2 Does together

Question
Hello, I was so impressed with your answer to my first question I am going to ask another one.  I am planning on getting two does from 2 seperate litters can I keep them in the same hutch or do you recommend the double hutch.  The only draw back I see on the double hutch is that the size of the cage for each bunny doesn't seem big enough.  The hutch dimmensions are 45x37x51. The other way is to get two small hutches but then that gets pretty expensive. Please help? What do I buy? Thanks again Roxy

Answer
I always house my rabbits in separate cages.  They just seem happier when they can see other rabbits, but don't have to share their space.  If you are planning on breeding separate cages are NECESSARY as the mother can be over protective enough of her kits to kill them herself or the other will try to.  Either way a doe must raise her litter alone.

Requires cage space varies depending on the size of the rabbits.  My biggest rabbits are my Californians and New Zealands, of which one is approximately 20 pounds (a rather large bunny).  Her cage is a 30" X 30" and she has free roam (meaning there isn't anything in the cage but her) since I hang my continuous feeder and water bottle on the outside of the cage.  The smallest cage I have used for any length of time is a 24" X 24" or something close to it.  Since I am not sure which measurement is your heighth I will speculate...

   If your finished cages when you separate them will be
   45" X 25.5" and you are speaking of rabbits that will   
   mature at 8-10 pounds then your cage space will be fine.
   If your finished cages will be 37" X 25.5" and the
   rabbits will mature at less than 8 pounds (or so) then
   you are fine.  These sizes will also be OK for a doe
   and her litter, but only to the 6 week age when they
   should begin weaning anyway.

With two rabbits you will have the option and oppertunity to let them out to run, but this is not necessary.  I mention this only to remind you of that option.  Since I have 25 or more at times, you can imagine that this is not an option for me and mine are caged all the time with the occasional loving and hugging now and then.

Hope this all makes sense and helps you make a decision.

Brenda