Raising a Bunny in the Backyard

Housing a bunny in your backyard is often not recommended. Outdoor bunnies have a shorter lifespan compared to indoor bunnies; indoor rabbits live at least five years longer. Extreme cold and hot temperatures, predators, such as cats, raccoons and coyotes, and the lack of attention and interaction can end or shorten your bunny's life. If you have no other option but to house your rabbit outdoors, whether it's allergy-related or lack of space, take measures to keep your bunny protected, healthy and happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit hutch or children's playhouse
  • Litter box
  • Newspaper
  • Hay
  • Bottle covers or bubble wrap
  • Pellet feed
  • Vegetables
  • Plastic sheet or blanket
  • Spray bottle
  • Water
  • Water bottles
  • Heavy, ceramic bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Shelter your bunny in a fully enclosed hutch. Part of the hutch can be enclosed with wood for shelter during bad weather or when your bunny is scared. Provide a partial wire-enclosed area where your bunny can roam around. As an alternative, use a child's playhouse with access to a wire-enclosed outdoor run. A playhouse gives you easy access to your rabbit.

    • 2

      Place your rabbit's hutch in an area where it has access to shade and sunlight and keep it away from drafts. Position the hutch against a wall or on the side of a shed to shield your bunny from the wind.

    • 3

      Line a litter box with newspaper and place a layer of hay in it to serve as your bunny's restroom. Clean the litter box every day. Avoid using cat litter or pine and cedar wood shavings to fill the litter box, because the dust from the litter and the fumes from the wood shavings may cause respiratory problems and liver enzyme problems.

    • 4

      Provide your rabbit with unlimited water and hay. The fiber from the hay helps your rabbit's digestive system and doubles as bedding. In winter, check your rabbit's water supply frequently, because it may freeze. As an alternative, insulate water bottles with commercial bottle covers or wrap bubble wrap around them.

    • 5

      Feed your rabbits pellets in a heavy ceramic bowl according to feeding instructions on the pellet feed. The feeding amount may differ depending on the weight and age of your rabbit. Offer daily vegetable treats, such as dark leaf lettuce and carrots. Remove any leftover vegetables after eight hours to keep it from spoiling in the rabbit hutch.

    • 6

      Protect your rabbit from the elements. Cover the hutch with a plastic sheet or thick blanket in winter to help keep the cold out. As an alternative, allow your bunny to stay indoors during colder months or place the hutch in a shed. Mist your bunny's ears with cold water during summer to help keep it cool. Cover the hutch with a cold, wet blanket to help keep the inside cool, and to offer extra shade. Freeze large water bottles and lay them in the bunny's hutch so it can lie against them and cool off.

    • 7

      Visit and pet your rabbit frequently because rabbits are social animals and need interaction to stay healthy and happy. Bring your rabbit indoors or observe it as you allow it to run around in a fenced off area of the yard.