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Need some advice on housing

1K views 10 replies 3 participants last post by  fuzzymum 
#1 ·
Hi all,

Soooo, been a bit of a nightmare week. Our garage got flooded last week - quite scarily so and that is where my bunnies lived. I was out there in my pyjamas with water upto my waist and was convinced that my babies had drowned as their hutches were completely covered over with fast flowing water :( I couldnt reach them and i was distraught :(

My OH went back out once the water had subsided - and there are two very wet, but very alive bunnies :D we can only think that being penned in they were pushed to the side of their crates/hutches and this saved them. They must have been so frightened :(

Anyway, their hutches etc are ruined.


They both had dog crates attached which I have managed to salvage (and were only shut in overnight, thank god!) and are currently in my spare room and not very happy about it.



They are a little cramped at the moment but they are alive with not a scratch on them!! Amazing bunnies :)

So - now the task of rebuilding their homes (and paying for it, eek!).

Im thinking of building pens for them this time - I have alot of room to work with. As you can see Olly is a big bun and Squeak not so big - Rough guide line on size?

Also how high do you think I should build it? Materials? Im starting from scratch so need some help.

Also, any pics of similar housing would be much appreciated.

Thankyooou :D
 
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#2 ·
I am sorry to hear about the flooding :( But very happy that the bunnies are OK :)

Have you thought about bonding them before you build them a new area? It would be much nicer for them and much easier for you when it comes to an enclosure :)

For a reasonably cheap and easy way to make up a pen, you can use these

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easipet-Met...YCSU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356604672&sr=8-3

They will need to be the 3ft tall ones at least, all rabbits can jump at least 2ft if they want to.

If you use a wall as one of your sides, you can make it bigger(if that makes sense) and maybe put a sheld up for them to sit on :) A small dog kennel would work as a bed, or you could use the crates you have now (if you put a piece of wood on top, they may use that as a shelf aswell(mine did).
 
#3 ·
Thankyou for your reply :)

Yes, Olly will be neutered in the very near future. We have only had him a few weeks - and they get on really well through the bars and do lay next to eachother. So I think whilst they are on house rest it will be good to get him sorted and recovered before going back out to the garage. Squeak is a little old lady and has not taken to another bun since her mum died, but seems to readily allow Olly to groom her which is lovely.

Good idea, I am really looking forward to building them a new enclosure. Olly can jump a good 4 foot (as I found out this morning when he jumped up onto my desk :rolleyes:) - any idea on covering the top?

Also, I know the current set up is not ideal. They do come out for a chance to run around - and it is a very temporary situation, but any suggestions on ways to keep them entertained? I have had to replace all their food/hay/trays/litter so am a little short on money until next week so homemade would be even better!!

xx
 
#4 ·
Covering the top will be a problem, mine have never been bothered to jump it (Darwin jumped 3 1/2 ft to get to the other bunnies once though). If they are going to live together, can you not bunny proof the garage, or a section of the garage. If they have a nice enough and spacious enough space I don't think they will jump the pen, I have a 3ft fence on 1 of my runs which I know Darwin "could" jump but he doesnt bother.

The only way to make sure they are secure would be to make it higher - then you might aswell make it high enough for you to walk into - so 6ft - you can by "kennel panels" or "aviary panels" at that or you could build them with wood and mesh (make panels and screw them together.

As for entertainment - toilet and kitchen rolls, boxes (big or small, if you put some treats in a small box they will throw it around) anything paper really. Old catalogues to rip up :)
 
#6 ·
so glad they are safe and well. do they have a run that you put them in in the summer? you could use this as temporary housing.

if neither of them are neutered one will probably try to get to the other and jump any fencing. they really arnt that messy just to have a room to themselves I have a bunny in my bathroom at the moment as she's been unwell but I have previously had freerange house bunnies. a dining room or even a corridor can work well provided you've not got dogs/cats.
 
#7 ·
Thankyou for all of your replies.

Unfortunately having them as house bunnies is not an option - no room at the inn! Their outdoor run was ruined too.

I have looked into getting some panels to make a walk in section of the garage and Olly is booked in to be neutered next week. I assume there is a settling period before I can introduce them after he is done? 6 weeks?

Also - what size would you recommend the area to be? I would have thought that once they are together he wouldnt try to jump the fence *fingers crossed*

xx
 
#8 ·
are you claiming on your insurance for the roof repairs and damages? just a thought.

Do you plan to put them back in the garage? they cant go outside now until the weathers frost free Aprilish time.

I personally have one of these as a run its lasted a good 4 years and I expect it keep going another 4. (the larger one is just suitable for bunnies) ideally you want a 6x6ft run if you know someone who can make them.

Trixie Outdoor Metal Run - Rectangle: Great Deals on Small Pet Runs at zooplus

Also its worth keeping an eye on ebay and freecycle. My rabbits live in a childs wendy house which I got on ebay for £46.

It would be a good idea to wait 6 weeks but I think they are only fertile for upto 4 weeks post op so see how he goes.

Bonding isnt always a simple process but if they are grooming through the cages thats a good sign.
 
#9 ·
We have had no frost here - and there are radiators in the garage - as soon as they are working again. will it be ok for them to go outside if i pop the heating on low?

I have turned the heating off in the room they are in and the windows are open - it feels colder in there than outside - so they have not been kept hotter than normal.
 
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