Indoor hutch

[Heather Wallace]

I keep the rabbits hutches in a spare room, at the moment there are 3, one on top of the other, and it is making quite a mess. So what I've decided to do is buy a couple of indoor hutches where the rabbits can sleep at night, they are much more compact and won't let all of the saw dust escape on the floor, the other hutches can go outside so during the day the buns can get some fresh air etc, which i think will be much better for them.

What do you think, do think it is a good idea?

Does anyone have indoor hutches? Are they better tahn the old outdoor hutches?

Incase you are wondering who the black and white rabbit is, it's Ivory, he now has a new home.(one of the other babies that Bunny had).

[Daisylover]

I guess whatever works is fine. I know that's not much help. My buns have the run of the kitchen/dining room and a cage on the floor they can retreat to but the door is always open, so I have no experience. The only trouble I see is that sometimes bunnies ar threatened by a hand coming into a cage and lifting them out; it's usually better to open the door and let them come out on their own. But if your guys are used to being picked up and taken out it probably doesn't matter. Are you trying to litter train them? Any luck?

[Heather Wallace]

I put a litter tray out for the bunny girls yesterday as I let them out to run around for a while in both rooms. I took them over to it and showed them what it was for but no luck I'm afraid. The good thing is they only seem to poo in the room where their hutch is which is good I suppose.

I am going to buy two new indoor hutches tonight, which means the old style wooden one can go outside - the buns can use them and there run during the day.

[Daisylover]

Have you tried putting some hay in a pile at one end of the litter trays? That usually works very well.....or a favorite food, like parsley. It may take them a few days to find it...for all that they are supposed to have such a great sense of smell, I find that my buns often can't find the carrot i put right in front of them. They are limited in their frontal vision..they have a blind spot directly in front of their nose, which is why the often jump and run away, growl, or charge at you if you come at them too fast. Keep trying, patience is the answer, I promise!

[Heather Wallace]

I am so excitted, I go one of the indoor hutches and the girls are settling in to it now.

It looks so much nicer than the old wooded hutches.

I shall post a pic when I get them.

[Sam's My Baby]

If you are having trouble litter training your bunnies, here is a great link that might help you:
http://exoticpets.about.com/library/blrabbitlt.htm
I used to have a rabbit, and so did my friend up the street (and still does), and she litter trained her rabbit all by herself, so I am sure you can too.

[Bunnicula05]

Indoor hutches are SO much better! Let me tell you! They can get in and out of them whenever they want. I actually bought an indoor hutch and then went and bought a dropping pan and basically, their cage is their giant litter box. It's a pain to clean though. That's why I clean the one corner they go in every night. To eliminate odor and to keep it from looking gross. But they are really much better in the long run. A tip for litter box training: put their litter box where they seem they like to go, even if it's behind the couch or something.

[Heather Wallace]

Thanks everyone, I don't know if they like their new hutch, suppose they will get used to it. I put a litter tray in the new hutch but had to move it as they didn't like it where it was. they done good though.

I had cadbury out last night for a cuddle, he was jumping about on the sofa, I had a little plastic tray there by chance and guess what? He done a pee in it, I was really happy about it - at least I didn't have to clean it up eh?

[Sam's My Baby]

Yay! Im glad he is finally catching on!

[Daisylover]

Yeah Cadbury, you are THE man!!!! Now teach everyone else.

Actually Heather, you've got some great tips from everyone. I think it's just going to take patience and some time. It usually takes young buns a while to figure out it really is not very cool to have their poo and pee just in any old place. I'm confident that they will catch on.

The director at the sanctuary mentioned last week that sometimes adolescents who may have been litter trained, regress somewhat when their hormones kick in. She said that they usually refigure it out. Here's hoping to a successful transformation at your house!!!

[Heather Wallace]

Daisy thanks, with this new indoor hutch the girls use their litter tray most of the time, si when they are in their run today i will put the tray in with them see how they go, will let you all know.

The 2 boys go for their neutering op next week so I am hoping that will calm them down a great deal. After which I am hoping they will be friends again. Also they will be getting anew indoor hutch just like th girls have.

[Daisylover]

Heather,
You are such a maniac when it comes to your bunnies, I just love it! It is VERY reassuring to know that I am not the only one who spoils my bunnies outrageously!!!!

Just out of curiousity, what is the difference between and indoor hutch and an outdoor hutch?

[Heather Wallace]

I would say this is an outdoor hutch

[Heather Wallace]

I haven't seen that pic in so long, that was taken when I split Bunny up from 4 of her babies, leaving only Ebony and Twinkle.

Anyway an indoor hutch is ine with a plastic botton and caged top with no cover.

The outdoor hutch in the last pic has a woodfram and top, weather protection.

[Daisylover]

Ok, I see...the outdoor is on legs, while the indoor hutch sits on the floor!!! Duh!

Sometimes I'm a little slow. Thanks!