Do You Keep Your Rabbits INDOORS or OUTDOORS?

[Flockincrazy]

I have 3 rabbits they are inside/outside bunnies they are outside during the day and come in at night they love it we take them out in the morning when we go out to feed and bring them in at night when the chickens and ducks go in to bed they are in with my flock during the day in the run

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Thanks so much!! Yours is super cute too!!

Thank you! ❤

 

[Phneyda]

My rabbits never live outside. They are pets. To me pets should live in the home where you can keep an eye on them as much as possible. I had a medium sized rabbit in law school and he had run of my 2 bdrm apartment. He played with my dog and my cat, ate salad right off my plate, and was just a character. He never got to go outside off a leash because I lived on the second floor.
My rabbit now is a tiny dwarf named Bambi. He doesn’t really like me or other rabbits, but loves guinea pigs so after 3 rabbit cage mates that did not work out we now let him live with 2 guinea pigs. The three of them live in a 2x4 C&C with a 2x1 second floor only accessible to Bambi when he wants to get away from the piggies. They have a play pen for outdoor time which has been plentiful since I’ve been working from home since March. They go out in the morning and come in at night. They are right in front of the house and we keep an eye on them all day.
I don’t think it’s innately bad to keep pets outside IF it’s better for them not b/c it’s convenient to you. My turtle spends all Summer outside in a pond. For him, being outside is better because I couldn’t get him as much sun and enrichment indoors as he gets when he’s outside in the Summer. Plus turtles are pretty good at avoiding predators. I’ve just never seen an outdoor rabbit habitat that I can actually pull off that would be better for my rabbits than an indoor habitat I can make. If you have the space and money isn’t an issue or you are super handy I’ve seen some awesome man-made rabbit warrens.
If your animals are livestock, not pets, then it doesn’t much matter whether they live indoors vs outdoors. Farmers and homesteaders expect some losses.

 

[Littlefrenchyinbigtexas]

I have 3 rabbits they are inside/outside bunnies they are outside during the day and come in at night they love it we take them out in the morning when we go out to feed and bring them in at night when the chickens and ducks go in to bed they are in with my flock during the day in the run

They are so cute. What kind of rabbits are they?

 

[DrakeMom]

When I had more than one rabbit a few years ago, I kept all three outside until one died of heatstroke. So then the other two moved inside and mainly stayed in their cages. They both eventually passed, so my new rabbit is spoiled and gets to roam my bedroom whenever I’m home.
But anyway, I think keeping rabbits outside is good for helping control their smell and it gives them natural sunlight, fresh air, fresher grass/plants to eat, and probably a better immunity to the stuff outside. Indoor rabbits don’t really get natural sunlight or fresh air unless they are brought outside (which is kinda a pain to do). But inside, they are safer from predators. But yeah, keeping rabbits in cages isn’t necessarily cruel, for it’s kind of like a form of protection from some of the dangers they might face.

Love this post! Just started reading the thread... when I first saw the title I thought "oh no... here comes lots of controversy..."

 

[MageofMist]

Not bunnies but another commonly hutch-kept specie, the guinea pig. I keep mine indoors as they are sensitive to heat and cold and it is far easier to control temperature whilst indoors. You also don't need to fret over predators and possible diseases as much whilst they are housed indoors as well. Also as long as you give them time to roam around and burn off energy, which also counts as bonding/cuddle time, they should do fine.

 

[DogAndCat36]

I don't own a rabbit but I think that indoor free roam is best because rabbits need a lot of space and they are prey animals. My gram's rabbit died of a heart attack when a fox flung itself at the hutch. Temperature regulation is also much better. Also, in my opinion, what is the point of having a rabbit as a pet if it is just going to be outside, unsocialized and bored. In opinion rabbits raised outside have sucky lives, my gram's rabbit had a sad, horrible life and I wish that I spoke up.
Trust me it is more enjoyable for both rabbit and owner to live together if you can free roam indoors. My aunt had a free roamed rabbit and she was such a sweet cuddly lop.

Please do not think of this as an attack towards outdoor rabbit owners, just a recommendation. If you are curious about free-roaming I recommend to watch Lennon the Bunny on youtube.