Where can I keep my hutch??

[Maybur]

Hey everyone, I’m located in North Carolina and I’m new to rabbits. I have New Zealand and Rex rabbits right now. We live on a large property so I could find some shade and keep my hutches outdoors, I also have space in my insulated garage. I’m not sure which would be better for them. Please let me know with any advice! Thank you

 

[Her Farmstead Rabbitry]

Hi I am also in NC where are you at in NC? I raise Satins and New Zealands. My preference would definitely to keep my rabbits outside. If you kept them inside they would need good ventilation and poop would be a bigger problem. I have an outdoor wood and wire hutch with wire on all sides so they get plenty of ventilation and the poop falls straight to the ground.

 

[eco2pia]

I am not in NC but from what I hear, y'all got heat and humidity? Rabbit pee is like cat pee. Consider that in an insulated garage on a warm day... Definitely I would want them outside!!

 

[Drip baby girl]

Outside is not safe for bunny

 

[Martlet]

Outside is not safe for bunny

Almost everyone I know in my area keeps their hutches outside.

 

[eco2pia]

Outside is not safe for bunny

false.

 

[Rabbits By DK]

I personally would keep the rabbits outside for easier cleaning and ventilation. Also, then your garage doesn't smell like rabbit feces.

 

[Preitler]

Outside is not safe for bunny

I reckon letting them free roam outside, even on the meadow and forest at times (like I do) isn't perfectly safe but they have a great life (never lost one outside) , but in proper hutches, runs, etc. there is nothing that speaks against keeping them outside, I definitly think it's better and easier in temperate climates.

But, as said, it depends where. Heat, fricking winter storms, or predators like bears, fishers etc., or other bad circumstances need to be taken into account individually. Also it depends on what kind of operation it is.

Here, inside is either large scale comercial operations - which makes sense due to Myxo or RHD always being a threat, or pets. Or old time farmers that keep them in almost windowless, damp, bad ventilated rooms, in very small hutches (barely big enough to stretch out) have seen some of those too, poor creatures.

 

[Skai]

Hey everyone, I’m located in North Carolina and I’m new to rabbits. I have New Zealand and Rex rabbits right now. We live on a large property so I could find some shade and keep my hutches outdoors, I also have space in my insulated garage. I’m not sure which would be better for them. Please let me know with any advice! Thank you

There's not enough ventilation in an enclosed garage. The smell would build up and be horrendous, or your life would be spent cleaning up after them - daily - and then you would end up putting them outside anyway to preserve your sanity. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[dlynn]

Outside is not safe for bunny

Fresh air, sunshine, exercise entertainment... Outside is healthier for everything. My rabbits have group shelters and free access to yards. They choose when to be out or under cover. The whole area is fenced for safety...

 

[Rabbits by Accident]

Fresh air, sunshine, exercise entertainment... Outside is healthier for everything. My rabbits have group shelters and free access to yards. They choose when to be out or under cover. The whole area is fenced for safety...

Do you have any posts with pictures of your setup? I have been taking my rabbits out in the yard individually in a small fenced area and feel better about them. I would love to have a set up as you described. More info would be greatly appreciated but I do not want to hijack this thread.

Regarding OP - outdoors is fine. The buildup of ammonia from urine when they are in an enclosed space is very hard on the rabbits and unhealthy. They tolerate cold much better than heat. Make sure they always have shade. I was in Western North Carolina / Virginia area and they were fine outside. Good luck have fun!

 

[dlynn]

Do you have any posts with pictures of your setup? I have been taking my rabbits out in the yard individually in a small fenced area and feel better about them. I would love to have a set up as you described. More info would be greatly appreciated but I do not want to hijack this thread.

Regarding OP - outdoors is fine. The buildup of ammonia from urine when they are in an enclosed space is very hard on the rabbits and unhealthy. They tolerate cold much better than heat. Make sure they always have shade. I was in Western North Carolina / Virginia area and they were fine outside. Good luck have fun!

Hope it's not hijacking if it's all about housing. Yes I have shown pics and more detailed info. We keep adapting so here is a few more of what we have now.

 

[brittanyf]

I am also in NC and planning a hutch. I am between Greensboro, raleigh, and Durham. I'm wondering if you ever need to do anything to cover the cages in the winter.

Hi I am also in NC where are you at in NC? I raise Satins and New Zealands. My preference would definitely to keep my rabbits outside. If you kept them inside they would need good ventilation and poop would be a bigger problem. I have an outdoor wood and wire hutch with wire on all sides so they get plenty of ventilation and the poop falls straight to the groundI

 

[Her Farmstead Rabbitry]

I am also in NC and planning a hutch. I am between Greensboro, raleigh, and Durham. I'm wondering if you ever need to do anything to cover the cages in the winter.

I have wire on all sides of my cages. I put tarps around my cages when it is supposed to be really cold and windy. Rabbits are ok in the cold but the wind makes it a lot worse.

 

[brittanyf]

I have wire on all sides of my cages. I put tarps around my cages when it is supposed to be really cold and windy. Rabbits are ok in the cold but the wind makes it a lot worse.

Awesome. Thanks for replying. That was my plan. Do you have a nerd for fans in the summer?