Rabbit hutch floor

[Yo Yo Oreo]

Hello everyone!

I have been looking all over and can't find the answer to this question. For my first couple rabbit hutches I used this 1/2" X 1" 16 gauge wire I was able to find at TSC. They only had one roll and haven't gotten more in stock since though. I can see that a Lowes nearby has 1" X 1" wire floor and I am wondering if that would be ok for an adult rabbit? (It is also 16 gauge, no one nearby sells 14 gauge that I can find) Or is that floor size too large for them? I could order some 1/2 X 1 from Home Depot but it won't get to me until Aug 7 or so if I ordered today.

I could also get 1/2 X 1/2 hardware cloth but I believe that is 19 gauge. It might be worth noting I am looking at getting either some holland lops, which get 4-5 pounds, or french angoras which, if I remember right, get around 8-9 pounds? What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

We use the half inch hardware cloth for our meat rabbit brooder so it should be okay for Holland lops

 

[EverythingDucks]

I wouldn't use wire because they can hurt the rabbits feet. As you probably know, rabbits don't have paw pads on their feet like cats and dogs. It can be very painful for the rabbit and it can get infected easily. A lot of times you won't notice when the rabbit is in pain since they are prey to many animals, so they hide any symptoms.
I'm guessing these are for meat? I would recommend using wood, though most people use 14 gauge.

 

[FloorCandy]

With small breeds like that I would stick to 1/2 x 1. I would also recommend getting the pvc coated wire as it’s smoother and the pee will damage the wire in the favorite areas. It’s easier to clean, lasts longer, and is gentler on the feet. Only for the floor though, they will chew and ruin it on the walls.

 

[Compost King]

With small breeds like that I would stick to 1/2 x 1. I would also recommend getting the pvc coated wire as it’s smoother and the pee will damage the wire in the favorite areas. It’s easier to clean, lasts longer, and is gentler on the feet. Only for the floor though, they will chew and ruin it on the walls.

I agree with that, although i do not get the coated stuff my self it is better than the non coated.

 

[Yo Yo Oreo]

I wouldn't use wire because they can hurt the rabbits feet. As you probably know, rabbits don't have paw pads on their feet like cats and dogs. It can be very painful for the rabbit and it can get infected easily. A lot of times you won't notice when the rabbit is in pain since they are prey to many animals, so they hide any symptoms.
I'm guessing these are for meat? I would recommend using wood, though most people use 14 gauge.

No they won't be for meat actually. I tried that and I found it just wasn't for me They would be for providing fertilizer with their manure and the angora rabbits would be brushed often to collect their fur. My thinking with wires, with angora especially, is to keep their long fur clean and help prevent mats from forming.

With small breeds like that I would stick to 1/2 x 1. I would also recommend getting the pvc coated wire as it’s smoother and the pee will damage the wire in the favorite areas. It’s easier to clean, lasts longer, and is gentler on the feet. Only for the floor though, they will chew and ruin it on the walls.

Good to know thank you! I'll have to see if I can find any pvc coated stuff, it's been a challenge to find any wire that size around me lately. I guess if I order it in anyways I'll just check the price different for the pvc coated stuff.

 

[RoosterML]

With small breeds like that I would stick to 1/2 x 1. I would also recommend getting the pvc coated wire as it’s smoother and the pee will damage the wire in the favorite areas. It’s easier to clean, lasts longer, and is gentler on the feet. Only for the floor though, they will chew and ruin it on the walls.

X2

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Angoras need to be brushes at least twice a day. Wire won't stop mats from forming

 

[EverythingDucks]

(Please keep in mind this is just what I would do, and I'm just listing facts, I'm sure you know about most of this )

Personally, I would keep them free ranged indoors as pets and litter train them as an easy way to use their manure. That way you could be sure they wouldn't be getting matted and keep an eye on them. Their fur would also stay cleaner and healthier inside. This would also be way less expensive.
Two of the main reasons they are not kept inside is allergies, though often it's from Timothy hay (you could instead switch to Orchard Grass which is also less dusty). And, I'm pretty sure, Angora's are one of the more hypoallergenic breeds.
The second reason is the smell. Rabbits are actually very clean, and groom them-selves more than cats. Their poop is dry and doesn't stink, it's the pee that does. By litter training, and of course cleaning it regularly, it doesn't really smell at all. Fixed rabbits can be litter trained much much easier than ones that are not. Litter training is very easy, and usually only takes a few days to teach. Having a good size litter box (like a hooded cat box), and putting the right amount of hay and litter will really speed up the process.

I hope you find this useful, this is just my opinion though