Chook Me!

When building a rabbit hutch does it need to have the "window" part?

Is it for ventilation? As I was hoping to build one that looks like chicken coop with with a run attached and having Access to the run 24/7. Similar to this - http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/domestic-exotics-classifieds/498497-chicken-coop-rabbit-hutch-small.html

Public Comments

1. You will need some ventilation into the coop part of the hutch. The one in the link looks great though it will be nice for the rabbits to have 24 hour access to grass. Just make sure they have a nice warm part for sleeping and they will be happy in there.
2. You could just add a vent in the enclosed end of the coop rather than a window then that would give the ventilation needed but keep it cosy. My only worry is sometimes you do need to shut rabbits in either through illness or bad weather and therefore you need to consider how you will do this if necessary. Also make sure the wire is fox proof as leaving a rabbit with free run day and night you will have to be careful of foxes and chicken wire is not strong enough to keep them out.
3. That is ok if you keep it extremely clean. adding a couple vents on the ends would be better. In the summer you should have a fan or a frozen plastic pop bottle in there though rabbits can suffer from heat stroke rather easily. they love to snuggle up to the frozen pop bottle to cool off. Don't set the cage in warm weather in direct sunlight either. also be aware they will borrow into the ground and dig their way out so keep a good eye on them if using this type of cage. It only takes them about a half hour to a hour for them to dig their way out to. once they figure it out it becomes increasing difficult to keep them from doing this. I had to build a wooden bottom in my outside run to keep this from happening. now I cover the wood with straw, fresh grass and timothy hay so they can dig without me worrying to much.