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

Rabbit expert Anne McBride talks us through 'Why a hutch is not enough'.
Anne is the author of 'Why Does My Rabbit...'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Why-Does-Rabbit-Anne-McBride

and 'Rabbits and Hares'
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rabbits-Hares-Anne-McBride

and a patron of the Rabbit Welfare Association and fund (RWAF)

This video was made exclusively for 'Hopping Mad!' bunny magazine, http://www.hoppingmad.org

This film was made to support the RWAF's campaign ' A hutch is not enough'
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/ahutchisnotenough.htm and features in 'Hopping Mad!'


We are very grateful to Anne for her time and support in making this film.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• anne mcbride rwaf
• rabbit hutch
• 'a
• hutch
• is
• not
• enough'
• 'rabbit
• cage'
• welfare'
• accommodation'
• 'house
• rabbit'
• tricks'

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

@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! ^,^

[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