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Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Any recent experience with these condos/mini-condos on eBay?

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    • joea64
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        I’ve been researching the question of NIC-based “bunny condos” while getting ready to adopt bunnies, and I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that due to my limited handyman skills, it’d be better to buy a prebuilt one/have one custom-built.  So while searching around on Google for people who do custom-built bunny condo jobs, I found this eBay seller:

        http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pet-Bunny-R…1438.l2649

        The dimensions are the same as what I’ve been planning on (29″ x 29″ x 14″ per level). The “default” model only comes in 2 levels but I’ve been in communication with the seller and he’s happy to do a custom 3-level job which should provide ample space for two small/medium rabbits. So I’m thinking very seriously about going that route right now.

        I know there’s at least one thread reporting a positive experience with these condos:

        https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

        but that thread is about 3 years old, so I wanted to ask if anyone has had more recent experience with these habitats?


      • Wick & Fable
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          I believe many people use the grid-condos to great success. The details people concern over is 1) stability and 2) flooring.

          1) Cable ties work well to make it much more secure. For larger rabbits, you may want to add wood blocks or some supportive structure underneath 2nd and 3rd story flooring, just in case.

          2) Some people use carpet, coroplast, fleece… Up to you, based on your desired cleaning maintenance and rabbit’s chewing habits.

          The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.


        • tobyluv
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            That size doesn’t seem very big to me. I’ve read that rabbits should be able to hop (at least in one direction) 4 hops in their cage. A cage that’s 29″ wouldn’t allow for that. Even a 3 level condo wouldn’t have much room on each individual level. When you place litter boxes, food and water dishes, and toys, the floor space would be even less. The larger 2 story pen on eBay would give the rabbits more space and have better dimensions. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rabbit-cage-Indoor-BUNNY-CONDO-deluxe-hutch-pet-pen-large-smooth-soft-floors-/350574446559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=620052833636&hash=item519fdd87df. Of course, it’s more expensive. You would be paying a good bit for supplies and directions, since you will have to put it together yourself. There are a lot of setups shown here in the BUNNY INFO section when you click on Habitats, but there are no directions. I have seen some posts here with fairly detailed info on how a member put together the grids to make a condo.


          • joea64
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              Posted By tobyluv on 7/26/2017 6:11 PM

              That size doesn’t seem very big to me. I’ve read that rabbits should be able to hop (at least in one direction) 4 hops in their cage. A cage that’s 29″ wouldn’t allow for that. Even a 3 level condo wouldn’t have much room on each individual level. When you place litter boxes, food and water dishes, and toys, the floor space would be even less. The larger 2 story pen on eBay would give the rabbits more space and have better dimensions. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rabbit-cage-Indoor-BUNNY-CONDO-deluxe-hutch-pet-pen-large-smooth-soft-floors-/350574446559?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=620052833636&hash=item519fdd87df. Of course, it’s more expensive. You would be paying a good bit for supplies and directions, since you will have to put it together yourself. There are a lot of setups shown here in the BUNNY INFO section when you click on Habitats, but there are no directions. I have seen some posts here with fairly detailed info on how a member put together the grids to make a condo.

              I understand what you’re saying here, and I did worry about that; I live in a very small apartment, an efficiency really, and I need to balance the space rabbits need with the space I have available the best I can, hence thinking about building up rather than out. However, I discussed the issue with the people at Friends of Rabbits, the rabbit rescue I’m adopting from, and showed them the plans that I’d been working on before finding this condo, also sending them the link you’ve looked at, and they do believe it’ll be adequate for a pair of small rabbits such as I’m looking to adopt. I’m aware of the expense and If I were more confident in my DIY skills, I’d attempt the project myself, but there are certain things (such as building the floor and the ramp/platform) that I have neither the tools nor the skills for.

              However – that having been said, I just took some more measurements of the space I’m planning to put the condo in.  I could make that other 2-story condo work, the 43″ L x 29″ W x 31″ H, but I might have to get the builder to put the door in the 29″ W side, since I’d have to turn it around at a 90-degree angle from its usual lengthwise positioning for it to fit properly (I have to put two pieces of furniture to either side of it).  Another significant advantage of getting the other condo is that I’ll be able to see the TV easier from my reclining chair, which would be next to the condo (I’d have to do some bunnyproofing there!) I have to admit I didn’t really think about this one because I was stuck in thinking of arranging it lengthwise in its “default” position, but yeah, that might be better. I’ll have to go back and talk with various people about it and see what kind of space I have once I clean out that area and rearrange it properly.

              @Wick: I’m asking the builder what he might suggest for reinforcing the 2nd and 3rd floor levels, assuming I go with my original plan instead of switching to @tobyluv’s suggestion. The buns should be about 5 to 6 pounds full grown (which I’m told they are, or nearly so), and with a 1/2-size platform on the third level there’d probably only be one rabbit occupying that area at any given time. Carpeting is being used for the floor, so the main issue I’d have to watch for is the bunnies deciding it might be worth chewing; I might get some seagrass mats and lay it over the carpet to help reduce the temptation.

               

               


            • joea64
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                I think I’m going to go ahead and get the 2-level 43″ x 29″ x 31″ condo once I finalize the adoption (I’m planning a get-better-acquainted meeting with one of the pairs I’m considering this weekend). I talked to the builder and he agrees the two-level one provides more stretching/hopping space, and he can modify as needed (or sell parts for me to mod the habitat with). I took further measurements once I did some housecleaning and I think I should be able to fit the condo in by turning it lengthwise parallel to my recliner, and put (or have installed) a door at the shorter side to allow the bunnies direct access to the play/exercise area. I have a pretty good amount of space for the rabbits to play and run in with a collapsible X-pen setup, I’m figuring up to 3 feet by 8 feet depending. I’ll be in the pen with the buns or sitting right next to it pretty much the whole time they’re out, so they’ll have contact with me all the time. With my efficiency-apartment setup I’ll always be within sight/sound range of the buns except when I’m in the bathroom or closet, so opportunities for pretty fairly constant interaction during my at-home hours.


              • joea64
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                  As a postscript, I’ve ordered the two-story 43″ x 29″ x 31″ bunny condo, with acrylic guards around the bottom level to protect from “accidents” as Panda and Fernando get accustomed to their new home, and an extra door on the front side to allow them direct entrance and exit to the play area  . Hopefully I’ll get it early next week so that I can get it assembled before next weekend!


                • joea64
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                    I received the (unassembled) bunny condo safe and sound today via UPS. Had to go back and forth with UPS to make sure they knew exactly where to drop it off, but they got the idea and now there’s a great big box leaning next to the box in which the new exercise pen is stored. Next step is to assemble that sucker – I darn well better do a good job seeing that Panda and Fernando will be calling it home for (I hope, knock on wood!) the next decade or so.

                    UPDATE: I screwed the caster wheels onto the (sturdy) wooden base last evening, helpful for mobility as one of these days it’s possible I’ll move to a bigger place, and spent a good deal of time carefully examining the various components. The grids for the lower level are securely attached to the base, so all I need to do are tie them in place to each other and then assemble the upper level. Most of the labor is going to be in tying grids together with cable ties and making certain they align properly. Only the upper level is actually carpeted; the lower level of the habitat, where Panda and Fernando will likely spend most of their time when inside, is a solid plastic plate with a nubby surface that looks easy to clean and should provide good traction for the buns’ tootsies, but I’m thinking about getting a couple of timothy or seagrass mats for extra comfort. I’ll also have to work out how to set up the acrylic urine-guard plates that I ordered with the package; I believe they’ll have to be fastened in place with cable ties too.


                  • tobyluv
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                      I hope that your bunnies enjoy their new condo and that it’s not too much of a pain to complete the assembly.


                    • joea64
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                        Posted By tobyluv on 8/15/2017 7:23 AM

                        I hope that your bunnies enjoy their new condo and that it’s not too much of a pain to complete the assembly.

                        I’m taking it a step at a time, the same as I’ve done with everything else since I started on this wild and crazy journey to long-eared fluffball housemates , so I genuinely don’t expect many problems with the assembly beyond some ripe oaths as I attempt to put together 3 grids at once for one of the upper-level corners. I’ve read through the instruction sheet several times already and have a lot of cable ties so everything should be nicely in order by this weekend!


                      • joea64
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                          About halfway through bunny condo construction now. The lower level is complete, with the acrylic urine guards installed and the doors on front and side verified to work and lock properly, and I put in two of the four corners on the upper level; it really wasn’t that hard, after all was said and done, to cable-tie the three grids for those together after all! The only snag, and that can be fixed by another trip to the store, is that the litter pan I’d bought last weekend turned out to be a little too big to go through a 15″ door. I need a pan that’s a skosh smaller.


                        • joea64
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                            DONE!

                             

                            Picture of the completed bunny condo to follow later: it was a bit over an hour’s work to complete the upper level. It’s not 100.0% perfect – the “ceiling” sags slightly – but it’s pretty good work for a terrified amateur (me  ) if I do say so myself. I’m glad I got the black wire with tan upper-level carpet; it matches my furnishings perfectly. The way it’s set up, the corner where the litterbox will go is under the ramp to the upper level, forming a quiet, secluded corner which should be very much to my rabbits’ liking.


                          • joea64
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                              Here we go – this is the future home of Panda and Fernando! You can see their other bunny gear waiting for them on the left-hand side of the pic, including a 66-quart bin stuffed full of hay (and a litterbox that’s a little too big for the doors, I’ll have to go get a slightly smaller one). The entire structure is on caster wheels for easy rollout when I need to change litter, refresh hay or water, or clean the condo. The lower level is floored with solid plastic with a nubby, pebble-y texture which should provide good traction for their feet and maybe wear their nails down a little too; the upper level is fully carpeted along with the ramp leading up to it. The litterbox will go under the ramp in a corner protected by full-size clear acrylic panels; smaller acrylic panels ring the rest of the lower level except for the front door to help protect against stray pee and hay.


                            • Vienna Blue in France
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                                Joe, I’ve just come to this post. Sorry. It looks good !!
                                What i “would’ have said, but ill still say it, just in case… is, do you have access inside to the top level, and also the bottom level other than than catflap?
                                If not, you could cut a few cable ties whcih support the roof part and attach them firmly but temporarily with something else like dogclips or a small carabiner type clip allowing you acces to clean up, stroke bunnies or place toys….

                                Check out my condo making thread or Azerane’s photos to see what i mean if necessary.

                                Cant wait to see pics of buns in situ !!


                              • joea64
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                                  Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 8/17/2017 6:49 AM

                                  Joe, I’ve just come to this post. Sorry. It looks good !!
                                  What i “would’ have said, but ill still say it, just in case… is, do you have access inside to the top level, and also the bottom level other than than catflap?
                                  If not, you could cut a few cable ties whcih support the roof part and attach them firmly but temporarily with something else like dogclips or a small carabiner type clip allowing you acces to clean up, stroke bunnies or place toys….

                                  Check out my condo making thread or Azerane’s photos to see what i mean if necessary.

                                  Cant wait to see pics of buns in situ !!

                                  If you look closely at the picture – I had to reduce it in size for posting here – you can see a spring latch in the long side on the upper level. There’s a door there in the middle panel, and another door just like it in the same place on the lower level. That makes 3 doors in all. I’d like to have a top door fastened in the style you describe, but I’m not sure where the best place to put it is seeing that there are only 6 grids on the upper level roof and they’re all connected to each other (except for the grid right behind the upper-level door which, for obvious reasons, isn’t connected there).

                                  *stares at the picture again*

                                  *lightbulb*

                                  What if I cut the cable ties on two sides of that grid, leaving the third attached to the grid directly behind it, and then fastened that panel to the upper-level door with those clips you described? Would that work?

                                  Or maybe I could order another “catflap” (as you call it) door for the upper level and put it right above the lower-level “catflap” door…


                                • Deleted User
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                                    That’s pretty cool! Personally, I just hate hate hate hate hate hate hate the “cage” look!!!! I have a cage and I can’t wait to build a little hutch out of this old tv stand thing I found at the consignment shop for $30! I’m a complete homebody and I want to paint and decorate their little hutch because it’s much more appealing to me It’s not very big, but I have free range buns so it will really only be for keeping them confined when I have to have maintenance done in the apartment…Once there was an emergency and they had to go in my apt to fix a burst pipe and bun was out while they were working she chewed up the rubber handle on their hammer LOL. That’ll teach em to have stuff lying around bun… Also I just don’t feel like it’s safe to have her out when there are tools and random debris hanging around. So when I know they are coming I try to take off work so that I only have to keep them cooped up until they are done… If it only takes 2 hours I don’t want them locked away all day…. they are way too spoiled by me >.> <.<


                                  • joea64
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                                      I know what you mean – generally, my apartment complex’s maintenance people only come by once every quarter for A/C filter change and fire extinguisher/smoke alarm check, or when I specifically summon them to deal with a problem. Henceforth I’m going to have to make certain to request that anyone who enters my apartment for servicing not disturb the bunnies or let them out of the habitat.


                                    • Deleted User
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                                        lol the property managers probably think I am absolutely nuts… I have signs posted on my door saying 1) never spray for bugs unless I have requested it and I am home and 2) call me if you have to enter the unit unexpectedly ….. About 2 months after I got Ophelia, the jack@$$ with pest control came and sprayed my kitchen and literally used so much spray there was a PUDDLE of it near my fridge where he had sprayed between the counter and fridge. I didn’t know they sprayed but I thought it smelled funny in my apt and I went into the kitchen to get her salad and she came running in and stepped in it, then went to lick her paws!! I freaked out of course. I threw some lettuce down really quick to distract her and grabbed a wet towel to start wiping her paws down. I was LIVID. So, both my complex and pest control got absolutely chewed out…. so I am probably known as the crazy bunny lady hahaha


                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                          What if I cut the cable ties on two sides of that grid, leaving the third attached to the grid directly behind it, and then fastened that panel to the upper-level door with those clips you described? Would that work?

                                          Lol…. yep i think it would work, though you may find the two end ones droop a little without an extra tightening on the sides, but that could be sorted by a cunningly placed long piece of wood or curtain rail or dowel rod cable tied to the top part (inside or out) to keep it all straight….

                                          Of course you could leave it for a bit and see if just the lifty-uppy door suits you, or if you would prefer to come in from the top so to speak, meaning you not have to kneel on each cleaning out…

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                                      Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Any recent experience with these condos/mini-condos on eBay?