X Pen Questions

[Hoptimus Prime]

 So I’m expecting my first Flemmie in a few weeks (only prior experience has been with Holland Lops) and have a few questions about his housing for indoors. Once he’s neutered and litter trained, we’re planning on giving him the run of the house. But prior to this, we’re looking at combining two x pens and confining him for litter training and for when we aren’t home, etc. A few questions.

My Holland Lop wouldn’t really jump over barriers that we constructed, which leads me to ask this. One of the x pens is 18 inches tall. I’m assuming that isn’t tall enough, but (just in case) is it? What about 24 inches? Is that enough?

My other question was concerning the bottom of the x pen. The bunny will be in the craft room/office, which is carpeted. So we’re planning on putting a plastic tarp between the x pen and the carpet. I don’t want the bun bun to have to sit on plastic (or would he not care?) so I’m thinking of adding another layer between bunny feet and tarp. Could I put a cloth drop cloth down? That way I can just toss it in the washer when I need to wash it? 

Thanks in advance!

[MoveDiagonally]

I believe the lowest that is recommended is about 30-36″. I don’t think most Flemish Giants are high jumpers though so hopefully someone that knows more about them will comment.

As long as he doesn’t eat the plastic I don’t think it should be huge problem. Another option would be to get a large, cheap, piece of vinyl flooring. If you have a Home Depot near you they may stock this or something like it:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Armstrong-12-ft-Wide-Royelle-Sheffley-Black-and-White-Residential-Sheet-Vinyl-61338405/100157067#.UeYFto1JP4s

You could get enough for two x-pens for under $20.

Another member called around to discount carpet places and ending up getting some sheet vinyl for free I believe. You might find a good deal on something similar on craigslist 

[Enh98]

My only experience with bunnies is my current holland lop and we have him in a 36″ xpen. I’m sure shorter would’ve worked fine as he isn’t a jumper. You might want to go taller especially if you’ll have a hidey house or cardboard box or something in the pen that he could potentially hop on to help him escape. Our xpen has a door which I highly suggest. Even though it is too tall to reach over and into comfortably, we just open the door to clean, change litter, etc. We also got a remnant piece of vinyl from Home Depot as a floor. You could always try something like that over your carpet. It is easy to clean – any spilled water or urine accident doesn’t soak in and wipes easily.

[CheriB603]

As the Mom of a 3 month old flemmie – let me tell you that mine jumps the 30″ baby gate! And not only does she jump it, she does this from floor level while the gate is up on the first step of the stairs we were trying to block! Each bunny is different, but my flemmie is a determined little cuss and easily jumps quite high. We used an XXL dog crate to litter train her, which she obviously could not jump out of. now she has the run of the house. . Good luck!!

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