First time rabbit owner

[Brylea]

I know many people say to not have their rabbits outside, but I’ve also heard the complete opposite. Where I am getting the rabbits from they are currently living on a farm in a barn. I’m getting two 7 month old Flemish giant cross’s. I built a rabbit hutch two stories and it provides an area for them to go on the grass. I also have an area where they can have shelter. There cage has the back tinned and also the roof, and I used hardware cloth for the fencing. I have already bought a bunch of enrichment items and I’m planning on litter training them. Don’t worry they are big cat litter boxes. My main concerns are that I live out in the country and I have chickens, dogs, and a horse. The dogs aren’t a concern at all because they are golden retrievers and they are trained to not go after any of our chickens or ducks. Since I live in the country though I am concerned about predators. Right now I don’t have a door for the enclosed area of the hutch and was wondering if that would be a necessity for them. I haven’t put one on yet because I just want them to have as much room as possible. Also if there is some spray I could get to spray around the perimeter of the hutch to keep them away. Another concern was when it thunders, because I don’t want them to get startled, but I know that some rabbits aren’t fazed by storms. I have been really worried and I just want to be able to give them the best life and provide them with everything they need. Another thing was that my horse is eating hay that has some alfalfa but is mainly dried grass. I was planning on giving them that instead of Timothy, would that be okay? All of the treats and foraging mixes I have gotten them are all Timothy hay. I’ve been doing research for months and these were just a couple things I couldn’t quite find the right answer to.

 

[mammasue]

I have had rabbits for years mine have always lived out doors. They have safe covered area and a large run. Please be advised rabbits dig and burrow. If they are out side and have access to dirt they will dig. I had to burry welded wire throughout the entire run to keep my girls from escaping lol. Learned the hard way when I came home one day and they were asleep under the trampoline and the swing set with my cats lol.

 

[mammasue]

I know many people say to not have their rabbits outside, but I’ve also heard the complete opposite. Where I am getting the rabbits from they are currently living on a farm in a barn. I’m getting two 7 month old Flemish giant cross’s. I built a rabbit hutch two stories and it provides an area for them to go on the grass. I also have an area where they can have shelter. There cage has the back tinned and also the roof, and I used hardware cloth for the fencing. I have already bought a bunch of enrichment items and I’m planning on litter training them. Don’t worry they are big cat litter boxes. My main concerns are that I live out in the country and I have chickens, dogs, and a horse. The dogs aren’t a concern at all because they are golden retrievers and they are trained to not go after any of our chickens or ducks. Since I live in the country though I am concerned about predators. Right now I don’t have a door for the enclosed area of the hutch and was wondering if that would be a necessity for them. I haven’t put one on yet because I just want them to have as much room as possible. Also if there is some spray I could get to spray around the perimeter of the hutch to keep them away. Another concern was when it thunders, because I don’t want them to get startled, but I know that some rabbits aren’t fazed by storms. I have been really worried and I just want to be able to give them the best life and provide them with everything they need. Another thing was that my horse is eating hay that has some alfalfa but is mainly dried grass. I was planning on giving them that instead of Timothy, would that be okay? All of the treats and foraging mixes I have gotten them are all Timothy hay. I’ve been doing research for months and these were just a couple things I couldn’t quite find the right answer to.

Oh and alfalfa is fine for them to use as foraging but I use that more in the winter and use Timothy in the summer. However if I need to I just use our Bahia grass hay and never had any issues

 

[Brylea]

I have had rabbits for years mine have always lived out doors. They have safe covered area and a large run. Please be advised rabbits dig and burrow. If they are out side and have access to dirt they will dig. I had to burry welded wire throughout the entire run to keep my girls from escaping lol. Learned the hard way when I came home one day and they were asleep under the trampoline and the swing set with my cats lol.

did you shut them up at night? Or did you let them roam through there hutch? I’m debating if I should shut them up at night like I do with my chickens.

 

[mammasue]

did you shut them up at night? Or did you let them roam through there hutch? I’m debating if I should shut them up at night like I do with my chickens.

I do not shut them up at night because they actually rest a lot burning the day and if I go out at night they usually running around. But my hutch and run are fully enclosed with welded wire and a tin roof.

 

[Brylea]

I do not shut them up at night because they actually rest a lot burning the day and if I go out at night they usually running around. But my hutch and run are fully enclosed with welded wire and a tin roof.

Do you think mine will be safe with hardware cloth as fencing, tin roof and the whole back side tinned as well, and the hutch is anchored into the ground? Keeping in mind I do live in the country

 

[mammasue]

did you shut them up at night? Or did you let them roam through there hutch? I’m debating if I should shut them up at night like I do with my chickens.

I’m actually waiting on my 3rd generation to be born. My sweet daisy mae died randomly one day I still have her daughter who I decided to breed to so I can keep the family going.

 

[mammasue]

Do you think mine will be safe with hardware cloth as fencing, tin roof and the whole back side tinned as well, and the hutch is anchored into the ground? Keeping in mind I do live in the country

You know your area better than I do. I live on a farm my rabbits and chickens are against the woods. And I have never had issue with the rabbits being taking by predators. Now I do have dog they barks if anything comes in the yard. I also went to Walmart and bought solar powered motion lights that are up around my chicken coop and one point towards my rabbits. But just like chickens you need make sure nothing can dig into the rabbits and make sure they can’t dig out

 

[mammasue]

 

[Brylea]

You know your area better than I do. I live on a farm my rabbits and chickens are against the woods. And I have never had issue with the rabbits being taking by predators. Now I do have dog they barks if anything comes in the yard. I also went to Walmart and bought solar powered motion lights that are up around my chicken coop and one point towards my rabbits. But just like chickens you need make sure nothing can dig into the rabbits and make sure they can’t dig out

Thank you so much for the feedback! I do have a motion light for my chicken coop, which is right next to my rabbit hutch. I might have to look into figuring out how to make sure they don’t dig out, and nothing digs in!