Housing feedback please...

[mollymom]

So, we are still new to bunnyhood, but we are learning as we go. I read a lot more than I post and thank you all for the wonderful resources here. I'm hoping some of you will give me some feedback to our plan for housing our Holland Lop.

Currently, she has a wooden hutch in our garage. The plan was that she would be outside, but we are too worried about coyotes so the hutch is now in the garage. We have a 12 panel superyard that she plays in outdoors when we can be in there with her and at night she runs around the garage (there are no motor oils and such and we don't put our car in there) for 30-40 minutes. We also have 2 golden retrievers whom she hasn't really met outside of her hutch. They have been in there when the hutch is locked up and sniff and wag but that's about it. We've brought her in through the house and they don't seem to care much. I don't think they would intentionally hurt her but given the size difference we are not going to take any chances.

I've been reading about the NIC cages and I'm wondering what you all think about making a cage 4 squares wide, by 2 tall and 2 deep and keeping that as her main living area in the garage? I'd like to move the hutch outside so she can have more fresh air while I do yard or housework during the day. I'd also like to have a smaller cage to bring her to the upstairs bedroom (dogs aren't allowed upstairs) to let her have more time with us too.

Would 3 different spots be too much? We are also trying to litter train her, so would that confuse her more? I've read all about securing the NIC cages and reinforcing them with dowels, but has anyone's bunny chewed through the cable ties and escaped? We will definitely have a top, but I'm so nervous about doing the right thing it feels like we have a new baby in the house!

 

[Pharfly]

I have never had a bunny chew through zip ties (knock on wood lol)

I found if you over lap the panels, by 2-3 squares it makes a very sturdy cage, I have a large dog (Lab pyranese cross) and she leans on the cage too sniff. Plus the kids lean on it too pet them. I have a puppy play pen that I set up outside too so they get some fresh air. I have no idea if 3 living spaces will confuse her. I would use the same litter box and move it to the different cages with her. Make sure too put it in the same corner, they tend too pick a potty corner which helps with litter training them. You put the box where they go and after they get the hang of it and know they have too use the box you can move it. My NIC cage is a 3x3 square and is 2 high with a shelf. I hope too bond 2 in that cage, and when I get my 3rd bunny next month I will try too make it a bit bigger.

 

[mollymom]

Thanks Pharfly for you help. I hope she takes to litter training, right now she seems to have chosen the front left corner, but in the hutch that is where the door is! It definitely helps having the litter box there and we just move it when she's coming out. I think she'll be much happier in the bigger cage (I know I would be)!