At The Rosy Ranch, we believe every rabbit deserves proper care—whether they’re beloved house pets or raised as livestock. We don’t discriminate. Our goal is to help you give your rabbits a safe, healthy, and enriched life, no matter your purpose or setup.
Free-Roaming Set-Up
If your bunny is living the house rabbit life, here’s what they’ll need:
Bunny-Proofed Space
Rabbits love to chew—cords, baseboards, furniture—you name it. Cover wires, block off unsafe areas, and provide plenty of chew toys. You might need to cage them during the hours you aren’t watching them, as you would with a puppy.
Litter Training
Yes, it’s possible! Use a low-sided litter box with rabbit-safe litter (no clumping clay) and place hay in or near the box—rabbits like to eat and poop at the same time.
Enrichment
Tunnels, hideouts, boxes, and chew toys keep their minds and bodies active. Rotate items often to keep things interesting.
Diet
A healthy free-roaming rabbit’s diet can include pellets, timothy hay or fresh herbs and greens if they are older than 4 months old. Fresh water daily is a must.
Companionship
Bunnies are social animals, but can get temperamental. If you can’t house two together, make sure you’re giving them plenty of time and attention, but take your time bonding bunnies together. As they reach 6 months of age, they will begin to be hormonal and if they are staying as pets they should be spayed and neutered to reduce the chance of cancers.
Cage Setups
Whether you’re keeping rabbits as livestock or need a contained setup, the basics of care stay the same:
Proper Housing
Each rabbit should have enough space to stretch out fully and stand on their hind legs. Wire floors should be covered with mats or resting boards to prevent sore hocks. Keep hutches dry, draft-free, and well-ventilated. Outdoor rabbits need shelter from wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. Indoor setups should avoid direct sunlight and overheating.
Cleanliness
A clean setup is a healthy setup. Remove soiled bedding and waste daily, and do a full deep clean every season to prevent buildup of ammonia or bacteria. You do not want the poop to lay under them for more than a few days, attracting flies can cause fly strike, when flies lay eggs on your bunnies and maggots appear.
Diet
Just like free-roamers, caged rabbits need unlimited hay, fresh water, and a balanced pellet feed. Breeding or growing rabbits may have different nutritional needs, so adjust accordingly.
Enrichment
Tunnels, hideouts, boxes, and chew toys keep their minds and bodies active. Rotate items often to keep things interesting.
Handling & Health
Check your outdoor rabbits in cages more often for signs of illness, overgrown nails, and dental issues. Even meat rabbits benefit from calm handling and routine care—it keeps them healthier and makes your job easier.