Rabbits kept outdoors require housing that provides adequate space, protection from predators and weather, and social company to meet their welfare needs throughout the year.
Outdoor rabbit housing presents both opportunities and risks for welfare. Outdoor space allows rabbits to run, jump, and engage with the natural environment in ways that indoor housing cannot replicate. But outdoor rabbits face weather extremes, predator stress from neighbouring cats and foxes, and the risk of flystrike in warm weather. The most welfare-positive outdoor setups provide large permanent runs that are securely predator-proofed, sheltered areas for rest and protection from weather, and bonded companions for social welfare. The typical garden hutch purchased from a pet shop is inadequate for meeting rabbit welfare needs on its own.