house rabbits

Fire_Fox

viktory wrote: »

Why can't two or more rabbits live happily outside all year round? Mine do.

Because you are responsible for and care about their welfare?
Because last winter the lowest recorded temperature in the UK was -22C?
Because rabbits have a large surface area but small mass?
Because one side of a hutch is open to the elements?
Because the other sides are not insulated to the same level a burrow is?
Because they are mammals with nervous systems much like ours?
Because you don't have to be dead to suffer with the cold?
Because you aren't in the hutch to see how 'happy' they really are when it's sub-zero outside?
Because you don't want your children to be heartbroken when they find their pets dead?
Because you don't want the RSPCA on your doorstep?

petsycutesy

its better to house your rabbit outside the house. its also better to put them outside because your other bigger pets might scare them. I found this new website with Pet Deals up to 90% off retail! They are launching soon and have a cutest pet contest!.

dailydealsforpets.com

ihateyes

I have 2 rabbits ( and 6 5day old bunnies ). The 2 rabbits live outdoors in their hutch, and run connected to to their hutches. Depending on the weather i also have 2 indoor cages, and use them if need be (during the last winter during a 10spell they were indoors about 8weeks). More hutches have been acquired for the babies!!

Cats would probably attck the bunny!! my dog was trained to accept the rabitts, and actually when tey hop towards him, he crys and runs!! big softy!

CompBunny

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Because you are responsible for and care about their welfare?
Because last winter the lowest recorded temperature in the UK was -22C?
Because rabbits have a large surface area but small mass?
Because one side of a hutch is open to the elements?
Because the other sides are not insulated to the same level a burrow is?
Because they are mammals with nervous systems much like ours?
Because you don't have to be dead to suffer with the cold?
Because you aren't in the hutch to see how 'happy' they really are when it's sub-zero outside?
Because you don't want your children to be heartbroken when they find their pets dead?
Because you don't want the RSPCA on your doorstep?

Nice response FireFox. My heart sinks every time I see a tiny rabbit hutch intended for outdoor use for sale :mad:

pug_in_a_bed

I keep my guinea pig inside and they go in a run when its sunny; they're so much more fun and I think much tamer than if they were outside all day. They get a run round the living room if they fancy the trip out the cage aswell.

As they're used to luxuriating on the rug or on the sofa cushions, I think they'd be very put out at being put out!

bagginslover

jetta_wales wrote: »

£80 for having their teeth clipped? Lol I've heard it all now.

And FTR I didn't once say that the duck and the rabbit ate the same food, the duck had pellets and the rabbit the usual dry rabbit food plus veg etc. Neither ever showed much interest in the others food but the duck lost intreats in the pond because the rabbit wouldn't go in with him lol. He'd still jump in the paddling poll with me though given half a chance

Gotta love growing up with loads of animals.

It was £80 or watch them starve to death, which would your conscience suggest was right?!

As for the duck and the food issue, how did you know when they were put together that they wouldn't eat each others food? Did you check there was nothing harmful to either of them in the others food, or watch them 24 hours a day for their entire lives to know they didn't eat the wrong food?!
I'm sure you didn't, who would, that's why it's irresponsible and shouldn't be taken as an example of good rabbit (or duck) keeping. Lions and lambs wont show any interest in each others food either, but mixing them is a bad idea. Lions and tigers have the same diet, but chucking them together won't usually result in happiness either. Species in captivity, kept in a home environment should be separated.

jetta_wales

bagginslover wrote: »

It was £80 or watch them starve to death, which would your conscience suggest was right?!

As for the duck and the food issue, how did you know when they were put together that they wouldn't eat each others food? Did you check there was nothing harmful to either of them in the others food, or watch them 24 hours a day for their entire lives to know they didn't eat the wrong food?!
I'm sure you didn't, who would, that's why it's irresponsible and shouldn't be taken as an example of good rabbit (or duck) keeping. Lions and lambs wont show any interest in each others food either, but mixing them is a bad idea. Lions and tigers have the same diet, but chucking them together won't usually result in happiness either. Species in captivity, kept in a home environment should be separated.

Oh for goodness sake you are getting your knickers in a twist now aren't you lol.

We had more animals than I could even remember and my Dad clipped the rabbits teeth if any ever did need doing and the wings of the ducks and chickens. You'd have to get the balance right so they could get enough hight to evade a fox if one ever got in while they were out but not enough that they could fly away. That one duck was tiny can't remember the breed but he and the rabbit were quite inseparable don't think ever ever thought of having the other lunch like a lion would a lamb We had chickens and ducks together at many times too, *gasp*! lol

viktory

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Because you are responsible for and care about their welfare? Absolutely. They have the best care available.
Because last winter the lowest recorded temperature in the UK was -22C? Not where I live, it wasn't. It was cold though, and I made sure that the rabbits had adequate amounts of straw and hay.
Because rabbits have a large surface area but small mass? And very, very thick fur.
Because one side of a hutch is open to the elements? Not mine.
Because the other sides are not insulated to the same level a burrow is? I couldn't comment as I have no idea how well heated a burrow is. However, I have carried out extensive research and my rabbits hutch is well insulated. Their hutch is covered during the winter so there are no drafts, they have a completely enclosed sleeping area that is filled with straw for burrowing and they have each other to snuggle up to
Because they are mammals with nervous systems much like ours? Which is why I ensure that their hutch is warm and dry.
Because you don't have to be dead to suffer with the cold? They don't.
Because you aren't in the hutch to see how 'happy' they really are when it's sub-zero outside? No, I b ugger off and leave them alone for six months :rotfl: I go out to them at least three times a day, winter and summer and I can see them from my living room. I see that often, in snow and rain, they opt to sit in their open run, getting snowed or rained on as opposed to sitting in the house. I also see them enjoying the sunshine and sunbathing. I see that they are happy and healthy. I see that they love to binky and jump and snuggle. I know that my vet is very happy with the level of care they get.
Because you don't want your children to be heartbroken when they find their pets dead? That is a chance you take when you have any pet. They certainly won't freeze to death!
Because you don't want the RSPCA on your doorstep? Why would they be on my doorstep? I know the care my rabbits get is excellent. I would welcome any visit from any official body.

My response, above. I have had my rabbits for nigh on three years. They have managed to 'survive' thus far with no ill health so forgive me if I dismiss your concerns as hysterical nonsense.

bagginslover

jetta_wales wrote: »

Oh for goodness sake you are getting your knickers in a twist now aren't you lol.

Not in the slightest, just highlighting the differences in modern rabbit keeping, and the ways they were kept in the past. Things have, quite rightly changed from the ways you describe, any vet will tell you the same.

Rabbit teeth also shouldn't be 'clipped', this can cause them to shatter or split vertically right down through the root, and I'm sure you'll agree that would be agony for the poor thing. Instead they should be filed down with an electric drill type tool, for the rear teeth, this understandably requires a general anaesthetic, some require it for the front teeth too (though luckily not for mine as those had to be done every 3-4 weeks!).

I also keep my rabbits outside all year round as Viktory does, and they stayed out even last winter when it got to around -20 here. They were warm, dry and happy.

Pupnik

One of my neighbours has a house rabbit and it is adorable, very friendly and playful and it gets on well with their dog. She uses a littertray and sleeps in her own basket, but they have a run in . the garden for her to use during the day.

I haven't had a rabbit in years but when I did they always lived outside whatever the weather, although their hutch was inside a shed so not really exposed to any wind at all.