Not all rabbit lovers find themselves in the comfortable situation of having a large apartment with enough space for a large indoor enclosure or… free accommodation or being able to fence off a large area of your garden to be used outdoors. However, many apartments have a balcony which, under certain conditions and with a little skill and imagination, can be transformed into an animal-friendly environment for rabbits. For you, this might mean giving up the cozy living area on the balcony and instead making all or most of the space available to your charges – but if that’s okay with you, there’s nothing or almost nothing to be said against keeping rabbits on the balcony. In our article you will find out what you need to take into account: from the required dimensions and protective measures to the structure and occupancy.
How big should the balcony be for rabbits?
In general, the same rules must apply for breeding rabbits on balconies as for other forms of breeding. According to the Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare and. V. (TVT), at least 6 square meters must be available for the permanent breeding of two rabbits – for each additional animal this area must be expanded by 0.5 square meters. Your charges need this space to satisfy their natural needs to run, jump, explore and generally move around. In order to run freely, one side should be at least 2.4m long so that your rabbits can take three consecutive jumping steps (one of which is on average 80cm long). Of course, more space is always desirable and not only offers more design options, but also a better quality of life for your four-legged friends!
Speaking of quality of life and health: it is very important that your animals slowly get used to the cooler temperatures outside, so never put them outside immediately and never in the middle of winter, because it is life-threatening for them. The best time to travel is spring, when temperatures do not drop below 12 degrees even at night, as generally happens from May onwards.
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Additionally, all rabbits, whether kept indoors or outdoors, should generally be protected against RHD and Myxomatous be vaccinated. These are deadly viral diseases that are transmitted, among other things, by blood-sucking insects, which is why, depending on the area in which you live, animals kept outdoors and therefore on balconies can be affected more often. Here You can learn more about rabbit vaccination.
Weather protection
If your four-legged friends have moved to the balcony, heat and direct sunlight represent one of the greatest dangers for them, as the animals react very sensitively. For this reason, balconies facing completely south are not suitable for permanently keeping rabbits, because it is too hot here at lunchtime, even if shade is provided with curtains or umbrellas. Life-threatening heat stroke can result. Balconies facing north or north-west, however, are often very drafty and when it rains they are cold and wet, which is not good for the health of your furry friends. Balconies facing east, south-east or south-west are best suited. To ensure adequate sun protection and protect your rabbits, approximately half of the enclosure should be in the shade, for animals with non-pigmented irises («red eyes») even the entire area. If this is not possible due to the natural path of the sun, special covers must be installed. Additionally, there should always be opportunities for your children to actively cool down, such as cooling pads at specialty retailers or cooled sand in a digging box. Here You can find more information on this topic.
Regarding the heat risk, in addition to the location, the design of the balcony must also be taken into account. If this is completely or partially closed, heat can build up inside. In summer it is therefore advisable to check every day, at different times, that it is not too hot; if necessary it must be possible to temporarily house the animals in cooler internal rooms.
To be able to take refuge and warm up in bad weather, your four-legged friends need a rain and windproof shelter or a rabbit hutch. If you want to keep it outside all year round, it must be insulated and protected from frost. For example, it is recommended to seal the stable with polystyrene. Here You can find more information and advice on keeping rabbits outdoors in cold weather. The size of the stable should be such that all animals can stretch and stand on their hind legs. It should also have two entrances so that rabbits can enter and exit at any time without being prevented by another rabbit blocking the single entrance. If you line the inside with lots of straw, your long ears will be curled up to keep warm when it gets too uncomfortable outside.
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However, after taking a nap, they will feel the need to jump again and should be able to do so at any time. Exercise is not only important for your well-being and quality of life, but also for your health. This is especially true in winter, when they need a lot of exercise to keep their body temperature constant. In order not to get completely wet in bad weather, a part of the balcony or fence should be covered and thus offer protection from rain and wind.
Protection from predators and accidents
Another aspect to take into consideration when keeping them on the balcony is to adequately protect your rabbits from predators such as martens, cats, rats and birds of prey. Depending on the location and condition of the balcony, it is necessary to protect it on all sides and upwards. Where this is not already possible for design reasons, grid and cable elements can be used to ensure that no unwanted guests can gain access. Remember that martens, for example, are excellent climbers and can easily climb climbing plants or the rough walls of houses or jump onto the parapet from a nearby tree. Since martens are capable of gnawing even all types of apparently safe materials, the wires and grills used should absolutely be considered marten-proof.
If your enclosure is protected on all sides and at the top, not only is there a danger of predators getting in, but also your rabbits getting out. If this occurs or is desired due to structural conditions, for example to temporarily widen the freewheel, care must be taken to ensure that any gaps in the balustrade are not too large. Under no circumstances should your rabbits be able to get their heads in: on the one hand the rest of their body can pass through, which poses the risk of falling, but on the other hand, serious injuries can occur, especially if they get scared and try to escape.
Which floor?
Most balconies are tiled or concrete – both variants are rather unsuitable for rabbits because, on the one hand, they do not offer enough support when walking and running and, on the other hand, they are often so cold that lying on them often can cause bladder problems. Recommended floor coverings include corn straw mats, washable cotton runners, decking boards or textured PVC.
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Structure and employment
In addition to the stable or shelter, where they can take refuge in unpleasant weather conditions, your pets enjoy numerous hiding places and hiding places within the enclosure, for example in the form of houses, caves and tunnels. All furnishings should have multiple entrances to avoid disputes. Additionally, at least one hideout should be large enough to accommodate all of your charges together. .
Rabbits also love high vantage points and love to explore their surroundings – which is why houses with flat roofs to lie on and decks are also very popular.
Of course, you also need to provide enough activity so that your pets don’t get bored and can live out their natural instincts. This includes a variety of opportunities for gnawing, gnawing and digging. Here are some tips for your rabbit’s enclosure:
- Fill a box with digging sand. Here your long-eared dogs can dig and rummage to their heart’s content. On hot days, you can spray the sand with water or add sand previously cooled in the refrigerator to keep cool.
- Branches and leaves suitable for rabbits to munch on, for example: E.g. untreated fruit trees (apple, pear, cherry…), hazel or willow trees. Here they can also wear down their teeth throughout their lives, which is very important for their health.
- Make sure there is a long, clear track with no obstacles so your furry friends can run properly. The more space, the better. If the balcony is wide enough to make hooks, the dream of a little rabbit is probably coming true.
- Build food trees (they are commercially available or you can build them yourself) and attach pieces of vegetables or herbs to them so that your charges have to make a little effort and go a long way to get the treats. Putting a little work into finding food appeals to their natural instincts and provides a natural activity.
- Homemade or commercially available smart toys are a great way to mentally challenge your intelligent furry friends. For example, cut a few holes in the cardboard piece of a kitchen roll, fold the ends, and fill the roll with treats that fall through the openings when you turn it onto the floor. How long does it take your furry friends to figure out how to get treats?
- Adventure litter, such as forest litter, brings a little more nature into your rabbit’s environment, so they can dig, eat and discover as they wish.
Conclusion
A balcony can be a wonderful home for rabbits, provided it meets certain conditions such as ample space and adequate sun protection. When properly prepared and furnished, this setup allows rabbits to enjoy fresh air and stimulating sensory experiences through new sounds and smells. However, it‘s essential to acclimate them gradually to outdoor temperatures. Avoid moving them to the balcony right away, especially during winter.
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Spring, when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 12°C, usually from May onwards, is the ideal period for this transition. Rabbits require plenty of space to move, engage in activities, and a weatherproof shelter that offers safe spaces to retreat. To ensure their safety, it’s crucial to secure the area against predators like martens and consider their impressive jumping ability. Rabbits can easily leap over 50 cm, so arrangements like houses or furnishings should not be placed near the balcony’s edges. By addressing these factors, keeping rabbits on the balcony can provide them with a safe and enriching environment.
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