General Care

Domestic animals kept in relatively cramped surroundings require frequent, regular, and thorough cleaning of their quarters. Hygiene, a word which means the science of the prevention and control of disease, should be foremost in the rabbit keeper’s mind. A rabbitwhich receives a balanced diet, fresh water, and is kept in a clean, dry, draft proof hutch, will thrive, whereas one which is neglected will soon succumb to one of the nasty diseases which will be described later.

All rabbits should be handled and groomed as frequently as possible; a good brushing with a soft brush at least once per week will not only keep the fur in prime condition, but also give one the opportunity of inspecting
individual animals for signs of ill health. Rabbits kept in small hutches should also be given the opportunity of regular exercise, they may be allowed (under supervision of course) to run on the lawn or other grassy area, where they will also be able to supplement their diet with fresh grass.

Hutches should be cleaned out completely at least twice per week, and soiled bedding replenished daily. As rabbits are creatures of habit, they will usually urinate and pass droppings in one corner of the run only, so it is easy to clean this out with a small shovel or scraper, before adding fresh floor covering. Sawdust, wood shavings, or peat may be used as a floor covering; these are absorbent and will also act as an insulator to the floor of the hutch during cold weather. The usual floor covering should be added to the rabbit’s sleeping quarters, and a sizeable wad of straw should be added for bedding. The rabbit will soon chew this up and make a cozy nest.

It is useful to have regular days and times for cleaning. The rabbit(s) should be removed from the hutch and placed in a safe area and all bedding and floor covering should be removed. This may either be burnt, or placed on the compost heap (composted rabbit litter makes excellent manure). Equipment required for cleaning includes a scraper (a
wallpaper scraper is ideal) a small shovel, a stiff brush and a bucket in which to transport away the waste material. It is not necessary to wetscrub the hutch each time, but at intervals of say eight weeks it is
advisable to scrub the hutch thoroughly with a solution of household bleach (wear rubber gloves) which will kill off any bacteria or parasites lurking in the woodwork. The hutch should then be washed with clean water, and allowed to thoroughly dry out before the bedding and animals are replaced. As this may take some time, it is advisable to have
temporary, alternative accommodation available for your animals (cardboard cartons are useful).

During cleaning, the hutches should be inspected for damage caused by weathering, or by the rabbits themselves. Any cracks or holes should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent drafts and leaks. The areas around hutches or pens should be kept tidy and free of rubbish or other items which may provide food, refuge or nesting materials for vermin. Dry food should preferably be stored in metal bins, and hay andstraw should be stacked on raised pallets under cover.