New Cage and Rabbit toys?

[Hyatt101]

So, i need another cage for one of the bunnies in the litter we had that we are keeping. Any ideas? I need something inexpensive, indoors, and perfect for my baby! Does anyone know how much those small cages cost that have the ramp that goes up, and its like the cage has 2 floors?? I always thought that was cute! Also, if anyone knows of any good, rabbit-safe toys that i could give to them, that would be great!!

 

[Ellie]

I saw one of those cages as a "starter" set in Petsmart. I think it was about $95. You can also look it up online and see.

I do suggest making your own NIC cage though. It was a little more expensive than I had wanted, but it was a lot of fun to build. And then you can kinda make it as big or small as you want.

 

[Hyatt101]

Thats a good idea! I'm not much of a builder, but I could try it out!!

 

[Hyatt101]

Any suggestions for good, safe rabbit toys??

 

[ldoerr]

I have built 2 NIC cages in the last week. They are really cheep and easy to build. Here is a link that helps you with building the pan. That is the trickiest part. You can make a really big cage using only 2 packs of cubes. All you need to build a cage is Cubes. zip ties, and coroplast. (A box cutter and wire cutters come in handy as well).

 

[Blue eyes]

NIC cages are easy and inexpensive. The flooring is flexible. One doesn't have to use coroplast. I've seen people use carpet, linoleum, wood with vinyl, tarp, etc for the flooring part.
Here are a couple sites that show a couple ways to build them. It doesn't have to be followed to a "t"

http://breyfamily.net/bunnycage.html

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bLUDLbZYr4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bLUDLbZYr4[/ame]
and they are easy. Once you get the hang, it's also fun to create it different ways.

Willow balls, hard plastic baby toys (like key rings), seagrass mats, paper towel tubes stuffed with hay are all fun things for bunny.

 

[Hyatt101]

Okay, thanks! I will check out those websites!

 

[Hyatt101]

I really liked the design in the first link you posted, but I really don't need it that big... My rabbits are small, so do you think maybe just buying 1 of those cubes would work? Or should I buy two and just use whatever I need? Also how much would all of that cost? And, (sorry about all the questions!) I saw that there were the two levels, but since my buns are so small, they can't hop from level to level so I would need a ramp. Would I just take some other part of the cube that I'm not using and fasten it to the side of the cage to make a ramp? Thanks!!

 

[Alee C.]

I used to have a NIC cage for Honey,I really liked it they're cheap and really big. But it used to be down in a spare room, and when I decided I wanted to put her cage in the living room, I had to get a closed in cage as my nic cage didn't have a cover, because of my mom's 2 cats, if I was living in my own house I know my cat and dog wouldn't touch Honey or hunter, but I just don't trust my moms cats.

Anyway I now have Honey and Hunter in an extra large dog crate, with a second level that i made lots of room in it.

 

[Hyatt101]

Oh okay, thats actually a good idea to use a dog crate!

 

[Alee C.]

Im attaching a pic of my nic cage and one of my dog crate cage.Sorry, the pic of the dog crate is kinda blurry, but is the only one i got.

 

[Hyatt101]

Wow, thats really impressive!! A good idea!

 

[ldoerr]

Here are a couple of pictures of the first NIC cage that I built. 1st picture is with the doors open. Second picture is of the doors closed.

 

[Hyatt101]

Nice! So it really isn't that hard... i think i'm going to build a cage like this: http://breyfamily.net/bunnycage.html
the only thing is, I want it smaller, so should I just take of a row of squares on each wall? Also, how would you recommend doing a roof?

 

[ldoerr]

A roof is easy. If your cage is 3x2 then just zip tie panels that are 3x2. If you can build a side then you can build a roof. If you want to do my design for the doors it is really easy. You make the front and top like any other side. When you go to attach it to the other sides just do not zip tie it on the top row of panels for the front and the front row of panels for the top. You then just use a clip to hold the doors to the other sides. This design makes it easy to clean the cage.

 

[Hyatt101]

Okay thanks! Love your cages by the way! :thumbup

 

[Blue eyes]

You'll actually want to be sure to have a doorway for the buns. I'm afraid idoerrs cage doesn't provide a way for bunny to hop out on his own.

Are you making this for more than 1 rabbit? Here is a 2 x3 cage I made as temporary housing for one of my buns while I was bonding her with another:

I would have liked to have squared off the top but ran out of grids. (The rest of the grids were used in their larger cage once they were bonded. )

 

[Hyatt101]

Very nice design, however, my buns are small and need ramps.... It may be for 2 buns, in which case i will do the full size on the link i showed you all. What could i use to go on top of plywood if litter box trained? Towels? I don't want to use carpet squares, anything else? I guess I would have to make my cage bigger anyway if I want ramps, right? Do I just attach the ramps to the sides of the cage with those plastic clasp thingys you used... blanking on the name...

 

[Hyatt101]

Also, can 2 sisters or 2 brothers be in the same cage together? As long as they're the same gender?

 

[Blue eyes]

Many people use ramps. Personally I think they take up too much space. A box or step halfway up should be enough to let them get to upper levels.

Same gender may get along as babies, but once their hormones kick in (3 1/2 - 6 mos of age) they may start to fight.

Towels can work provided they don't try to ingest pieces -- some rabbits do, some don't. You can also use the woven fabric rugs from walmart. They're usually about a buck or two. Hard to describe but this photo shows one. I've used these on shelves too.