How much space does your New Zealand rabbit need as a cage or what size of a hutch should you use for two New Zealand rabbits? If this is a question that you’re looking the answer to, then you’ve come to the right place.
Are New Zealand Rabbits Considered A Large Breed?
The New Zealand rabbit breed is considered to be one of the larger-sized rabbits which weigh around 10 to 12 lb (4.5 to 5.5kgs) with the doe growing slightly bigger than bucks, i.e., the female weighs 10–12 lb and the male weighs 9–11 lb.
Overview
A safe and spacious indoor or outdoor space for rabbit housing is a fundamental requirement that will ensure the wellbeing and happiness of your rabbit. For many first-time rabbit owners, deciding on the right size of a hutch or cage can be a daunting task, as different breeds have different space requirements.
Whether you have a New Zealand rabbit as a pet or is a show animal, there is a minimum requirement of cage sizes based on the rabbit’s weight.
It’s important to note that New Zealand rabbits are an active breed. The RSPCA notes that they will be “needing opportunities to hop, run, jump, dig, stand fully upright on their back legs/stretch out fully when lying down.”
Furthermore, your rabbit’s cage is also a place where they need to go to the toilet, hide, eat and sleep. Providing a small hutch for a New Zealand rabbit will make them very uncomfortable, which will have an impact on their overall health and happiness.
The Cage Size For New Zealand Rabbits
An ideal living area will have enough room for a litter tray, feeding, and water bowls, as well as an enclosed sleeping area.
The minimum recommended size is 12 square ft or about 1.1 square metres in addition to a playing area that should be larger than 32 sq ft, with your rabbit having more than enough room to be able to stretch in any direction without touching any side of the hutch.
Length
The length should allow the rabbit to make around 3 to 4 hops. This will be about 6-7 ft, for a medium-sized hutch.
Width
The width should be enough to allow them to stretch out fully while lying down typically, so the New Zealand rabbit breed may require around 3ft (90cm).
Height
While standing upright on their hind legs, their ears shouldn’t touch the roof of their hutch. This is typically 3ft for the New Zealand breed.
Minimum ARBA Rabbit Cage Size
ARBA emphasizes that you must provide a rabbit with a “cage of adequate size to accommodate species and breed-specific behavior.”
In line with the Animal Welfare Act, AWA, the ARBA has adopted helpful guidelines to help rabbit owners decide on the right size of cage or hutch that their rabbit needs.
They calculate space by multiplying the length and width of the cage, then deducting any area occupied by water dishes and feeders which are often inside the cage, i.e. this doesn’t include any other space where other things can occupy inside their cage.
Although we’re dealing with the minimum space requirements. Remember, the bigger your rabbit’s cage is, the better.
Cage Size For Nursing Rabbits
If you’re breeding New Zealand rabbits, you’ll need a larger cage for a nursing rabbit to be able to accommodate it and its kits, i.e. having enough space for a nesting box. Here’re the minimum cage size requirements that are recommended by the ARBA.
Cage Size For Two New Zealand Rabbits Together
Perhaps a more challenging issue is getting the right cage size for your New Zealand rabbits if they’ll be sharing a cage. For instance, what size of a cage should two New Zealand rabbits have?
Although the height will remain the same, you’ll need to increase the floor area, to around one and a half times larger. However, you’ll need to make sure that you know how to properly introduce and bond them.
The above guidelines should help you decide to go for a DIY cage or buy one. Some of the pet stores that sell rabbit hutches could be able to advise you on the right size. However, the size shouldn’t be any lower than what was advised above.
Conclusion
There could be other animal welfare charities out there that have slightly different cage requirements for rabbits. For example, the RSPCA recommended rabbit hutch size may slightly differ from ARBA.
A good tip to ensure that your rabbits have enough space is to continually weigh your rabbit’s weight to determine if the cages are the right sizes.
