Rabbit Hutches Designs

Rabbit Hutches Designs: At this very moment in history there is a sizeable world-wide revolution happening in our backyards.  City folk are intentionally creating the countryside and the country lifestyle in their backyards.  I suppose this is not surprising when we remember that less than one century ago most of our relatives were rural dwellers. It seems like we have migrated to cities, but still miss aspects of our country roots.

The backyard revolution is three pronged.

1. Via urban agriculture.  This is where gardening efforts produce food for self-consumption or for sale. In some areas (council permitting) poultry is also being introduced.
2. Others are sharing their backyards with wild birds, possums, squirrels and the like.  This is done by providing living boxes, and safe feeding areas.  For example, a particular seeded grass may be grown to attract a particular type of bird.
3. Other families are choosing to raise ‘wild’ animals as pets. At the top of this option is the ever popular rabbit. Two or three rabbits hopping around the backyard really do provide the ultimate finishing touch to a countrified city backyard.

Without a doubt the fastest way to bring a piece of the countryside to your city backyard is to add two or three rabbits to your family.  If you have children this will be a very popular option.  Once that decision has been made you need to consider some rabbit living space. In the wilderness bunnies live in underground burrows.  Domesticated rabbits live in hutches. There is not one rabbit hutch which fits all situations. There are some things to consider before buying a rabbit hutch.

Here is a list of features that you will need to consider:

• Three rabbits are about right for most backyards.
• Exercise space.
• Feeding space.
• Sleeping space.
• Raising young space.
• Shelter from the weather.
• Predator protection. (Many cities still have snakes and hawks.)
• Do you need a mobile hutch?
• Quality of materials. Hutches might spend ten years or more exposed to the elements.
• Cost.

A few other things you might find help. Many people buy rabbit hutches online, for convenience sake.  I would suggest this as a wise option.

Buy a pre-made hutch.  Do NOT buy a kit hutch.  A pre-made hutch will come fully assembled or in some cases need a minimal amount of simple assembly.  Kit hutches quickly become an ongoing nightmare. Yes, I discovered this the hard way!

In regards to space; if you give your rabbits plenty of time out of the hutch on a daily basis, then the hutches do not need to be too large.  In fact, rabbits take comfort from small confined spaces.  Remember, their natural shelter is a tiny burrow.

Finally, a well-designed rabbit hutch will resolve most, if not all, of the above issues.

So get the kids to help you sketch out your ideal rabbit hutch design (disregard the bunny hot tubs, shopping mall and helipad). You should be able to confidently purchase a pre-built, high quality, value-for-money rabbit hutch which suits your backyard situation. 

Viva la backyard revolution!