A Good Rabbit Hutch and Choosing Rabbits

1A good rabbit hutch

A hutch is a small house for rabbits. A good hutch:

• stands on legs, off the ground, so it stays dry and rats, snakes, dogs and cats cannot reach the rabbits;
• has a strong roof that keeps out rain and hot sun, and walls that block cold wind;
• has walls or doors of wire mesh, so fresh air and light come in;
• has a floor of wire mesh or wooden slats, so droppings and urine fall through and the hutch is easy to clean;
• is big enough for each rabbit to stretch out, hop and sit up;
• has separate rooms, because adult male rabbits (bucks) fight, and bucks stay apart from the females (does) except for mating;
• has a nest box with dry grass for a doe that is about to give birth to her babies (kits);
• has a feeder and a water pot that the rabbits cannot tip over or dirty;
• is in a quiet, shady place, with doors that close well.

2What a healthy rabbit looks like

• Bright, clear eyes
• A clean, dry nose (no runny liquid)
• Clean ears with no scabs or crusts
• Smooth, shiny fur with no bald patches
• Active and alert; hops well and eats well
• Firm, round, dry droppings, and a clean bottom

3Choosing rabbits to rear

• Healthy: check for all the signs above.
• A good breed for what you want. Breeds such as New Zealand White, Californian and Flemish Giant grow big and are good for meat. Local rabbits are small but strong.
• The right age: young adults of about 4 to 5 months. A doe is ready to have kits at about 5 to 6 months.
• From a trusted farmer with clean hutches.
• Not related: for breeding, the buck and the does should not be brothers and sisters, because related parents often have weak babies. One buck is enough for about 8 to 10 does.

Try it yourself

Try each one first, then tap Show answer to check.