Good Hutch?

[Imbrium]

ah, yeah, toxic plants are no good!

well, the side yard you described in the other thread sounded like a pretty good size for 'em

 

[FallenRabbit]

Ya it is, but right now it is hot. Many people around me foster and care for rabbits. I have been asking them questions and they have been saying they give their rabbit full buckets of ice during these hot days. HA.

 

[FallenRabbit]

Sorry for the double post but in this topic:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=14535&forum_id=93&page=1

Do you know what types of wood were used? Is it just 2 by 4s and plywood? Does anyone know?
I know the one type of wood that is in the photo talking about ventalation is in wooden shed but I don't know the name!
-Thanks for your help!

 

[bethepoet]

Yeah, our bunnies are indoor but on hot days we give them frozen water bottles. They lick it and lie on them, very cute. As for the wood, I couldn't tell you what that particular hutch is made from, but any untreated wood would be fine. Is there no chance they can be indoors? Indoor homes are so much easier to set up, and then you'd only have to bunny-proof the back yard.

 

[FallenRabbit]

They have to be outdoors "forver" but I have a feeling if they are litter trained and don't make a mess or anything she will let them inside.

 

[bethepoet]

Oh right, good luck with that, haha. Have you made any kind of decision on how you're going to house them yet, then?

 

[FallenRabbit]

Ya, I need that luck ha. I was at first thinking like a big run that would be directly on the ground (of course it would have like a place for him to hide in - hutch.) but my mom said it will bring bugs and all sorts of animals. So then I thought a shed but I don't really know how to build a shed enless someone on here has instructions. And now I am thinking a Long hutch with legs. My friends dad builds these every week so I could ask them if I have questions.
I would like a shed or a hutch with legs and then have a run underneath. Then I would buy like a harness to take them in the yard with.

 

[Imbrium]

a raised hutch would be good, since it would provide all the benefits of a hutch without cutting into the "floor" space of the run

 

[bethepoet]

Yeah, that sounds good. You could also buy/build something like the very first hutch you were asking about, and just put a large x-pen around it? X-pens are pretty cheap and they fold away when it's bedtime, too.

 

[FallenRabbit]

Okay, that is probably what I will do enless I get more ideas.
I would be a little worried about an xpen just because the rabbit could try to knock it down (or another animal). Maybe I could build a run out of wood and wire and make that leading to the hutch.

Maybe like this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JAZlliUWg...AOc/i9_NEDhYewE/s1600/Big+rabbit+hutches2.jpg

Or:

http://image.tradevv.com/2008/08/27/sarahpethouse_122316_600/ddrh-810l-rabbit-hutch.jpg

 

[bethepoet]

Oh right. Obviously the bigger the better

 

[FallenRabbit]

Yep. The problem with my side yard is that it is not really good soil.. So I wouldn't want the run on the ground so I'd have to make it raised up. Also it is a little harder to get around to that spot because there is a grill in the way.. But there is a window in my room that looks out to there so when I'm home I could keep watch. When it is supposed to be hot I will probably put a fan near the hutch so if he wants to get some air he could. I could also put him in a dog kennel when I leave for school with a fan.
So I could have a bigger habitat but have it harder to get to. Or I could have it closer to my door but have a smaller cage.

 

[Imbrium]

the first set-up looks good - very roomy. if it's hot in the summers where you live, you probably want to have screened windows in the hutch portion that can be opened or closed as needed to provide good air flow/cooling in the summers and protection from winds in the winter

 

[FallenRabbit]

That's what I like about it to. How big do you think I should make the hutch? Maybe like 2 feet by 3 feet? then have a Run?

 

[FallenRabbit]

So now I'm looking into making a shed out of pallets. My dad has like 400 of them at his work that are just sitting there.. So lonely... ha

Here are a couple videos:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5nB2jZ6TM&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ5nB2jZ6TM&feature=related[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQSqq9PYthU&feature=related]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQSqq9PYthU&feature=related[/ame]



So if the pallets are treated or something would putting plywood on top of them and painting it be harmful still? If I was to do this I would also put wire along the sides so the rabbit or any animal doesn't try to get in/out. What do you guys think? I don't plan to make it big. Just like as big as a hutch so maybe like 4 feet by 4 feet then have a run. Open to ideas though.

 

[bethepoet]

When I was researching about how to make a second layer in my crates, I thought I read that plywood wasn't safe, but a quick Google search tells me I'm wrong and it's fine. I'd be wary of the paint, though. I suppose you might be able to find a safe one. About the wire, that's a good idea - like some chicken wire or something? What would you use for flooring?

 

[FallenRabbit]

I have a picture I quickly drew if anyone wants to see it for a visual...
Anyways the wire could be chicken wire, but I heard another type of wire was better but I don't remember the name..
For the floor I would be those stick on tiles and layer the ground with that. How big should I make the shed.
Maybe like 5 feet by3 1/2feet and have it 6 feet tall or something. Then I could have like a run?

Does anyone know how much a shed like that would cost?