Outside living rabbit

[Kiko_Bunny]

I'm getting a pet rabbit and my parents have said that it may only stay outside (with the exception of really hot or cold days). I have a two storey hutch for it to stay in and I will be getting a run but I am wondering if it's safe to have the rabbit outside 24/7.

Does anyone have experience with owning an outside rabbit? If so can you please give me some advice.

Thanks

 

[StormyB]

Make sure the run is covered so birds of prey don't come down and steal Bunny away. My Benny used to live on a farm where he was outside all the time and he's perfectly fine. He's an indoor bunny now, but he still LOVES being outside on his leash and harness. I generally go sit outside with him and tie his leash to a tree so he can hop around and still be supervised and safe while I read a book.

 

[majorv]

The rabbit should be okay in a hutch. You do need to use a tarp or something to cover it with when it's cold and windy. Will it be under a tree or other cover so that when it rains it doesn't get wet inside? That will happen if there's a wind also...even with a roof on the hutch

 

[Kiko_Bunny]

Yes, it's a movable hutch so if it rains we will just move him somewhere dry same with when it is too windy.

Thank you

 

[Bville]

Bringing them in on really hot days is a good idea, but bringing them in when its cold will only mess them up if they are used to being outside in the cold. They will grow a warm winter coat and if you bring them in the temperature change is too much for them and they will be hot and uncomfortable. Just leave them out all winter, but of course make sure their hutch is dry and out of the wind. If it's very stormy, putting their hutch in an unheated barn, garage, or shed would be okay though. My rabbits live outside and I put a bunch of straw in the bedroom part of their hutch for them to burrow into to stay warm. They really don't seem to mind the cold at all though and sometimes it gets below 0 degrees here (that's Fahrenheit).

 

[Watermelons]

You wont be out there with him 24/7 so you need to protect him from wind and rain before it happens and not when you realise its raining and then move him.