City and suburban backyards all over the world are participating, at this very moment, in a revolution. Families are completely re-creating their backyards. City dwellers are bringing the countryside into their backyards. We shouldn't be too surprised by this turn of events. In the early 1900s most of our grandfathers would have lived in rural areas. It appears as we have migrated en-mass to the comfort of city jobs and city life, but still miss aspects of our rural roots. We might be trying to experience the best of both worlds.
Two ways to join the backyard revolution.
The first is through urban farming. Wikipedia also describes it as urban agriculture. Urban farming is where city and suburban private space (backyards) is being converted into gardens primarily focused on food for sale or home consumption. Poultry is also included in this.
The second is by inviting wild-life to share our space. We see families erecting bird, possum and squirrel boxes. Others are setting up habitats for frogs, butterflies and dragonflies. Sometimes this is surprisingly easy to do. A friend of mine was interested in a particular type of parrot. A special grass was grown, and like magic three or four parrots started visiting regularly for a safe and plentiful food source. A very popular 'wild' animal to invite back is the rabbit. A few rabbits playing in the backyard is a powerful sign that the country has arrived in the city. Both children and adult visitors respond to the sight of rabbits in a backyard with huge smiles and appreciation.
The fastest and easiest of the two ways to join the backyard revolution is to introduce some 'wild' rabbits to your backyard. Rabbits are popular because they are:
• quite low maintenance, and
• very sociable. Rabbits will easily befriend your cat and given enough time even most dogs.
If you and your family have decided to add two or three rabbits to the family, you will need to consider some outside shelter for them. In the wild rabbits seek shelter in burrows. Domesticated bunnies find shelter in hutches. You will need to ponder some . Unfortunately, one rabbit hutch design will not cover all situations. You need to find a design that suits your rabbits and your backyard.
Some points to consider in this regard.
• Shelter for the weather. If you live in an extremely cold or hot region you will need an insulated hutch.
• Protection from predators. The city and suburbs still has its share of snakes and hawks.
• Exercise space.
• Feeding space.
• Sleeping space.
• Space in which to raise young.
• Do you need a mobile hutch?
• Hutches should last at least ten years. So you will need a hutch made of good quality materials.
• The hutch will need to represent good value for money.
Some additional things you might want to consider. Many people buy rabbit hutches online. This is a wise move. Buy a ready-made rabbit hutch, not a kit hutch. A ready-made hutch will arrive fully assembled, or partially assembled. Any assembly will be easy and minimal. HOWEVER, kit hutches are anything but simple. My one experience with a kit turned out to an ongoing nightmare!
In regards to space; if your rabbits are let out of the hutch each day to exercise and graze, the hutch will not need to be overly spacious. Rabbit's natural shelter are tiny burrows. They find security in small areas. A well designed rabbit hutch will solve most problems found in the above list.
Using the above list you can see there are quite a few things to take into consideration when sketching and discussing your proposed rabbit hutch designs with the family. Of course the kids will want a bunny mall, movie theater and helipad! You should now have enough information to be confidently purchase a pre-built, high quality, value-for-money rabbit hutch which suits your backyard situation.
I hope this has been helpful. Viva la backyard revolution!
Paul is a writer who enjoyes keeping family pets. You can check out Paul's latest website at , where he provides advice on buying rabbit hutches that are designed to suit the needs found in your backyard, including useful topics like Rabbit Hutches on Sale, and more.
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