Baby guard

[KittyKatMe]

So... I had an accidental litter. There are 8 in total, and they are 2 weeks old tomorrow. Momma's x-pen is great, but the babies could defenitly fit through the gaps in the bars. How do I 'baby-proof' it? Also, are there any special toys or enrichment items that are good for babies? I have willow mats, a cardboard box mansion, wicker balls, toilet paper tubes, and other chewable and throw around toys. Is there anything I should remove or add? It is 6'x'6 pen, so they have plenty of room to grow up. Another question: what is the best way to add a second story? I have wanted to do this for a while, but haven't really gotten the right info on how to do it. I was thinking of doing it for a corner of the pen, with a ramp leading up to it.

 

[Imbrium]

hmm... maybe line the pen with coroplast or hardware cloth (mesh stuff)?

for a second story, maybe you could build a little NIC condo (once the babies are grown, like 11-12 weeks). I've got a condo on one corner of my x-pen set-up and they LOVE the view from the highest level.

 

[Blue eyes]

I used this mesh on my x-pen:

I had to use it to keep 2 buns from getting at each other. It's a thick plastic and came in a roll. It's 4' tall, but I cut it in half lengthwise. (from lowes)

 

[KittyKatMe]

I'm not sure that the space is small enough, as they could easily fit through or get their head stuck in that meshing. Also, weren't the panels changed for building a condo? I would prefer it to be open anyways...

 

[Imbrium]

only the target panels changed, other brands are still perfectly safe as long as the rabbits aren't really tiny (at 9 weeks, my lionhead got her head stuck but by 11-12 weeks she was too big to get her head through the grid)

as far as an open space for a second level goes, I wouldn't know how to build something like that

 

[Blue eyes]

KittyKatMe wrote:

I'm not sure that the space is small enough, as they could easily fit through or get their head stuck in that meshing. Also, weren't the panels changed for building a condo? I would prefer it to be open anyways...

Don"t know if you are referring to the mesh I have in the photo. The openings are only one half inch. Just a pencil will fit through. No way a bunny head will.

 

[KittyKatMe]

OK! Will try that.

 

[ldoerr]

You could also try cardboard but that might be a pain to do. I have always used the mesh on my baby cages. That or some thing solid whether it be metal, plastic or cardboard. Basically anything will work. It only needs to go up 2-3 inches.