In the wild, rabbits live in burrows and spend most of their time foraging for food – grass, roots and shoots of plants. Living in a hutch allows your rabbit to still live outside and get plenty of sunshine and fresh air.

Hutches can be bought ready made - the floor, roof and sides will be made of wood and weatherproofed. Rabbits will naturally tend to chew wood so make sure that any products used to treat it are not toxic. A good hutch will have two compartments - one about a third of its overall size is enclosed to form cosy sleeping quarters to nest and hide in at night, and the other for the day. The front of this compartment will have smooth wire netting, and be large enough for the rabbit to see out. The minimum size for a good hutch is 120cm x 60cm x 60cm for a single, medium sized breed. It should be high enough that the rabbit can sit upright with his ears pricked, without touching the top of the hutch. If you have more than one rabbit you will need a much bigger hutch with room for them to have their own individual nesting areas.

Place the hutch in a sheltered position, out of direct sunlight; raise it off the ground on bricks or legs to avoid damp; and make sure it is draught-free. Ensure there is a supply of fresh air, if your rabbit is kept in an outbuilding. You should also provide your rabbit with an outdoor run to make sure he gets plenty of exercise, but ensure that it is escape proof.