Why a hutch is not enough...inadequate rabbit accommodation

[campod3]

Oh also at 5:18 it's not my hutch but it looks just like mine... My grandpa built mine and I have to rabbits I rescued from the shelter and there a girl and a boy both fixed I have a big enough cage for a 3rd bunny but i don't know ida it's okay to have 3 bunnies together but they would all be fixed?

[HappyHoppersForum]

@campod3 Groups of three can work, but you do risk upsetting the bond between the two you already have, potentially creating a situation where you have 3 single buns that won't bond. I would ask if it's worth that risk?

And yes, they would all need to be fixed, and the new bun, if male, cannot be introduced to the paif for at least 4, pref. 6 weeks, as he will still have testosterone in his system, which could impregnate.

Let me know :)

[campod3]

Sorry I feel really bad for saying that I watched some of your other videos and you guys know alot and take good care of your buns... Also one of my bunnies full nail came right off and its really painful for him. It's not bleeding and I clean it ever 2 days I think it will grow back.???

[HappyHoppersForum]

@campod3 Thanks, it can be quite disheartening when you're trying to get the right info out there and come under attack! poor bun, but yes, the nail will re-grow. You need to keep it really clean though to avoid infection. Bathe it in warm salty water 2-3 times a day, and if you have a baby nappy rash cream (in the UK, we use 'Sudocrem) that is disinfectant, you could apply that.

[campod3]

Pause at 5:18 looks like my rabbit hutch so your saying hutchs are bad when u COULD just say don't have small hutchs

[HappyHoppersForum]

@campod3 Hi, at no point have we said that hutches are bad, I've re-watched the video and can't see that anywhere. What we are saying is that hutches that are too small do not meet the health and psycological needs of domestic rabbits, as a hutch on it's own is not enough. A large hutch with exercise area, such as the one you have, is fine, and what we are trying to raise awareness of.

Anne McBride sstates this quite clearly when talking about both indoor and outdoor accommodation.

[RayGirl0214]

I have a quick question and it has nothing to do with this video, but my rabbit is 1 years of age. And i had got him from a pet store. Umm just recently he has started to mount and hump things in my house while hes out to play he has even tried to hump my cat. im just wonder if this is normal? The pet store owner had told me that all of the rabbits are fixed. does this mean that he isnt/? or is it just a normal thing.. ? I really want to know, i would like to know what u think! thank you...

[HappyHoppersForum]

@RayGirl0214 Hi, sorry for late reply, been away. They do hump things, even when neutered, but it's strange that he's started doing this at a year old. Boys mature at 10-12 weeks, and you expect to see this then. You can easily check if he's neutered, by looking! 'Plums' are usualy fairly easy to see.

It is unuusual for a pet store to fix rabbits, as it adds to their costs, but he may well be. I'd speak to your vey about him if you're unsure.

[Elle7491]

I currently live with my mum so working around her to get the best hutch is hard with the way our garden works. My rabbit lives in a homemade hutch that our neighbor made. About 4 feet long. She has lived in it since the summer and everyday she is let out to run around the whole garden and is put back when it gets dark. But from my bedroom window I can see it is not big enough and it makes me sad. So for my Christmas present I am allowed a bigger hutch :) Then I can get her a buddy too

[HappyHoppersForum]

@Elle7491 Hi Elle, Thanks for your message, and I'm thrilled for you and your bun that her accommodation and single status will change after Christmas! Most owners start with something too small, but it's realising that, and changing it that is important, so well done!

There's lots more videos on the channel that will help, including one on bonding rabbits, and you'll find lots of info in our on-line magazine, hopping mad (google it!)

Best wishes, and give your bun a nose rub from us! ^,^

[DorsetGeezer]

I agree, when you want to get a rabbit from the RSPCA places they have strict min requirements such as minimum 6foot long 2 and half depth with Under or ATTACHED RUN.... I attached a 5 foot hutch to the bottom underun of a double deck 6 foot, so the under run is now 10 foot, which then goes out via a Bun Flap into a 5 x 7 foot run!!If you check MY VIDEOS you will see it I even have anti fly netting covering it all, and insulation for winter, and made weather clear panel's to protect

[HappyHoppersForum]

@DorsetGeezer Thanks for your contribution, I agree that there is always scope for flexibility with accommodation, provided that owners are aware of the need for space.

These videos are partly made to help better inform new and potentially new owners, who may go the pet store, buy a bun and a typically sized, cheaper hutch or cage.

We have to work with the most common denominators.

Your set up sounds amazing, I will have a good look at your vids.

Was there really any reason to shout at me?

[DorsetGeezer]

@HappyHoppersForum LOL, sorry did I shout...did not realise :-/

[silversky2668]

I am SO happy you posted this video! It's so sad that such active animals get shut in tiny cages and hutches for their whole lives.

[TheHazzamb]

Hello. are double hutches better?

[HappyHoppersForum]

@TheHazzamb If you mean double layered hutchs, then no, unless each layer is 6' long. 2 x 3' equals 6', but 3' isn't enough room to make 3 hops, per rabbit. they need length to run and hop around in, Hope that helps.

[Hoppit89]

This video is amazing! If every rabbit owner watched it and took it on board the world would be a better place.

[HappyHoppersForum]

@Hoppit89 Thank-you, I'm glad you found it good, please pass it on :)

[happysaz133]

Brilliant video, I wish more people would see how to take correct care of their rabbits!

[HappyHoppersForum]

@happysaz133 Thank-you and I hope this film helps achieve that, please pass it on :)

[animalforever123]

I have the same hutch as you and the fox opened the bottom bit where you're suppose to use to clean, they're rubbish hutches.

[HappyHoppersForum]

@animalforever123 They sure are! Stewie has this as a summer house, it's on a blacony, so no predators here, but I wouldn't house him in it if he lived outdoors :)

[animalforever123]

@HappyHoppersForum We have now put the hutch on a table quite high, what do you think? Is it safe from predators?

[HappyHoppersForum]

@animalforever123 Shoudl be, as long as a fox can't get a grip on the table, shoudl be ok :)

[shanski2011]

my rabbit is indoor/outdoor. his hutch and his indoor enclosure are very big and they both give him plenty of room to stand and move . and on the contrary- i pay full attention to my rabbit - i love him to pieces !

[HappyHoppersForum]

@shanski2011 Sounds wonderful :) I'm not sure why you're saying 'on the contrary..' - to what? Glad you love your bunny, they're special creatures ^.^

[purpllgirll]

Here in Australia we are fighting to get the mixo vaccine as they are seen as a pest not a pet and there is a organisation in Melbourne called the Rabbit Run Orphanage who do wonderful work for all buns, rehousing them and fighting to have it law to register and desex your pets and also fighting to allow use of the mixo vaccine for our pet buns. You can find them on facebook or bunspace and sign the petition to help save the rabbit run, they need your help. Thanx for reading :)

[GrahamThompson99]

Great work Anne. Humans call small spaces like that prisons and use them to punish people for breaking the rules of society .. what law have rabbits broken?

[HappyHoppersForum]

@GrahamThompson99 Thanks, and very true.  I'll pass your comment on to Anne :)

[donnerprinzessin]

@GrahamThompson99 : Good point. I would go a bit further and say nearly all rabbit hutches sold by pet stores are more like those medieval cages they put condemned prisoners, rather than a liveable prison cell. What really makes me want to puke are those stupid "heartshaped" doorknobs they put on the hutch doors as if those instruments of rabbit torture have anything to do with love. My rabbit has a room of her own indoors and an outdoor playpen.

[smileyme1997]

My bunnies are free-ranging during the day, but put away before mozzies come out (we don't have the myxo vaccine in Australia). Their cage/hutch is about 1m high, then 1m x 2m. They are happy bunnies :) And we might be getting a meat farm rescue bunny, too. In which case we'll have to get a new cage.

[HappyHoppersForum]

@smileyme1997 What steps do you take to prevent mozzie bites? Hope you got your rescue bun, wonderful!

[sdrb2011]

I totally agree! It's shocking how some Bunnies and Piggies have to live. It's ridiculously unfair.

At 05:35, if you have something like this, be aware that Birds of prey, or even a Cat or Fox does get in and eat/hurt your Rabbit or Guinea Pig, if you leave it unattended.

[WallyBellPepsiFeebee]

Great video! It's great how many people are helping to spread the word about real bunny care!:) I really loved this video, the message is brilliant!

I am also a member of the collab marleyNfriends is a member of, and if I can work out how, will happily post a video of my buns shed and run as a video responce.:) A hutch certainly is not enough. :)

[HappyHoppersForum]

@WallyBellPepsiFeebee Thanks for your comments, it's encouraging to know that the films are well received :D

[HappyHoppersForum]

@marleyNfriends Sure, it all helps, but all video responses are approved before posting. Thank-you for your comments and help ^.^

[HappyHoppersForum]

@marleyNfriends Thank-you :) Did you see the magazine article this comes from? (check the video notes for 'Hopping Mad link) Glad to hear Dolly is ok now, and their new place sounds fantastic !

[vixitrixalina]

nice video :)

I have my girls in my bedroom - we have an indoor cage like the one you have for Stewie (who is GORGEOUS by the way!) and a 36" dog crate, and there is a door open policy - they are never locked in the cages unless they're fighting. actually i lie, they were spayed a few days ago so currently share the dog crate with a partition whist they recover. once they're bonded again the cage will go and they'll share the crate as a place to eat, drink, feel safe and use the litter tray.

[HappyHoppersForum]

@vixitrixalina Thanks for the comment, I hope it all works out with the re-bond :)

Stewie doesn't actually live in a cage, he hjas his own room.. well, he lives in the office, but has free roam of the place when we're here ^.^

[vixitrixalina]

@HappyHoppersForum thanks for responding :) the re-bond is going well actually, but of course its early days yet :)

ooh lucky Stewie - i think they're so much better off being in the house :)

the hutch you have at the begining - i actually have the same hutch for one of my guinea pigs. he's a fairly large guinea pig, and i still worry he doesn't have enough space so as often as possible i allow him to play in a pen in the garden, or in the house.

[HappyHoppersForum]

@vixitrixalina They are tiny aren''t they? Stewie has that 'Summer house' as a place to go and get some rays in the summer, but that's all. He has access to the balcony when we're in. Glad re-bond is going ok, always a worry!

[vixitrixalina]

@HappyHoppersForum yep it is small, like i said it's only just big enough to house one guinea pig, and even then i try to get him out as much as possible. how people could put a rabbit in there for long periods of time is beyond me! I was hand-feeding Izzy and Bubbles some cabbage last night and got them to stand up like Stewie did - they're Netherland dwarfs and yet stretched out they're so tall! when I put Bubbles in the cage she can bump her nose on the top too. hutches are not enough!