There are many reasons why people choose to raise rabbits whether for food, their fur in some cases, or as pets. Rabbits can be easier to raise than chickens and can be more enjoyable. There are some tips on picking the right home for them, what to look for, and what features it should have.
A rabbit has needs just like any other pet. You need to provide it with a warm and dry shelter, plenty of food and water, and a healthy environment. They need to be up off the ground. Being off the ground prevents predators from getting at them, and in some cases even if the hutch is secure rabbits can die just from fright. Having it elevated also lets you have access to the hutch without having to bend down making feeding cleaning and moving the rabbits easier.
There are many different models and styles of rabbit hutches available. You also have options like buying one already made in a kit that you just put together using some basic tools and even complete plans and blueprints to make your own. Since you want a sturdy rabbit hutch, you should think about these choices. If you are not good at putting things together you might want to just buy a prefabricated one that is ready to move into. Know your limitations before starting any projects.
When you look for a rabbit hutch that is already made make sure that is made from treated wood and the wire mesh is coated with non toxic material so it will stand up to the weather and bugs. You want the bottom of the hutch where the animal will walk around to have mesh with spaces large enough for droppings to fall through but smaller than a baby rabbit can fall through. While you won't have messes on the walls, it should still be of a close weave.
Your rabbit hutch should have an easy to remove tray for the droppings so they can be put in your compost pile and used for fertilizer later. It should have a secure door in the front and one for the rabbits shelter. You should find a hutch that can be opened up really well so that you can clean the hutch out and have fast access to the animals if you need too. Make sure that the hole to the sleeping area is large enough not just for your small animal but also keep in mind that it will grow. You want this shelter to be warm and dry but try to find one with some kind of vent that you can close during the winter. You can save money by purchasing a unit with three mesh sides and a smaller secure space but make sure this is large enough for your rabbits. You will also want to purchase one with a covered top to protect against rain.
A couple of optional ideas include wheels mounted on one side of the hutch with handles so you can move it around. Another idea is to find one that is high enough to proved supply storage space underneath.
0 comments:
Post a Comment