Alright, so from the comments I got on my other design and from looking through cages that other people on here have designed, I’ve drafted up a new plan! Sorry it’s another long post, but any comments or suggestions would be really helpful, thanks!
Here’s what I’m hoping it will look like:
So my plan is to make it sort of like a big shelving unit. It’ll have the three floors with a layer of plywood, then a layer of coroplast (the corrugated plastic), then a ring of trim around it. Then I’ll attach it all together by putting 2″x4″ along each end, and under the floors if they need more support. Like this:
Then I’m going to wrap it in the wire, just need to find the right kind. Would this be strong enough? http://www.homedepot.ca/product/hex-wire-netting-48-inches-x-50-feet-1-inch/953130 I was going to make it out of the NIC grids, but in Canada they seem to be ridiculously expensive, and because they’re 14″x14, the measurements don’t work out as nicely with the sheets of plywood and coroplast. I’m going to have to figure out how exactly to make the doors; I may get some grids to make the doors easier. Then I’ve just got shelves on the wall beside it to use for storage. I’m going to put the hay and litter in plastic bins, so they should fit nicely there.
Now for a few questions.
1. The space between each level is going to be 1 1/2 feet, so I was going to put a step under the hole so that they can jump up, and also make it into a hidey house, but I was wondering how big I should make both the step, and the hole. I was thinking of making the step 2×1 feet and 1 foot high, or 1 1/2 x 3/4 feet and 3/4 of a foot high. Which one would be better? Then I was going to make the hole either 3/4 x 3/4 or 1/2 x 1/2. Again, which size would be better?
2. For two bunnies with a 3 level cage, how many litter boxes should they have? And how many hay racks, water bottles and food dishes should they have?
– I’ll put a hay rack in the litter box, but should the water bottle(s) and food dish(es) go in the litter box as well?
– If I only have one litter box, is there a certain floor I should put it on? I was thinking the top floor because it wont have one of the big steps on it, so it wont be as crowded.
3. The wall of the top level is going to be 1 1/2 feet high, so should I still put a roof on it, or do you think they’ll realize it’s pretty high up and not try to jump?
4. I know now that having soft bedding all over the cage may confuse them for their litter training, but should I make little fleece mats/blankets for them to put out, or just a couple of beds?
If I’ve missed anything, please let me know! Can’t wait to hear what you guys think. Thanks!