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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Feedback on my Enclosure?

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    • Paula
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        Hey guys, this Saturday (finally) I am going to get my two bunnies and I’m hoping to get some feedback on the enclosure I’ve set up for them.

        We had originally planned to put two x-pens together (8’x8′) in our room, but over the weekend my husband had a (I think) great idea.  We have a large walk-in closet (6’x7.5′) that we hardly use and after I was talking to him about trying to figure out ways they can get away from the dog if she scares them, he had an idea of incorporating that area and just one x-pen.  The first image shows the overall space and the pictures show it as it’s set up (although I was still working on some things when I took the photos yesterday).  As it is now, their area is the closet space, plus an area of approx 4’x6′ beyond that.

        Here is the layout:

        And here it is (while I was still working on it, with cat model):

        I’m just looking for suggestions or tips to make it better.

        Thanks!


      • katie, max & penny
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          looks good! the most important thing is entertainment. cardboard boxes, baskets, chew toys, etc.


        • Paula
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            Cool. I haven’t put any toys in yet because the girl at the rescue told me they’d show me the ones they like there when I get to pick them up. She said most we can make at home and the others they sell there, so I’ll buy them there and benefit the rescue.


          • mrmac
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              It looks great! I agree once you have them you will start to learn what they like and can add things like boxes and toys and such. Some bunnies are diggers, some are chewers, etc. I would probably (well knowing my bunnies) find some kind of cover or protect the door that is going into the closet, if that makes sense?! Bare corners/baseboards do not last long especially with my buns!


            • Paula
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                I’m thinking of wrapping a side of the ex-pen around it, if that’s reasonable, or having my husband remove the doors altogether.

                Thanks guys!


              • mrmac
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                  I think covering it with the x-pen would be enough. If they start chewing at them through the pen you could always just remove them later!


                • Furface
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                    It looks great.

                    If you haven’t already, I would suggest finding a way to attach the pen to both sides of the wall.
                    My 3 pound dwarfs can easily move their pen so 2 Flemmies will need it securely attached but you will want clips of some sort for your entry.

                    You may also want the water in corner away from the food corner, at least until you find out how water sloppy your pair are.


                  • Paula
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                      Good idea Furface, thanks, we were thinking of pusing something sturdy up against either side, like a litter box on one side and maybe a table on the other. I figure the first few days will be a huge learning curve for us.

                      Thanks all.


                    • RachelB
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                        A few suggestions…
                        1) Make sure the table is high enough that there is NO way for them to jump over the gate up onto it. Bunnies tend to jump/climb to higher areas esp. if there is something to land on.
                        2) I also agreee with covering the carpet (at least at first!!) Even if they have previously been perfect with their litter habbits they might mark up their new space at first. Some indoor/outdoor carpet, or throwrugs will be easy to clean if they do make messes!!
                        3) Some bunnies like hard smooth surfaces to lay/dig/cool themselves on. So you might want to add a few large tiles for them to lay on. You can get really cheap ones on clearance at any home reno place (Homedepot/Lowes/etc).
                        4) Give them a spot to hide (a large box) big enough for both of them to fit in! This might help them feel more secure in their new home quickr because they feel safe! Just cut out at least two big holes (they like having multiple enterance/exits for a quicker escape).
                        5) Some favorite toys at my house are: tunnels (you can purchase cardboard concrete forms for really cheap), boxes to chew on, and anything willow!

                        They are going to LOVE their space. It looks great!!! I cant wait to see photos of the two new bunnies!!!


                      • RachelB
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                          Oh and I just got a good idea. Since their cage is already in a closet you might add some levels using traditional closet shelving units. In my next place I am going to do a whole room with this stuff. You just attach the white posts to the back wall and then put the shelving (I would use the 18″ wide stuff) at whatever height you think you would want a level for them. You can add different levels (and if you are nervous of them jumping off you could enclose the front as well.) Here a photo of the stuff I am talking about. Just thought it might be a fun project to do…


                        • Paula
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                            1 – Good point. I’ll have to look at that more closely.
                            2 – The gray stuff is indoor/outdoor carpet I got at Home Depot. The actual carpet is beige. Do I need something more than that do you think?
                            3 – I’ll check that out. I assume you’re thinking of the larger tiles that are like a foot square? How many do you think I should get? They are two JUMBO bunnies.
                            4 – I used an old pet store cage covered with a fleece blankie, but I don’t know if it will be big enough for comfortable for both bunnies – here it is, again, with cat model – http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee10/paulammoore/092709/100_9432.jpg
                            5 – I will get them a large box or boxes and I’m going to find out for sure what toys they like and get some when I pick them up on Saturday.

                            And good idea on the shelving!  Oh, and one other thing, what do you mean by cardboard concrete forms?  Sorry, I’ve just never heard of those before.


                          • RachelB
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                              Paula-
                              Sounds like you are well prepaired for the new arrivals!!!
                              I think the indoor/outdoor carpet you have in there will work fine!! You might add a throwrug to one corner so they have a choice of texture and another place to dig/rearrange. I was thinking the jumbo tiles (I think they are like 16″) Id add a row of them like 3-4 along one wall. My two little buns snuggle on the one that I have. They just barely fit so I think 3-4 will work for your big guys.
                              Id try to get a box that they both could fit in together, supermarkets are great places to ask for boxes. Just make sure you dont put it near the x-pen fence bc they will hop on top of it and use it to clear the gate!!

                              Cant wait to see them!


                            • Sarita
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                                I guess my only concern is that they have adequate natural light which maybe they will get from the pen you have attached. You don’t want them living in the dark all day.

                                Also I wonder if you are going to let them free roam anytime and be around the family? I just would be concerned that they might be a little too isolated.


                              • Paula
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                                  On the other side of the room is a wall of windows, so natural light shouldn’t be an issue and I plan on letting them be out in the house when I’m home.


                                • luvmybunny
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                                    Wow! That cage will be a mansion!! Can’t wait to see the finished product! Yeah you will learn how they like things. I put stuff in my cages and Valen and Bella both move it to how they like it! You will learn what they like to play and chew. Binky Bunny store has great things too!


                                  • SophieBun
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                                      Very cool! love it. I wanna get some shelves for Sophie to hop on too that’s a great idea!


                                    • Beka27
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                                        You may want to line your closet walls with a single layer of NIC grids to protect the drywall/baseboards too… I think it looks great. The nice thing is that you can always change things up later on too if you decide you’d rather have them in a different area of the house. I agree that isolation is not a good thing for buns, but as you say, they will have playtime in the area you are in when you’re home.


                                      • Boysclub
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                                          oh that looks awsome! when i am ready for my next buns i know where im going to get ideas for their area when i wont be home for them to stay. looks great now lets see the buns~!!!


                                        • Barbie
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                                            Wow that looks like a great home for your buns. But yes family time/play time is a must, and once you bring them home and fall in love, you’ll have NO problem with that!

                                            The cardboard concrete forms you asked about are just large sturdy cardboard tubes that are actually used in consturction – don’t ask my how, i don’t know, lol. You can find them at home improvement stores and they make great tunnels for the buns. Just make sure you get one with a big enough diameter that they don’t get stuck!

                                            One thing I noticed about your pen and that I don’t think anyone else mentioned… you might want to move the hay near the litter pens. Bunnies like to munch on hay and go potty at the same time, and putting the hay near the litter box (or in it!) encourages good litter habits. Leroy gets as much hay as he wants, but only ever in his litter box (it helps cut down on the mess too), but he gets his dinner elsewhere and he has a couple water bowls around, just in case he gets thirsty.


                                          • missSarah
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                                              We have our buns in a walkin closet as well we just took off the door and added a clear baby gate which we modified a bit. They love it!   

                                              We put down an old area rug (Misbe loves to pull up carpet fibers) cut to fit and got some cheap plastic molding from Home Depot that we used contact strips to attach to the real molding.

                                              We have movable shelving in the top for bunny storage and human stuff storage so we don’t miss out on too much closet space.

                                              It’s pretty win-win.


                                            • jerseygirl
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                                                Thanks for sharing those pics missSarah – I’m thinking about putting older carpet in my rabbits area and really like idea with the plastic molding. Your avatar and siggy pic are really cute!!

                                                Paula, did you pick up the bunnies as planned? These were the 2 flemish boys weren’t they?

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                                            Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Feedback on my Enclosure?