If you think about wild rabbits, how quickly they run through fields and the area they cover, then it’s not much of a leap to think how much space domestic rabbits must need as well. The more space they have the more they thrive and the more enjoyment both bunny and guardian will have.
We require rabbits to have 24 hour access to accommodation with a minimum floor area of 60sqft, with a shelter that has a minimum width of 6ft to allow a rabbit to take three hops in one direction. Although this is the minimum, the more space you can give your rabbits the better.
Should my rabbits live outdoors or indoors?
There is no right answer to this, it is very dependent on your situation and in the UK both are perfectly feasible ways of looking after rabbits if housed correctly. If you have a spare room an indoor setup is likely to be easier and cheaper to establish, but if you don’t have space indoors, or you have other companion animals and you have space outdoors, then an outdoor enclosure could be more suitable.
In this article we’re going to be focusing on outdoor rabbit accommodation, so do keep reading if you’re planning on having your rabbits live outdoors as we share our experience in helping your outdoor rabbits live their best lives.
Outdoor enclosures can be pricey to set up, but it’s worth investing in something robust, that is well built with good quality materials so it lasts a long time.
There are many combinations of outdoor rabbit accommodation and it will be a combination of location, budget and preference that guides you to the best fit for the rabbits and you.
From experience, creating something that you can walk into rather than crawling, that will keep you dry as well as the bunnies will make interacting (as well as cleaning) so much easier even if it is initially a bit more costly.
Outdoor rabbit housing budget
It’s good to have a budget in mind before you start. Remember you don’t have to have a fully kitted out, perfectly decorated ‘insta-ready’ set-up from day 1. As long as you have the appropriate size and some great enrichment you can always add bits of furniture, move things around and add extensions as you learn more about what your bunnies want. Do a bit of research before you start planning to see what accommodation type is affordable for you. This could be a shed and aviary, hutch and large run, playhouse and run or something different!
Where should you place your rabbits’ outdoor accommodation?
Once you know the sort of accommodation you would like to create, you will need to think about where to place it:
Direction
Think about where you would like the bunnies to live. Think about placing their accommodation in an area of the garden where you can easily see them from the house, perhaps when you are eating dinner or doing the washing up. Happy bunnies will provide hours of entertainment! If their accommodation is against the house you will only see them when you are in the garden.
Weather
It’s also important to think about the weather. Take a note of which direction your garden faces, will the bunnies be in full sun all day or will they be shaded? If they are facing the sun, extra sun shades will be needed in the summer. What are the prevailing directions of wind and rain? A run that is soaked through every time it rains is pretty miserable for bunnies, and not great for people either!
Trees and plants
Do a bit of investigation into what plants and trees are near your proposed location – you need to think about your own garden and your immediate neighbours. You don’t want a poisonous tree or plant in the nibbling distance of your bunnies, or a poisonous plant that will shed all its leaves into your run.
Designing
Measure twice, cut once. Make sure you measure the space you have and plan out where you will put each element. This is important for any furniture and enrichment inside the accommodation as well. If you can it is good to draw out a plan thinking about where all the different components might go.
Planning
It is definitely advisable to check your Local Planning Authority requirements on permitted development rights, including the amount you are allowed to pave your garden, height of any outbuildings and proximity to boundary among others, before purchasing anything.
Flooring for outdoor rabbits
If you have a wooden base to your accommodation it is worthwhile investing in some vinyl sheet flooring over the top to help with cleaning. Ideally this should be fixed down with timber beading nailed down to stop resident bunnies being able to nibble or pull up the vinyl. Vinyl can be a bit slippy underfoot so if you can get one with a bit of texture it will help provide some grip.
It’s also worth investing in either some soft fabrics for winter such as vet bed, fabric puppy pads or fleece blankets. These can provide a bit of additional warmth during the chillier months. If you have bunnies who aren’t fans of litter trays these are also great for absorbing urine. Some bunnies have a bit of a destructive streak so keep an eye on their nibbling, as eating fabric could lead to a blockage.
For run areas, paving slabs are the best. They provide a firm base for your shed and run to be built on, are easy to clean and disinfect, and very importantly, stop your bunnies digging out, or predators digging in.
Do my outdoor rabbits need a roof?
Yes. All accommodation needs a roof, whether this is solid or appropriately meshed. From experience, a solid roof over all accommodation helps keep the space dry which is better for the bunnies and for you! A solid roof doesn’t have to be dark, it could be a polycarbonate roof that still lets daylight in but keeps the space dry.
What mesh should I use?
It is critical you use 16g fox proof mesh at a maximum size of 1/2 inch by 1 inch. This is to prevent foxes, rats, stoats, cats and any other predators getting in, or getting close enough to your rabbit to swipe at them. Not all bunnies have the fear of predators and so preventing access helps reduce the risk.
Even if you don’t think you have predators, it’s highly likely you do. Foxes can rip through anything with a higher gauge than 16g, they can easily scale 6 foot fences and their food sources are being limited.
Grass Runs
Rabbits love being on grass, you’re guaranteed some good zoomies and binkies if they have some grass time! If a grass run forms part of your 24 hour access, it must be meshed and pinned underneath the grass to prevent escapees and intruders. Better still is having an additional grass run to the standard 60sqft that is accessible only when you are at home. That way the bunnies can have time on the grass that doesn’t require meshing underneath, your lawn gets mown for free, and you can supervise them.
Some bunnies are diggers, however they also like an easy life so if you are concerned about your lawn you can create a deeper section just with sterilised topsoil that they will love to dig tunnels through, leaving your lawn dig free.
Keeping your outdoor rabbits entertained

Enrichment
Furniture such as hides, tunnels and castles are all great fun for bunnies. They are much more likely to use these if they have a minimum of two entrances. As prey species, having an escape route will make them feel more comfortable. Castles can be multi-level, incorporate digging trays, tunnel exits and entrances etc. Make sure you are buying products from a reputable company who uses timber or plywood that is safe for bunnies as with the best will in the world, it will get nibbled.
Take a look at our Amazon shop front for our recommendations of safe enrichment that your rabbits will love.
Ramps
Bunnies love going up and down levels but they need help otherwise they will won’t be able to get any grip. Make sure you get ramps that have ladder rails on them and that they are securely fixed to the platform they lead to.
Plants
If you can find space within your accommodation for a few wall mounted pot plants, you can grow your own herbs for the bunnies, you can also create rabbit protected planting areas using wire mesh and rubber edging. The plants can grow through to be nibbled on, but not so much that they get destroyed.
For you
Paint furniture in your favourite colours, hang up bunting, put up artwork, signs, festoon lighting, do whatever makes you love their accommodation. Painting timber sheds / kennels / hutches and all the furniture is a massive time saver when it comes to cleaning as any urine stains can easily be wiped away without the wood getting spoilt. Make sure you use pet friendly paint, some of our favourites are Protex Woodstains and Cuprinol Garden Shades.
Outdoor accommodation adaptations for older bunnies
As rabbits get older (just like people) their mobility starts to deteriorate. Getting up and down ramps and into litter trays will start to become more difficult. It is really important that older bunnies and those with mobility issues still have access to fun enrichment. Keeping bunnies moving is also important, this helps maintain muscle mass, as well as reducing the risk of bladder sludge building up.
The good news is there are lots of things you can do to help your bunnies enjoy the same quality of life with a few modifications.
- If your bunnies are still pretty mobile, you could fasten lengths of vet bed to ramps. This will help them keep their grip moving up and down levels. If ramps have become too much of an issue, make sure you remove access to upper levels to prevent injuries.
- Swap out deep litter trays for shallow litter trays. Garland garden products do low sided potting trays which work fantastically as accessible litter trays. However these trays do also have high sides on three other sides and depending on your set up may inadvertently cause other trip hazards. Garland also do large garden trays with a shallow depth, These are great for bunnies to be able to step in and out of as well. If that is too high for the bunny’s mobility, you can also use a rigid liner from the bottom of a dog crate which are sold separately. Changing out the trays over time but keeping them the same height helps your bunny have the same experience as they are used to and if they are able, will encourage them to keep toileting in a tray.
- Rubber stable mats can be useful on the floor for older bunnies. These can be laid on paving slabs and cut to size. You can also add additional vet bed, if you have a roof over your enclosure this should keep it dry. If older rabbits are comfortable under foot they are more likely to move around, and exercise helps to slow mobility decline.
- You may want to add in more accessible ground level enrichment such as tunnels and castles. These should have arches cut out rather than circles so they are easy for rabbits to get into and out of them. If you have a pair or group of bunnies with different mobility levels, it’s important to add interest for your more active bunnies. This could be in the form of things they can jump up onto that wouldn’t be accessible to the bunny with mobility issues.
Adopt an outdoor rabbit
If you’re considering adding rabbits to your family, or you already have rabbits and you’re wanting to expand your fluffle, take a look at our rabbits available to adopt and filter by ‘can live outside’.