Wire Cages vs. Wooden Hutches
There is a lot of debate about using wire cages or wooden hutches. At Catalaya’s Rabbitry we choose to use wire cages but that is what works best for
us and may not be for everyone. A lot of people want to know what is best for he rabbit and rightly so.
Wooden hutches with a run would seem like the best option for the rabbit however for us this is not true. In our opinion rabbits sitting in their feces is not good for them and the urine soaking into the wood is impossible to clean out. The rabbits love to chew wood so you would probably find yourself fixing
and repairing hutches a lot. Allowing the rabbits to be on the ground will increase their exposure to contagious pathogens. Cleaning wooden hutches is a lot harder then power washing a wire cage.
The number of rabbits you are or want to raise will be a huge determining factor. If you have a rabbit or two as pets then the hutch would be feasible
however if raising 5 or more rabbits then that’s a lot of hutches. Cages are easier to fit into a shed or barn and can be stacked unlike hutches.
Some worry about the wire making the rabbits delicate feet sore. For a few dollars you can purchase resting pads to prevent this from happening. All of our cages have them and they are easy to insert. In the summer it is nice to have
tiles for resting pads they will also help keep the rabbits cool. Throw em in the freezer during the evening and in the morning or afternoon place them over the resting pads (if you don’t remove them). Our rabbits love these and get excited when they see us coming with them. If all else falls wood boards will
work but again remember the rabbits WILL chew them.
Some also worry about rabbits being able to roam or getting exercise. A cheap run can be made for this but remember rabbits dig so wire will be needed or they will dig a hole and escape. Also keep in mind rabbits spend the majority of their time in a hiding in a hole while in the wild. It is their natural instinct to be lazy they don’t have to go far for food or water.
Wire cages must be able to be covered or put inside to keep your rabbits out of the elements. This is where hutches prevail they can be put outside as the
rabbit can go in and out as it pleases.
There is a lot of debate about using wire cages or wooden hutches. At Catalaya’s Rabbitry we choose to use wire cages but that is what works best for
us and may not be for everyone. A lot of people want to know what is best for he rabbit and rightly so.
Wooden hutches with a run would seem like the best option for the rabbit however for us this is not true. In our opinion rabbits sitting in their feces is not good for them and the urine soaking into the wood is impossible to clean out. The rabbits love to chew wood so you would probably find yourself fixing
and repairing hutches a lot. Allowing the rabbits to be on the ground will increase their exposure to contagious pathogens. Cleaning wooden hutches is a lot harder then power washing a wire cage.
The number of rabbits you are or want to raise will be a huge determining factor. If you have a rabbit or two as pets then the hutch would be feasible
however if raising 5 or more rabbits then that’s a lot of hutches. Cages are easier to fit into a shed or barn and can be stacked unlike hutches.
Some worry about the wire making the rabbits delicate feet sore. For a few dollars you can purchase resting pads to prevent this from happening. All of our cages have them and they are easy to insert. In the summer it is nice to have
tiles for resting pads they will also help keep the rabbits cool. Throw em in the freezer during the evening and in the morning or afternoon place them over the resting pads (if you don’t remove them). Our rabbits love these and get excited when they see us coming with them. If all else falls wood boards will
work but again remember the rabbits WILL chew them.
Some also worry about rabbits being able to roam or getting exercise. A cheap run can be made for this but remember rabbits dig so wire will be needed or they will dig a hole and escape. Also keep in mind rabbits spend the majority of their time in a hiding in a hole while in the wild. It is their natural instinct to be lazy they don’t have to go far for food or water.
Wire cages must be able to be covered or put inside to keep your rabbits out of the elements. This is where hutches prevail they can be put outside as the
rabbit can go in and out as it pleases.