Sunday, December 12, 2010

Double Rabbit Hutch: Get A Double To Avoid Trouble

Rabbits make fine pets, but they are notorious for being wont to reproduce. This is a natural instinct that they possess, and more than one unwitting pet owner has had trouble with unexpected litters. The problem is that newbie pet owners forget about the sex of the animals, and the consequences that may ensue. For the most part, it is a failure on the part of the pet owner to keep the opposite sexes separate. For example, if you have two rabbits, a double rabbit hutch makes a fine long-term habitat, especially if you are unsure of their sexes.

A double rabbit hutch is distinct from two rabbit hutches. You might think to yourself “What difference does that make?” Well, a lot actually. For one thing, a double is more cost-effective in terms of materials and time to build. You can save material on at least one wall section. You can save time by constructing a single, whole roof instead of two smaller ones. Of course, it can also be a bit more difficult to move the hutch as a whole.

For the most part, a double rabbit hutch serves its purpose well. One situation where it might be better to have two separate cages is if you need to quarantine one rabbit. This can be because the rabbit is sick or is being bullied by the other rabbit – as far as rabbit bullying goes, anyway.

Rabbit hutches are usually made of wood and wire mesh. The most common variations are the single and double rabbit hutch, while triples are a bit more uncommon. Some hutches are built to be easily attached or are already built with attached runs, to provide both long-term shelter and exercise area for the rabbits.

So why choose a hutch instead of a cage? Cages are made of mesh or bars on all sides. This provides excellent ventilation and waste management properties, but in fact the openness can be a little too much. Rabbits are docile, shy creatures, and they like being able to hide away, as attested by their natural affinity for burrowing. Hutch is often made of wire mesh on only one side, and has a section made of wood panels. This provides enough ventilation without making the rabbit feel too cold, while providing a more shaded, secluded area to retreat to.

On the other hand, a rabbit cage is more portable, since they are lighter given the fact that most cages are made only of wire mesh. Of course, if you choose a cage for your rabbit, you must keep it indoors because otherwise will be no protection against the elements. Rabbit have fur, but that won’t keep them very warm, and you can forget about drying off quickly.

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