They should be brought inside overnight. They can only stay outside at night too from mid-May when there is no longer any ground frost. If your rabbits have first been gradually accustomed to being kept outdoors, they can stay outdoors all year round from then. Even the ground frost won't bother them after that.
I would recommend putting your rabbit back into his or her cage at night. That will protect them from nocturnal predators. Don't be surprised if your bunny doesn't want to go back into the cage; once they've tasted sweet, sweet freedom, even the largest bunny cage can seem like a prison.
If the hutch is inside the enclosure the rabbits should never be shut inside it, they should be able to move between their sleeping quarters and exercise area whenever they choose. But you don't have to go for a hutch and run, there are other options available.
We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It's warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it's also absorbent. It's important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
A rabbit requires a resting area and an exercise area. Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing.
If your home can get quite noisy or you have other pets about such as lively dogs, your rabbits may prefer the quiet of living outside as long as they are well-protected from predators, wind, rain and direct sun. They will also need daily access to a run where they can exercise, dig and play.
Positioning a hutch on grass is not essential but is the most popular option. However, many people do not have access to grass and have to place the hutch on a patio or balcony which is also fine with the correct bedding.
Sleeping through the night
Most rabbits will go to sleep between 10-12 pm. They'll sleep until it's time to wake up in the morning and start a new day. Like afternoon nap time, many rabbits will periodically get up to stretch and eat in the middle of the night.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage. Rabbits are subject to depression and poor health if they're not provided with daily interaction and mental stimulation.
Even if you have a pair of rabbits, 24 hours is the maximum time they should be alone.
Rabbits love having new places to forage and dig and use their natural bunny behaviors. Good for exercise. If rabbits have an outdoor play area, it can give them some space to zoom around and exercise. Grass is good for rabbits.
It's important to ensure your rabbit hutch is free from draughts, but at the same time well ventilated. Placing the hutch in an area sheltered from the elements is the best way to keep your rabbits warm and safe. You should also insulate the hutch with newspaper and hay and remember to change this regularly.
You may need to handle them for any number of reasons, from grooming them to checking them for any signs of a medical condition. While most rabbits won't appreciate you picking them up all the time, it's still important to practice handling them occasionally. That way you can pick them up when you have to.
If rabbits live in small hutches with nothing to do and no space to move, they get bored. Boredom can cause some serious health problems: Bored rabbits will fill their time by eating. If they eat too much and don't move around they'll put on weight.
They sleep about 12 to 14 hours a day, according to the Ohio State University website. The most active times for rabbits are early morning, night and dusk. The rabbit is quietest during the day, usually between noon and four in the afternoon.
Rabbits love nothing more than having the space to run around, play, dig and explore while enjoying a bit of 'me' time. Show your bunnies you love them by offering a secure environment where they can display these natural behaviours safely away from predators. A happy rabbit is a loved rabbit!
Providing pellets or fresh greens during the evening feeding is optimal. Rabbits are most likely to eat their pellets during the evening and overnight hours. Providing food during this time decreases the number of unwanted behaviors (chewing, playing with water bottle) that may occur in the overnight hours.
If you choose to house your rabbit outside, please provide them with a shelter protected from the heat and cold. It is ideal to place outdoor hutches on the side of the house in the shade, not facing the morning or afternoon sun. Hutches should be several feet off the ground.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.
How cold is too cold? The ideal temperature for rabbits is from about 60-70°F (15-20°C), but rabbits can be comfortable in temperatures ranging from around 40-75°F. For rabbits that are used to the cold, they can still do okay in temperatures down to about 15°F as long as they are kept dry and out of the wind.
During the winter do not bring your rabbit inside at all - the sudden temperature change when you put it back outside can be fatal to your rabbit. If you have an indoors rabbit and want to move it outdoors permanently, you can do this anytime after early spring when the frosts are over.
Of course! Many rabbit owners believe that rabbits are happiest living outside, close to nature. And many pet rabbits live happily outside, even in cold weather. You can also keep domesticated rabbits indoors.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.