Question
Rabbits have been domesticated for hundreds of years, historically for farm production/substance reasons. With the move to companion animal being only with in the last 100+ years.
With current technology the most convenient configuration for housing production rabbits is in small, wire bottom cages. Generally outdoors but in large production or scientific operations cages may be indoors. Discussions on the appropriateness of these operations are out of scope for this question/site.
Occasionally there is a crossover, a hybrid production/pet configuration, where rabbits are kept for their natural life (8 - 12 years) in an outdoor hutch. A person having been exposed to production rabbits living in outdoor hutches on a family farm, notices how cute and soft they are. With or without realizing the relatively short life span of scientific/production rabbits, they make a decision to rescue/adopt/purchase a rabbit and keep it in an outdoor hutch.
In my experience people making this choice, believe that they are making a positive choice that will ultimately be a kindness to the rabbit that is now in their care.
Is keeping a pet rabbit in an outdoor hutch for its natural life a kindness?
Answer
Most domesticated rabbits are meant to live indoors.
From bunnymama.com:
Rabbits can be kept outside. MYTH. It is NOT, repeat NOT acceptable to keep a rabbit outdoors in any kind of a pen or cage. In most parts of the country the weather is too extreme for a rabbit to be safe. Excessive heat or intense cold will kill a rabbit that is not properly housed indoors. Here are some good reason why you should NOT keep your bun outdoors. Please make every effort to protect your rabbit, please house him or her in your house with you and your family!
The following links have more information:
Rabbit Rescue: http://www.rabbitrescue.com/outdoordangers.html
House Rabbit Society: http://rabbit.org/faq-rabbits-outdoors/
This in no way mean that they cannot be brought outside for exercise, if it is safe to do so (with a proper harness and a watchful eye).
However, in my experience, bringing my two Holland Lops outside is a rather stressful experience for them, and I would never consider putting them in an outdoor hutch. My home is bunny-proofed and they are much more content to get their exercise in the house, where they are much more comfortable and safe.
Answered By - Bunk