Planning a Rabbit Habitat

When we decided as a family to adopt rabbits into our life, the first and foremost decision we had to make was: indoors or outdoors? In the house or in a rabbit hutch? There seems to be a philosophical debate on whether or not rabbits are indoor or outdoor animals.

Indoor Rabbits:

There are numerous websites dedicated to the philosophy of “house rabbits” detailing the reasons why indoor environments are vital to the well being of bunnies.  Many of these reasons are related to social interaction, harsh outdoor climates, and an increased lifespan in the home.  The philosophy of house rabbits tends to be very adamant that keeping a pet rabbit indoors is the best possible outcome for both the pet and the pet owner.

Outdoor Rabbits:

The other side of the debate tends to agree with all the positive aspects of indoor habitats, yet recognizes that rabbits are rabbits and, if properly cared for, can live a happy life outdoors in a rabbit hutch.

After careful debate, we decided that we would keep our rabbits outside – with the resolve to play with them outside every day.  However, we wanted to make sure that they had ample space and excellent accomodations, so we recruited my father to design and build  a DIY Rabbit Hutch: what we now refer to as the “Rabbit Mansion”.

DIY Rabbit Hutch

My dad’s philosophy is “use what you have”.  In the case of the DIY Rabbit Hutch, we used wood left over from our newly assembled fence, hinges from old cabinet doors, and scrap wood from various projects for the top addition flooring and stair case.  The DIY Rabbit Hutch is built in two pieces: the top piece fitting on the bottom piece like a lid to a pot.
Needless to say, the kids were thrilled with the new addition!  The rabbits were too! For more woodworking projects by my dad, please see our “Tufted Headboard Tutorial” or visit his website, Masterwork.

 

A DIY Rabbit Hutch Blueprint Printable PDF is here! Visit our products page for more information!