Hiya everyone.. just need to vent!

Since becoming over runned with rabbits (Not sure how that happened...) I realised that the accommodation i was keeping my bunnies in is no long acceptable for there situation (bonded 3 rabbits together)

So now i have an extra little one in each hutch making the hutch way too small. I decided instead of buying new hutches for lots of money, i would just make a giant one (split in 2) that would fit perfectly in the space i have.

I ordered a heck of a lot of kiln dried pine wood for the frame (around £70 delivered) and have kept it inside and under everyone's feet for a couple months now.

I have a design/plan but I lack the man power, I am able to move the rabbits out of there room and to a temporary room for the build but I just don't have the DIY knowledge or the strength to lift big pieces of wood or cut them to size.

I asked the help of my family and they said they would help, i wanted it done over a weekend so i wasnt forever tripping up over wood everywhere and the job wud be half done.

2 months later and nothing has been sorted Im getting so stressed about it now since the rabbits are no longer allowed outside due to the cold weather Im letting the bunnies play in there own rooms but its not enough for them They really need a big home to relax in.


Does anyone know what i could do? Is DIY easy and ive just been thinking its too hard? I need help here! Do i just need to kick the family up the bum? xxx

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Awww hun (((hugs))) if I can help at all give me a yell, Im no good at DIY but if you find someone who can steer us in the right direction and you just need a pair of hands you know where I am xx

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gsds (Henrick and Bella), the cats (Syd, Lilly, Elvis and Dizzy), the gerbils (Honey, Lisa, crusty, Millhouse, Flanders, Bart and Homer), the rats (Valentine, Flower, Petal, Blossom, Koda, Cava, George), the mice (Minnie, Pop, Seudag, Caraid, Silver, Trouble, Athena, Pandora, Aphrodite, Meep, and Springtime)

Thanks Gill! Chris said the same, think i'm going to have to send mum away somewhere and just get on with it and see how we go one weekend!

Think i might build a huge cage for them, and have Amelie and Bats are 'upstairs bunnies' hehe then they can buzz around upstairs as much as they like x

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DIY is easy I'm sure you can do it! Just take your time measure everything twice before you cut it. Set your self up a good bench or buy a G clamp as a helping hand. Take it all really easy and dont rush.

First make a detailed plan of all the pieces you need allowing for joining.
Spend 1 day carefully measuring and cutting everything to size. Have lots of tea breaks.
Then sand all the wood and measure them against each other so you know there the right size so it'll turn out square
What are you going to use as a base? places like B&Q will cut sheet wood for you.
Spend the next day carefully drilling and screwing and tacking just take your time

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Thanks Emzybabe,

Everything i've made before has split wood, broken and all sorts!
I have all the wood for the frame ready for cutting but i just need the bases and the wire mesh for the surrounding walls etc

What wood would be best for the floor?
Can I put wheels in the bottom of the frame so i can clean behind the hutches easily? Its going to be mesh all the way around so the room stays nice and bright. I will be making dark areas for them to snooze in though Like large nesting box thingys xx

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Defo drill holes before you screw things together.... thats the only DIY tip I have as ive not done much myself. I know if you don't do this your wood is more likely to split

Thank you jo-pop!! x

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Most hutches use 9mm ply wood, You could use wood effect veneer contiboard but you would need to seal the edges with aquarium sealant like if you made a home made vivarium and tbh a rabbit could scratch up the veneer pretty easily. If you want to build something that'll last I would go for 12mm ply wood and get B&Q or Home Base to cut it to size for you.

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As Emzy said, thick ply is a good base, covered in lino is best. I also use OSB board(I think its called that) for mine.
I work my way either top to bottom or from one side to the other, measuring everything and cutting as I go along. Biggest thing is when you are making a frame up(for doors or even for around the outsides, dont forget to measure, taking into consideration the wood its going up against. A mistake I have made too many times!
And as someone said, pre-drill everything and the wood wont split

*Heidi*

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