Set up a rabbit hutch: Must-haves for happy bunnies

Rabbits are extremely popular as pets, especially for families with a garden - but keeping rabbits in a species-appropriate way requires the right environment. A well-planned rabbit hutch is the be-all and end-all to keep the bunnies healthy and happy. It's less about a luxurious hutch and more about real added value in the form of safety, sufficient space, varied design and comfort. In this guide, you will learn how to set up a rabbit hutch and which must-haves should not be missing in any enclosure. You can create a little rabbit paradise in your own garden - without any sales pitches, but with practical tips and inspiration for young and old.

1. enough space: hutch size and choice of location

Rabbits need enough space to be happy. Experts recommend an enclosure area of at least 6 m² for two rabbits - more is always better. The area should be increased further for each additional animal. In Switzerland, the Animal Welfare Ordinance stipulates lower minimum dimensions, but vets and animal welfare experts advise going well beyond this. So make sure that the hutch itself plus the attached enclosure are generously dimensioned so that your animals can make hooks and even do some mating (stand on their hind legs). The hutch should also be high enough so that the rabbits can sit upright and jump.

The location in the garden also needs to be carefully considered. Place the rabbit hutch as sheltered from the wind as possible and in partial shade. Direct blazing sun in summer and draughts in winter should be avoided. A place where there is sun in the morning or evening but shade at midday is ideal. The ground also plays a role: a level, dry place prevents waterlogging in the hutch. Tip: If you place the hutch on grass or soil, place close-meshed wire under the ground beneath the outdoor enclosure. This way, your hops can dig but not break out - and predators (such as foxes or martens) cannot dig in from the outside.

2. safety & protection: hutch material, weather and predators

Safety first: A rabbit hutch must be sturdily built and well secured. Make sure you use high-quality material - impregnated wood or weatherproof screen printing plates protect against moisture and last for years. Close-meshed grids (max. 2 × 2 cm) are important so that neither curious rabbit heads can fit through nor martens can stick their paws in. It should be possible to close doors and entrances securely (preferably with sliding bolts or snap hooks that even a clever fox cannot open). Check the hutch regularly for sharp edges or loose parts that could injure an animal.

Also think about weather protection. Although rabbits can live outside all year round, they need protection from heat, cold and rain. A good hutch model has a waterproof roof (e.g. with roofing felt or tiles as in the Tobias hutch) and ideally an insulated sleeping chamber. In summer, sufficient shade and ventilation is important - for example, place a heat-reflecting mat or a damp cloth over part of the roof to keep the interior cool. In winter, on the other hand, windproof tarpaulins or removable plexiglass panels on the sides of the lattice help to cover the worst draughts. Frost protection: On very cold days, provide drinking water in an insulated bowl or use special heating plates for drinking troughs so that nothing freezes.

Last but not least: protect your animals from predators. In Switzerland, foxes, martens or even neighbors' cats often roam through gardens at night - this means stress and danger for rabbits. Therefore, secure the outdoor enclosure from all sides: A wire fence firmly anchored in the ground (buried at least 50 cm deep) and, if necessary, a cover on top (aviary wire or netting) make the run escape-proof and keep uninvited guests away. Also check that doors are always closed. Some hutch models (e.g. Nelson hutch) have lockable exit flaps so that you can lock the rabbits in the shelter at night - additional protection in the dark.

3. cozy furnishings: retreats and important rabbit hutch accessories

A species-appropriate hutch offers the rabbits variety and comfort. In addition to the empty basic area, there should be several places to retreat to so that each animal can rest undisturbed. A small sleeping house made of wood or willow inside the hutch has proven to be a good idea - this simulates a burrow and gives the rabbits a sense of security. Elevated levels are also popular: a small ramp to a second floor or a perch halfway up create vantage points from which the animals can observe their surroundings. Plan such viewing points, as rabbits like to sit up high and feel safe there.

The must-have accessories in the rabbit hutch include, above all, feeding and activity items. Rabbit hutch accessories such as a hay rack, a drinking bowl and a food bowl are essential. Fresh hay is placed in the hay rack every day - this keeps it clean and dry and the animals can pick at it as they please. A suitable water source is either a nipple drinker (hangs on the wall and doesn't spill) or a sturdy ceramic bowl. The latter is more natural for drinking, but must be placed on a raised plate so that litter does not constantly get into it. A toilet corner makes hutch hygiene easier: Many rabbits choose a corner as their toilet. You can place a rabbit toilet or shallow tray with litter there - this keeps the rest of the hutch clean for longer. It is best to use litter made of straw, hemp or dedusted wood pellets in the toilet to bind odors.

To keep your Mümmelmänner occupied and to provide them with species-appropriate exercise, arrange the enclosure in a varied way. A digging box is essential - for example, a sturdy wooden box or a large bowl filled with unfertilized soil, sand or wood shavings. Rabbits love to digProvide them with this opportunity in their hutch or outdoor enclosure so that they can act out their natural instinct (and not dig unwanted tunnels in the garden). Other accessories could be tunnels or tubes: There are rustling tunnels made of fabric or hard plastic tubes on the market that the animals can hop through. Simple cardboard boxes with two entrances are also popular as playhouses - an inexpensive DIY idea that provides variety. Of course, there should always be a few fresh branches in the hutch to gnaw on (e.g. from unsprayed fruit trees or pasture): This keeps their teeth short and keeps them busy at the same time. In short: with the right furnishings, you can make the hutch exciting and cozy at the same time, so that your rabbits feel completely at ease.

4 Stable hygiene and health: cleanliness is the be-all and end-all

An often underestimated must-have is consistent hutch hygiene. Rabbits only stay healthy and feel comfortable in a clean environment. Clean the rabbit hutch daily in small stages: Remove damp bedding and droppings, especially in the toilet area, and add fresh straw or hay. Once a week, it's time for the big clean: muck out the entire hutch, change the bedding and clean the surfaces. Use cleaning agents that are as mild as possible - warm vinegar water, for example, is ideal for dissolving urine scale without causing the animals to be bothered by the smell of chemicals. Make sure that everything dries thoroughly before re-littering.

Why is this so important? Rabbits have very sensitive airways. In a dirty hutch, ammonia vapors are formed from urine, which irritate the animals' nasal mucous membranes. A lack of hygiene also encourages parasites and diseases. A clean stable should therefore be a matter of course, if only out of love for your bunnies. Stable hygiene also includes ensuring a dry environment: wet floors can lead to inflamed paws (pododermatitis). Therefore, always use sufficient absorbent bedding and replace wet areas quickly. A trick for wooden floors: place a stable mat or newspaper under the litter in high-traffic areas to protect the wood.

Check the drinking and feed containers regularly. Water should be given fresh daily and bowls should be rinsed out (avoid algae formation!). It is best to briefly sweep out hay racks each time they are filled to prevent old hay dust from becoming moldy. Good hutch hygiene creates a healthy environment - your rabbits will thank you for it with vitality and a long life.

5. daily exercise: Outdoor enclosure and free run for exercise

No rabbit hutch - however large it may be - is a substitute for daily exercise. In the wild, rabbits cover long distances, jumping and running to their heart's content. We must also allow our pets to fulfill this need. It is therefore essential that you plan an outdoor enclosure that connects to the hutch or is set up in the garden. Many hutch models already have integrated outdoor enclosures; alternatively, you can extend them modularly (e.g. with flexible free-range fences). It is important that the run is secured - use the same safety precautions as for the hutch (dig-in fence, cover on top, no gaps). This means that the animals can hop outside unsupervised for hours at a time without you having to worry about them.

Outdoor exercise not only provides physical exercise, but also mental stimulation: Your long-eared friends can sniff, nibble grass and explore their surroundings to their heart's content. Design the outdoor enclosure in a varied way: hide small treats under a pile of leaves, put up a few tree trunks or low houses as obstacles - anything that invites your rabbit to hop around and discover makes their life more exciting. Always make sure that the plants are safe: no poisonous garden plants in the enclosure area!

If you have your own garden, you can also allow your rabbits to run freely in the garden under supervision. It is advisable to tidy up beforehand to make it rabbit-proof - i.e. eliminate cables, fertilizer, poisonous plants or loopholes in the fence. Many rabbits love to play with their owners in the garden. Nevertheless, unsupervised hopping around should only take place in an escape-proof enclosure. The ideal case is a combination: a comfortable hutch as a retreat and feeding place, and a spacious run during the day where the animals can romp around as they please. This will keep your bunnies fit, happy and balanced.

Reader question: How did you set up your little pets' rabbit hutch? Do you have any special tips or creative ideas that you would like to share with other rabbit owners? We look forward to hearing about your experiences!