Improvements in Hutches for Rabbits and like purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left 19th Sept.. 1890-Accepted, 25th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hutches for Rabbits and like purposes.
I, WILLIAM PRATT of Puttenham near Guildford in the County of Surrey School-
master, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improved hutch differs from ordinary hutches in having the nest and breeding
room aloft, that is to say in the upper part of the box, there being a sloping approach
to it from the lower part of the box consisting of sloping boards having cross pieces
to afford a foot hold.
The bottom of the hutch is wired with galvanized netting of large mesh.
The frame-work which forms the open part of the hutch or cage below the nest, is
wired wholly or in part with finer netting. At one end is a frame door also wired.
There is also an outside fall-door opening into the nest above. Both doors have secure
fastenings and the top is by preference covered with galvanized iron or zinc. The
rabbits soon get used to the sloping ladders and enjoy the exercise of running up and
down. They do not however remain long above, except at night, and therefore
deposit their manure on the ground. In consequence of this there is little or no smell,
and the chief objection to keeping rabbits is removed.
Having only a wire bottom, my improved hutch can be placed on the lawn and
the rabbits can feed on the standing grass, and can be moved from place to place.
The butch is quite secured from dogs, cats, rats and the like, and can be left out at
night in perfect safety. It is also warm and dry while airy and clean. It is thus
more healthy than the old sort of hutches.
In various sizes and with slight modifications it is applicable to guinea pigs, pigeons,
and even fowls, which may thus be allowed to pick up insects without scratching up
the turf.
11
A
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hutches for Rabbits and like purposes.
I, WILLIAM PRATT of Puttenhamn near Guildford in the County of Surrey, School-
master, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:
This invention is the result of experiments made with a view to devise a form of
hutch for rabbits and other domestic pets, which shall be self cleaning and free from
unpleasant odour and thus render unnecessary the irksome task of frequent cleansing
required by the hutches ordinarily used.
This object has been successfully attained and anyone keeping rabbits or fowls in
the hutch hereafter described will be free from the annoyances referred to, and
which at present deter so many people from keeping such creatures as they would like
to do.
My improved hutch has another advantage, namely, that rabbits or fowls kept in it
can be allowed to eat the standing grass on a lawn without injury, as burrowing or
scratching is not possible.
No alteration is required in the hutch itself for this purpose and it can be moved
from place to place without difficulty, the creatures inside being safe from attack by
dogs or rats.
It is found by practical experience that in this form of hutch, rabbits do not deposit

page_text: their droppings in the sleeping compartment, and as the bottom of the hutch is always
on the ground, or on a tray containing earth, and is formed of open wire netting and
not of board, there is no unpleasant odour or other annoyance.
My improved hutch differs from ordinary hutches in having the nest or breeding
room aloft, that is to say in the upper part of the box, there being a sloping approach
to it from the lower part of the hutch. This slope may be constructed of fine
galvanized netting, or of galvanized sheet iron or of wood as preferred, the two latter
substances having cross pieces or flutes to afford a foothold.
I will now describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which Fig. 1 shews an elevation in perspective of my improved hutch.
li will be seen that the bottom of the hutch a, is formed of open wire of rather
large mesh. b, is the frame-work which forms the cage or open part of the hutch,
below the nest, and it is covered on all or most of its sides vith a rather fine wire.
netting.
Inside this door the feeding
At one end is the door c, also of framework wired.
trough can be attached or it may be inserted from the side. The fall door d, shewn
open affords an entrance to the nest above. A partition e, divides the nest from the
small platform above the slope g.
Both doors have secure fastenings, with staples for padlocks if desired. The
top 7. may be flat or angular and is by preference covered with galvanized iron
or zinc.
Rabbits or fowls find no difficulty in using the slopes, and the former seem to enjoy
the exercise of running up and down. They do not however remain long above in the
day time, and consequently deposit their manure on the ground.
In consequence of this and the deodorizing properties of the earth there is little or
When the hutch
no smell, and the chief objection to keeping rabbits is removed.
cannot be placed on a lawn or on the ground a shallow tray containing earth, sand,
peat, chalk or other suitable substance can be placed beneath.
The hutch is quite secure from dogs, cats, rats, and the like, and can be left out at
It is thus more
night in perfect safety. It is warm and dry while airy and clean.
healthy than the old sort of butches.
In various sizes and with slight modifications my improved hutch is applicable to
guinea pigs pigeons, ducks and fowls, which may thus be allowed to pick up insects.
without destroying the turf. Wheels can be added in large sizes, and in order to
ensure contact between the hutch and the ground, the axle of the wheels may be
arranged to slip beyond. the butch when it is stationary, and to be easily brought back
under the hutch when it has to be moved, and become fixed. there by a small pin or
side hook.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion; and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
A butch or pen for rabbits and other creatures, consisting of a cage below with wire
work bottom and sides, and a box above containing a nest or nests, there being access
from the cage to the nest by means of a sloping path or ladder, as herein described
and set forth.
1000
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent Agent.