For most rabbit owners, you won’t need any additional fencing to create an exercise enclosure for your rabbit. Here are the minimum cage size requirements recommend by ARBA. When it comes to space, rabbits have basic requirements. In the wild they do this underground, tucked up snug and tight in a warm burrow. Providing at least a few hours of time for your rabbit to roam or play out of the exercise pen is important for his happiness and well-being. Tagged with: housing. Number: 5028498 It needs to be secure (this includes the underside) as a rabbit’s natural behaviour is to dig. Our understanding of the these guidelines are that the recommended sizes are actually for 2 rabbits as they do not recommend that anyone keeps one rabbit singly. A two-tiered hutch is particularly good, as it takes up less space and can be more fun for your rabbit to hop about in. Rabbit care – how much space do they need? How Much Space Do Rabbits Need? Rabbits need a minimum of 3 hours free-range time each day for them to run about, stretch their legs, and interact with each other and the family. Even free-roam rabbits like to have their own "room". By Natalie Riggs on April 14, 2018 This will enable them to stretch out to full height and they should be able to run around in it and not just walk around. June 1, 2019 Uncategorized Chris. ​According to the House Rabbit Society, "one guideline to go by is at least 8 square feet of enclosure space combined with at least at least 24 square feet of exercise space, for 1-2 rabbits, in which the rabbit(s) can run and play at least 5 hours per day." Two rabbits only need slightly more space than one rabbit and cost wise can even work out cheaper because you are more likely to buy supplies in bulk. If you can provide more space than this – two runs and a playpen, for example – all the better. Even with a house bunny, though, it is best to have a pen for the times when you can’t be there to supervise him. Giving your rabbit a variety of different toys can encourage them to be more active … Rabbits like to feel safe and secure, so it is important that you include in your hutch somewhere for him to hide out in: a shelter or b… To get the best service, choose the store closest to you. For example, it should be 6 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet high. It's no secret that young rabbits and bored rabbits can be naughty buns, It's okay to confine your rabbit to a safe space while you're away from home (chances are he will be snoozing anyway), but be prepared he will be ready to play and socialize when you get home. Even with the biggest, best enclosure packed with toys, chews, hides, and plenty of enrichment, rabbits will inevitably become bored if cooped up all the time. We have a neutered buck a doe and four babies (3 weeks) yet to be sexed. ​In sum, the cage should be at least five times his size when stretched out; bigger is better! Luckily, rabbits are content to spend a lot of time in what we would consider a confined space. According to the House Rabbit Society, "one guideline to go by is at least 8 square feet of enclosure space combined with at least at least 24 square feet of exercise space, for 1-2 rabbits, in which the rabbit (s) can run and play at least 5 hours per day." They may develop aggressive tendencies too. Minimum cage based on breed. Their cage should be at leastfive times your rabbit’s size when stretched out. Firstly, you'll need to look at where you rabbits will live a lot of the time. Pet rabbits can be taught to respond to commands using positive reward-based training. They are moderately active and thus will need plenty of cage height to jump and run around in during playtime (see how high Mini Rexes can jump in a previous question). One to two medium sized rabbits will need a cage/hutch space of at least 12 square feet, combined with a run of at least 27 square feet. Here are some rabbit care tips that will help you ensure they have enough space. Table 2 Contrary to popular belief, rabbits do not need salt licks, vitamins, or hard wooden objects to wear their teeth down. Here is an easy way to calculate how much room your rabbit needs: stretch your bunny out and measure them. A rabbit hutch and run set up fulfils these needs – and if those spaces are linked with rabbit pipes such as the The Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System, that’s even better, as it simulates the kind of environment a rabbit would enjoy in the wild. How Much Space Does A Rabbit Need In A Cage? Rabbits have excellent feed conversion rates, low startup costs, healthy meat and don't require much space. This is not a healthy option – a rabbit needs space to stretch out and move around a little, even in a hutch. To reinforce this sense of the hutch/cage/pen being a secure and cosy home, it’s best to buy something that will suit your pets’ needs when they are fully grown. That can come later. One to two medium sized rabbits will need a cage/hutch space of at least 1 square metre (about 12 square feet), combined with a run of at least 2.5 square metres (27 square feet). Rabbits also enjoy having their own home base. Some owners opt for a dog play pen rather than a traditional hutch and run set up. Rabbits need at least12 square feet of enclosure space. The RSPCA and RWAF suggested a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft minimum recommended space allowance. The longest stretch of the hutch or cage should be able to accommodate two rabbits lying down end-to-end, as a bare minimum. They can grow to be bigger than some dogs , and they are actually much better off being kept in a large dog crate with a smooth bottom than in a typical rabbit … Keep your rabbit healthy by following our health and welfare advice, including information about how to check your rabbit's health. Most sources on raising rabbits for meat say that 6 feet of space is adequate for a doe and her litter. If using a pen rather than a cage, the rabbits will need at least 30 square feet, including an internal hutch/sleeping space. How much space do 6 rabbits need? One guideline to go by is at least 8 square feet of enclosure space combined with at least at least 24 square feet of exercise space, for 1-2 rabbits, in which the rabbit (s) can run and play at least 5 hours per day. Like many other animals, the more space you can provide them, the better. Your rabbit's living space should include an enclosed sleeping area, space for a litter tray and feed/water bowls and room to move about and have a few toys. Keeping your bunnies as ' house rabbits ' makes it easier to give them a lot of space as they have the run of your house (or designated rooms). The minimum dimensions of your enclosure should be 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 m) wide, 2 feet (0.6 m) deep and about 3 feet (0.9 m) high. Link all the different bunny spaces together with rabbit pipes. In the past, owners tended to keep their pet bunnies in cramped hutches. This will keep him out of trouble, and also help with litter training. A room in your house will do just fine. How Much Space Do They Need? This should be a secure space where they can eat, sleep or hide if they are scared. A good rabbit run run should measure 8 ft by 4 ft at a minimum in order to give them a good amount of space to run around. Rabbits require a great deal of room to run around in. We recommend that the minimum size for two rabbits is at least 244cm (8ft) x 183cm (6ft) floor space by 91cm (3ft) tall. If you're game to let your rabbit join the family free-range style, by all means do so! Human and animal are no different – even the wild animals. This extra space is to allow for her babies (the kits are called grow-outs once they are weaned). We'll walk you through rabbit hutches, watering and feeding, best meat rabbit breeds, and basic care. The RWAF has existed since 1996 and is the combined effort of the Rabbit Welfare Association and its charity partner, the Rabbit Welfare Fund, working to improve the lives of domestic rabbits across the UK through education and communication by making people realise that rabbits are intelligent creatures that need space, exercise, companionship and stimulation and are not to be bought on a whim. You’ll want to make sure you bunny-proof the exercise area thoroughly, so your rabbit can’t get at any wires or chew on anything dangerous. Toys for rabbits. Making sure the bunnies feel safe is the key, rather than giving them endless space. You can buy from Small Pet Select anywhere in the world! Even though you may think the mini-lop is a small breed, they should still be given a large hutch or enclosure for plenty of exercise. VAT Number: GB837106436 Look for a large rabbit playpen or consider free roaming your rabbit. She says there should be enough room for you and your rabbit to both lay down fully stretched out in the enclosure without any head to foot squishing. A common misconception is that smaller breeds need less space than larger ones, but they actually need just as much room to run and hop around in. We don't plan on moving them all out together until the babies are weaned and neutered if needed. Remember – they may be domesticated, but even the cuddliest pet bunnies have their natural instincts intact. Some breeds have special needs that owners need to keep in mind. Equally importantly, it must be kept safe from predators at all times. Facebook; Whether you keep your rabbits indoors or out, it’s wise to make sure they have enough room to meet all their health and welfare needs. One to two medium sized rabbits will need a cage/hutch space of at least 1 square metre (about 12 square feet), combined with a run of at least 2.5 square metres (27 square feet). How much space does the grown up rabbit need? Rabbits have continuously growing teeth. Post author By Adityapuspa Putri Prameswari; Post date April 12, 2019; Housing is part a thing that you should prepare if you are a rabbit’s owner. If using a pen rather than a hutch/cage, provide a space of at least 2.75 square metres (30 square feet), as you will need to accommodate a sleeping space in there too. Every living things need a place to rest. Share. Angora rabbits, Heard says, are predisposed to hairballs because of their long fur and must be groomed regularly to prevent these. When you first bring your rabbit home, it may not be the best idea to give him free rein of the house. A rabbit's top front teeth grow at a rate of 3mm a week! Your rabbit should be able to hop 4 times from one side of the hutch/cage to the other. Your home and lifestyle, combined with your rabbit's personality and size, will determine his appropriate living arrangement. For example, you could buy a proper bale of hay from an agricultural feed store, rather than lots of expensive tiny bales from a pet shop. As long as your home is a safe space – no electric wires to chew, no cats and dogs on the loose, etc – this arrangement can work perfectly well. The NIC cage by itself is 18 square feet. If your rabbit is a larger breed, it may need more space. Living space. Rabbits are crepuscular, which means he will sleep at night and some during the day, but is ready to play at dusk and dawn. If you want to raise your own meat, consider rabbits. The fact that rabbit droppings are dry helps minimise the mess, but you will still need to toilet train them with cat-style litter trays. If they stay all day in a hutch or cage, their muscles will start to waste away, their health will suffer, and their lives will be shortened. The front of the hutch should be long enough for two rabbits to lie down end-to-end. If you breed your rabbits, you need a large cage for a nursing one to be able to accommodate it and its kits (have a space for a nesting box). The longest stretch of the hutch or cage should be able to accommodate two rabbits lying down end-to-end, as a bare minimum. They need somewhere to sleep and feel secure, and somewhere to exercise. Rabbits are cute and furry and friendly. A rabbit cage or hutch should be a minimum of 12 square feet in area. Rabbits need big areas to live in because there are many rabbits in one area at a time, and the rabbits need space to reproduce and they are going to need space for their young rabbits. Rabbits that are 100% confined need a much larger space to live and exercise. Post navigation At home, a rabbit hutch or rabbit cage fulfils the same function. It is essential that your rabbit has the room to stretch in all directions. The sides should be made of wire, not glass, because the bunny will need plenty of fresh air to flow through the cage. Do not offer rabbits plants, vegetation, or tree branches unless you are. Rabbits are active and will need an environment with plenty of room to hop, run, dig and stand fully upright on their back legs as well as stretch out when laying. If your bunnies don’t seem too interested in leaving the cage area during the day, don’t take this as a sign that they are not interested in the run. Rabbits that don't get out of a cage can even develop muscle atrophy. This is a great solution, as long as you provide a bolt hole inside the pen. One or two medium sized rabbits would require up to 1 square meter which is combined up to run 2.5 square meters. One to two medium bunnies need at least 1 square metre (about 12 square feet) cage/hutch space, plus a run of at least 2.5 square metres (27 square feet). Rabbits always need a safe space, a bolt hole, and a cosy space inside a pen fulfils that need. We are finding that the bigger your colony area is, the less room you need to allow for the rabbits each, within reason. The Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System is ideal. © Omlet 2004, 2015. The traditional cages are made up of with the wood that too with chicken wire mesh over the door so the rabbit can see out. This is the minimum space they require and only works for rabbits that have access to an exercise pen or larger open space. A free-ranging house rabbit isn’t to everyone’s taste, but many owners opt for it. There is no clear cut answer to the question “how big is a rabbit cage/hutch/pen?” It depends on the size of breed you have, the number of rabbits, and practical considerations such as the space you have available. Decide Why You Want To Raise Rabbits. Rabbits are often most active at dawn and dusk, something that mirrors their behaviour in the wild. I was unable to find any size guidelines for colony raising rabbits when I first started researching, so I started with all three rabbits in it. This is a good place to go to sleep at night, where your rabbit will feel safe and secure. Because of their size, Flemish Giant rabbits require much more food and much larger living space than a typical domestic rabbit. It is best to go with a pen during times your rabbit can't be supervised at least at first. Rather than purchasing a "starter cage," invest in something big enough for your rabbit once they are full grown. Living Space - Minimum 12 sq. sure they are not harmful. Teeth are kept worn to a proper length by the silicate and lignin content of grass and grass. However, you'll first want to make sure your home is safe and bunny-proofed, and may want to ease in to this arrangement gradually. You can build or buy your rabbit a two-story “condo” … Rabbits need to explore and to stretch their legs. Rabbits are intelligent. Mini Rex Rabbits, as mentioned previously, require much space if they are to be living within their cages most of the time. Please spread the love and share this with your friends!Every little bit helps. Dog exercise pens are a terrific solution. How much space does a rabbit need? The standard answer is 10 sq ft (1m2) per buck or non-breeding adult and 20 sq ft (2m2) per breeding doe. The longest side of the hutch or cage should be long enough to allow two rabbits to lie down end-to-end. In time, you'll figure out what works best for your family. Mary Cvetan, founder of the Pittsburgh House Rabbit Club, demonstrates enclosure size in her seminars by climbing in to an exercise pen and lying down on the floor. hays. They should also have at least24 square feet of exercisespace. ft. Company Reg. ​Housing rabbits isn't one size fits all. Their home base area needs to be at least 10 ft x 6 ft x 3ft (3m x 2m x 1m) for a pair of bunnies, … Rabbits don't do well cooped up in a cage all day, but it isn't practical to supervise their antics 24/7. There are hundreds … A secure and well-ventilated living place that's dry and draught free is essential for your rabbits' wellbeing.