Some rabbit accommodation questions! :D

Clairealex · 04-15-2014, 01:49 PM

Hey everyone

I have a few questions for those of you who are owned by bunnies!

After asking a few months back about house rabbits, I've been researching more and more. I've decided that I'll adopt a bonded pair, which there are loads of in my local sspca, and sadly there always are, and the ultimate aim will be to have them as house rabbits with free reign.

I've been reading into housing for rabbits a lot, and am taken by the idea of using dog crates/dog pens as their housing area. I was thinking a dog crate (140 x 75 x 82) with a puppy pen around the crate used as run space for when I'm not in. This would be used when training them and letting them settle in to the house, then eventually the door on the crate would be left open and they'd have full run of the spare room when I'm not in, and when I am in they'd have full run of the house.

Do any of you guys use anything like this? Is this still a bit too small for a pair?

Thanks in advance!

ETA: I'll be looking to adopt round about September/October time. This seems to be one of the points when the Easter gift for the kids has worn off and the poor rabbits are set free/handed in to shelters

RedSky · 04-16-2014, 03:02 AM

I'm guessing the measurements are cm??
I think the crate would be okay if used with a pen, but why not just use a pen? You will obviously need a litter tray or two and somewhere with food/water so you could use the pen as their bed/hay supply/food bowl area since it should be big enough and have a litter pan outside it for easy toilet access.
I don't personally think the crate would be big enough to lock them in.

Clairealex · 04-16-2014, 08:49 AM

Thanks redsky!

I did consider just the pen, as it will be a very large space, but thought the crate would be nice space to maybe drape a blanket over the back of and give them a nice darkened area to relax in when first settling.

The door to the crate would never be closed, they'll always have access to the pen area.

Although, maybe connecting two puppy runs and leaving out the crate altogether would work better? They'll have boxes/houses to disappear into when they want some quiet time, so they'd probably appreciate the extra space more.

RedSky · 04-17-2014, 05:32 AM

I would think that having a few houses/boxes that they can both fit in together would be better than just one big crate, but I'm not 100% certain on that... Hopefully some bunny people will be along shortly to help you out.
As for space, I would start off with the minimum (say 6ft by 3ft) and slowly extend out. I suggest this to help with toilet training. If you give them a massive space to begin with you might struggle to encourage them to do their business in the right place.

JBH316 · 04-17-2014, 11:15 AM

I used extra large dog crates for my 2 pairs (can't remember the dimensions) and I would do so again with any future rabbits. I do like the idea of a playpen attached if you have the space to do so.

Artsy Hammy · 04-17-2014, 11:41 AM

Another idea of for rabbit cages are to get the metal grids (available at target, but make sure they have the smaller squares so that their heads won't get stuck) and put them together using zip ties. These are fun to make as you can customize them however you want. I have 4 rabbits, two of which are a bonded pair. For their cage, we have a 5 grid by 2 grid pen (and two grids high), and also have two levels. We attached wood pieces to the grids with zip ties and then rested a wood square on top of them. This isn't necessary, but just gives them some extra space.

If you look up "rabbit cage metal grid ideas" on Google Images, you will see some examples of what I am talking about.

These cages are also much less expensive than dog crates, and you can always add on if you feel the need to.

All of my rabbits love them, and they are definitely spacious enough for a bonded pair (I would recommend at least 2 grid by 4 grid, preferably bigger).

If you would like information on how to make these cages, I recommend looking up "101rabbits" on Youtube. She has great tips on rabbit care and cage ideas.

Anyways, hope this helped! Enjoy your new bonded pair!

EmilyS_79 · 04-17-2014, 12:21 PM

I have my bunnies in bunny condos, x-pens, and c and c cages when I am gone and when I am home they get free roam of the whole room. Only for travel I put them in their doggy crates. If you have questions please let me know, I used to breed and show rabbits. I know A LOT about rabbits.

Esmy · 04-17-2014, 01:09 PM

The recommendations look familiar- you mean cages from this site? I made a 2 story, 6ft cage for my Guinea pigs using these materials.

Cubes and Coroplast Cages for Guinea Pigs

Clairealex · 04-18-2014, 03:28 PM

Thanks for all the advice

The c+c cages look great - I did come across them whilst looking. The reason dog crates took me was because id eventually like to have it as just a base where their food and water is kept, and they can have full run of the house. But that might take a while, so maybe a c+c cage that I can make to fit the space exactly would be a good idea!

There's such limited real accommodation choices out their for rabbits. I've really been shocked at what is offered for them. Still, after seeing standard hammy cages, I don't know why I'm surprised

Also thanks Emily! I will definitely keep that in mind when the time to bring then home comes closer