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Animal Stop.....In Our Opinion Building a Rabbit Hutch: We have received numerous e-mails over the past 3 years enquiring about 'kits' for small animal pens. While there are not that many specific kits I prefer to build my own pen. Nine years ago I built a condominium for a mini-lop eared rabbit my children had gotten a few years earlier. Of course, it was the standard situation as with any child; "We promise we will always take care of it.", and of course they moved onto the next fascination in their life. Ruth had actually ending up bonding with the rabbit (Fluffy) and had 'housebroken' it. Fluffy remained at her heels for three years until Ruth began having breathing problems similar to asthma, we eventually discovered that Fluffy was the problem and since he had to move outside he was to have something "palatial". Summers here in North Texas run anywhere from May/June through September/October with temperatures ranging from the 90's and 100's. Winter runs January through February, sometimes, with the temperatures ranging from 70's to below zero Fahrenheit. So this was all taken into account when designing the 'condo'; plenty of cooling and wind and some way to block the biting North wind when the temperatures dipped. Finally we decided on 12 foot pressure treated 4" by 4" set on four foot centers with 4 foot by 8 foot pressure treated lattice screen sheets. The condo was four feet wide, eight feet long and ten feet tall. The door was four feet wide and eight feet tall set on one end. I set the 12 foot four by fours two feet into the ground and packed sand all around (we have black clay soil and have found out the HARD way that using concrete will just cause problems as the clay shifts from becoming wet and then drying out). Then I attached chicken wire between each post and made sure that it was at least 4 inches deep into the soil. Then attached a lattice screen panel over the chicken wire. For the top I set corrugated fiberglass across the top and then a lattice screen panel over that. The door was built with pressure treated 1 by 2's and 2 by 4's with chicken wire and then lattice screen panel over that and 3 hinges holding it up. In the interior I built frames with 1 by 2's and 2 by 4's , three levels with ramps. Between the frames I used 1" by 1/2" hardware cloth (galvanized before welding) this provided support, didn't irritate the animals feet and allowed all feces and urine to drop to the bottom of the cage. The ramps never exceeded a 45 degree angle and nowhere in the condo was there any sharp exposed wire that could snag Fluffy. We installed a water bottle system and various dishes that we made from digging depressions into 2 by 4's. The little houses that we made on the different levels turned out to be a mistake since Fluffy would poop and urinate in there and lay in it. We ended up removing them and using 5 gallon plastic buckets on their side. We planted 'honeysuckle' all around the condo and watered it heavily and it quickly covered the sides providing shade, wind protection and snacks for Fluffy. Many different ideas for improvements came to me over time some I implemented others I didn't. The idea of concreting the floor was good but I never got around to it, though there was the constant weekly chore of cleaning the cage, but rabbits like to dig so I left the dirt floor with its many 'craters'. I don't believe there was or is any type of kit that would have allowed me the options to build what I did. You have to be sure there is plenty of shade for the animal, a soft or at least pliable area that the animal can paw around and then lie down on to relax. There must be plenty of FRESH water and food, there needs to be an area where the animal can urinate and defecate and then not lie in it. I don't know but I try to imagine if I were to have to stay in a cage/pen what would I want? Don't forget your animal/pet, my daughters finally realize that by accepting the animal into your home you have permanently accepted total responsibility for their life and comfort don't forget that. An animal needs to be able run and have something to keep them from getting bored, as well as shade and shelter. The height of the condo was to put Fluffy up where he could catch breezes as well as be able to run and get exercise. Fluffy was with us for many, many years. We really believe that
all of the room that he had gave him the best quality and longest life
possible.
This article is copyrighted-all rights reserved-cannot be reproduced in part or whole without express written permission. TG Ryan This page was last updated Thursday, July 05, 2007
Don't forget toys for your birds at: Just Plain Toys or look for additional perches at: Natural Branch Perches (remember birds get minerals from the wood they chew up) Build your own toys? Check out - Raw Materials. This page was last updated Thursday July 05, 2007
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