Looking for ideas on adding outdoor run to the house

[LittleDoll]

I recently posted a question about building some kind of outdoor run for our bunnies Little Doll and Magic. I still have questions and I was not sure if I was supposed to continue the previous post or if it was too old, so I am posting a new one. Please, let me know if I am wrong.

Currently our bunnies have their own regular sized room. Despite of me cleaning the room and completely washing litterboxes the room smells very strong. For once, hay has a very strong smell to it. I buy Timothy Hay, and I tried different brands. I think combination of hay and maybe urine in the boxes creates that strong smell. The bunnies use litterbox for urinating, but there are still many droppings all over the floor. The younger rabbit Magic droppings are larger, and I can tell that he uses the boxes more consistently than the older rabbit Little Doll. I just ordered a cordless stick vacuum which is supposed to be lightweight and not noisy.

We live on 3 acres, and I think it would be very good if the bunnies had an access to outdoors as well. The way our house build makes it difficult for taking them out and bringing them back it. My husband and I thinking of possibly making an exit out of one of the 1st floor rooms instead of the window, and adding some kind of shed with large completely fenced run area. We would absolutely make sure that the temperature would be appropriate, and would never put the bunnies into cold or hot enviroment. I think they would enjoy running outside as they wish and go inside any time.

Some members suggested using an x-pen. I originally had Little Doll in x-pen. She is small, about 4 lbs, older and is not as active as Magic. Magic weighs about 7 lbs, young and extremely active, curious and strongwilled rabbit. She never agreed to stay in the pen even for short time, and she obviously requires more room to run in order to be happy. Even the whole room is not enough for her to explore because every time I open the door she waits to escape and explore the hallway and other rooms. Magic is also very strong and almost impossible to pick up. She fights and kicks with hind legs, and I do not want to traumatize her.

I am just exploring different ideas of creating happy environment for our bunnies while making its maintanence less demanding because I am really getting exsausted of demanding cleaning routine and having strong smell in the house.

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[Beka27]

A new thread is fine. But for reference for others, this is the previous thread: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/123949/afnp/320444/Default.aspx

I have some questions about this dynamic. I meant to post previously on the old thread, but time got away from me.

Your daughter is a teenager, is she taking the rabbits with her at some point when she moves, or are you basically “adopting” the rabbits from her and they’ll be with you forever? I’d be hesitant to build any type of structure if this is going to be a less-than-permanent living situation.

Are the rabbits spay/neutered? It sounds like Magic is a boy and Little doll is a girl, so I assume they are both fixed and have been the whole time?

From your other post, it sounds like Little Doll is a senior bunny (6+ years) and Magic is quite young. What are your long-term plans, assuming you take full ownership? Will you be seeking out a mate for Magic if/when Little Doll passes? I know it’s a sad thing to think about, but this gives more info into your level of commitment toward “keeping bunnies” long-term.

As for your actual question, I’ve seen some pictures involving covered ramps and pet doors leading to an outside space. It looks to be a huge undertaking. Are you wanting them to have all day access to outside, but they’d be housed inside primarily?

[bunnylova123]

 I found this on the RWAF site ages ago. Maybe you could make something similar in your house, then leading to a cat flap? A place called runaround sells pre made tubes that can easily be attached to mesh.http://www.runaround.co.uk/, some of it’s quite expensive though.

[bunnylova123]

I just read your last post, I have an almost identical set up to what you just mentioned! I’ll attach some pics of the shed, sorry it’s a bit messy, it’s been lived in, gnawed on, peed on etc by bunnies for 5 years

[bunnylova123]

If you want any advice on how I made it, just ask.

[LittleDoll]

Thank you, Beka27. My daughter is not moving out anytime soon. The bunnies will stay in our house.

Both Magic and Little Doll are spayed females. Yes, I have been thinking about what to do when Little Doll passess. I would get another mate for Magic close to her age.

I want them to be housed inside, just not in the same room as they are now. My husband says he can build some kind of add on shed and a large covered run. I am just looking for ideas what it could look like, for example what the flooring should be made of.  

BTW your bunnies are very cute

[LittleDoll]

My husband says it would be pretty easy to put a metal mesh fence around and on top to protect from predators. I wasnt sure if the bunnies can use a cat flap.

[LittleDoll]

bunnylova123, this is a very nice setting. I like that there are several window that the bunnies can enjoy. Do they actually look through the windows?

[bunnylova123]

Yeah, on sunny days they sunbathe, and Vienna always watches me when I clean out her run

[bunnylova123]

I have seen bunnies use cat flaps in the past, and I think if I tried I could teach mine, but they never quite got the hang of it!

[Beka27]

Thank you for the clarification! This helps so much! I think if you foresee being a “bunny mommy” for a long time, then yes, it would be nice to make a safe outdoor space for use on nice days. Is their room towards the back of the house? Depending on what you wanted to do, it would be neat if you could make changes that could be easily converted post-bunny. I’m thinking of a sliding patio door off the room leading to a small deck platform. Then the deck and immediate space outside could be caged in for protection. And then if you ever did not have bunnies, or moved, the room would make a nice guest bedroom with small deck.

[AshleyLovesBunnies]

I think this is a great idea if your gonna be a bunny mommy for a long while.

 

The shed I have attached would be easy to build or buy. I think you could build it connecting to your house. I like how they have a wooden door, and also a screen door. Inside I would have levels and a run attached to it. As for the flooring I would put down cheap carpet, wood, or tile.

 

 

[Deleted User]

I know you’re saying that you’re having some cleaning issues. Have you tried going back to the basics of litter training to help with the bun’s pooing issue? I’m just thinking that maybe concealing them to a smaller area until they get their pooing under control may help. They won’t be happy about the change but it may help.

I know it may sound weird but bun’s love looking through windows. My little girl Skipper can’t jump up onto the window so she’ll beg for me to get down on my hands and knees so that she can jump up on my back then to the window sill so she look out.

As for outdoor housing. Beka’s suggestion would be totally brilliant and something that your buns would love. I did notice that you mentioned a hay smell. Are you currently storing the hay in the room with the buns? Storing the hay in a different room even building a hay loft can help with diminishing the smell.

Also, the heavy urine smell. Are you sure you’re picking up every where they are going potty. I’m just thinking that maybe the reason why you’re smelling a strong urine odor is because maybe they’re using the restroom somewhere on the carpet and you’re not just seeing it so you haven’t been able to clean it.

I would, also, just have an honest frank talk with your daughter about needing her help with the buns. She’ll give you a bunch of attitude about it at first but you should really stress the importance of her helping. I know when I was giving my mom crap when I was a teenager about doing the cat litter she would take away my phone if I didn’t keep up with it. I was being such a brat one time she even placed the full litter box on my bed to get her point across. Needless to say I began to help my mom with the chores.

I’m sorry if this isn’t all that helpful.

[Beka27]

Have you been doing more research, Little Doll? What are you coming up with?

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