Housing
The first thing to decide when getting a rabbit is whether to house them inside or out. Either way is fine, so long as there is plenty space for the rabbit to run around, and somewhere small and dark for them to rest. The RSPCA guidelines for a pair of medium sized rabbits is a 6ft x 2ft x 2ft hutch and a 6ft x 4ft run. All rabbits should have company, as they're very social animal's (for which they'll need to be neutered).
Indoor Rabbits
Keeping your rabbit's indoors can be very enjoyable. There's no going outside in the bad weather to clean them out, and you can happily snuggle in your PJ's. The downside is they can chew through anything, skirting boards, cables etc. So it's very important to bunny proof your home.
By bunny proofing, we mean to block off any wire's, and to keep an eye on your rabbit chewing wallpaper and skirting boards. And if they do to block them off as well. They can also dig up carpet. My favourite place for a rabbit to be personally is in the kitchen. The flooring is easy to sweep and mop, and there tend to be no live wires hanging around.
Outdoor Rabbits
A popular and recommended set-up for outdoor rabbits is a shed with an attached run. Shed's are great outdoor rabbit houses. They're tall enough for you to go in, so you can stay dry in bad weather. They're warm and cozy for those chilly winter months. And if properly insulated, can be just as warm as keeping them indoors. It's always best to attach run's so the rabbit has a permant option to go out and enjoy the sunlight and binky in the fresh air.
Other set-ups are large hutch's and wendy houses.
Litter Training
Every rabbit can learn to use a litter tray just like a cat. One neutered a rabbit's hormones will settle and it taught correctly they can pee and poo only in the litter tray making cleaning out a lot easier.
Easy Tip's on Litter training your bunny:
Find a corner your bunny uses the most for the toilet.
Clean out the hutch/cage and place some of the soiled litter into the tray.
Place it near the water and hay sorce, bunnies like to drink and eat whilst doing their business.
Bedding
Sawdust should never be used for rabbit's. It can cause so many problems. You can always use newspaper, wood litter or megazorb for the floor base/litter tray. And hay and straw (so long as there is hay somewhere for the rabbit to eat) in their bed area. Once fully litter trained you can even put carpet down. A personal favourite to bunny owners is keeping Lino on the floor. Easy to clean.
Water bottles or Water bowl's?
Personally I'd always give a bunny a water bottle. It's more hygienic. However, some bunnies can be rather fussy, so if closely monitored that they don't keep spilling the water or flicking hay, poop etc. into the bowl, then a bowl can be used.
Posion?
Please ensure wherever it is your bunny is housed they are not near anything they can chew/eat that is poisonous such as certain plants.
Please take a look on this website for a list of safe herbs, flowers, plants, veg & fruit for rabbits. Chances are if it's not on this list, then keep it away from your rabbits: http://www.rabbitnutrition.co.uk/page1.html
