Wire for the cage floor?

[Cluckin'Bunny]

Hi,

I am building my own "hutch" and I was wondering what the floor should be made out of? I saw a lot of hutches online that had wire floors where the rabbit would be standing. (There is a tray that pulls out under neath the floor for easy cleaning....? But the rabbit I'm probably getting is litter box trained.
I'm not sure..... wouldn't that be uncomfortable for the rabbits feet?
Thanks!
- Cluckin'Bunny

 

[Hermelin]

In my country wired floor is forbidden to have in bunny cages and need to be solid floor. I use wood floor but did the mistake of not getting wood that can handle water, even though the whole floor it’s covered with a water resistance paper type.

The other outdoor bunny have a litter box in his hutch but he have a tray with a blanket on which I can pull out. His floor it’s made of a plastic tray. He’s litter trained and always go on the litter box or in the run. But his cage it’s tiny.

So I wouldn’t recommend a wired floor. Even with solid floor one of my bunnies manage to get sore paws.

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

So what kind of floor should I have? Thanks.

 

[Brie Prsnk]

So what kind of floor should I have? Thanks.

I use fleece but biscuit isnt a chewer so it isnt a problem for me. You could use wood and put a waterproof mat over it.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

i would use wood as a base flooring but then you could use hay of straw as a base. Maybe a think fleece?

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

Would wood shavings work?

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

I think aspen shavings is good but not pine or cedar

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

I think aspen shavings is good but not pine or cedar

Why not? Also, just to let you know the wire that I would be using is this. I still don't think so though....

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

Half an inch squares, with a rubber coating.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

And a lot

Why not? Also, just to let you know the wire that I would be using is this. I still don't think so though....

I think it’s because of the dust content as rabbits have quite delicate respiratory systems. That wire could maybe work with a small rabbit as long as you have a hard resting spot for it. Like a plank of wood on one end in case it gets tired of the wire. I have a mini Rex (a breed generally prone to sore hocks) and I don’t think he’d be good on wire. A Netherland might be okay but I’ve never put a bunny on wire flooring! But i know many bunny owners who have and have had no problems!

Just wondering have you seen any bunnies you like? Maybe at a shelter or breeder? That way you could maybe make it to your bunnies needs?

Also, I love your chickens! I had chickens growing up! I was a little scared of them but I really like chickens now

 

[Brie Prsnk]

Would wood shavings work?

If your planning on litter training you should use something other than shavings cause it can confuse the rabbit. If you use shavings in the main area and wood pellets in the litter box then it think it would work.

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

And a lot


I think it’s because of the dust content as rabbits have quite delicate respiratory systems. That wire could maybe work with a small rabbit as long as you have a hard resting spot for it. Like a plank of wood on one end in case it gets tired of the wire. I have a mini Rex (a breed generally prone to sore hocks) and I don’t think he’d be good on wire. A Netherland might be okay but I’ve never put a bunny on wire flooring! But i know many bunny owners who have and have had no problems!

Just wondering have you seen any bunnies you like? Maybe at a shelter or breeder? That way you could maybe make it to your bunnies needs?

Also, I love your chickens! I had chickens growing up! I was a little scared of them but I really like chickens now

Thanks! I'm glad you like my chickens. Yes, I was going to adopt a rabbit named Bun Bun but someone got him before I could. The shelter has a new bunny that I am going to go look at, so hopefully she will be a good fit.

 

[Apollo’s Slave]

Thanks! I'm glad you like my chickens. Yes, I was going to adopt a rabbit named Bun Bun but someone got him before I could. The shelter has a new bunny that I am going to go look at, so hopefully she will be a good fit.

They might only allow you to get her with another rabbit. I’ve only had single rabbits just because I can’t afford two. But all my rabbits were a little special as to why their was only one.
My first rabbit who passed away a few months ago was cage aggressive but he ended up being really nice! It took five months and a heck load of bites but we ended up being best friends. Then I adopted a rabbit who had been given up but he died the next day . So we just guessed he was sick, the vet didn’t really have an idea. And now my rabbit, Apollo is a single bunny because he couldn’t bond, but he’s really sweet too. So the ‘bad’ bunnies aren’t bad they just need a little love! It would be best to get two bunnies but if you only really want one, you may end up getting one with ‘problems’. I don’t want to scare you! All rabbits are absolutely great and this is my experience. That shelter may allow single rabbits to go!

 

[Preitler]

Wire floors are not as bad as their reputation, I think they got that from the discussion about mass chicken farming in cages, wire cage became a synonym for animal cruelty. Took me some time to realize that wire is actually better than solid wood floor (there are excemptions, like Rex or very large rabbits), I think the most used is 1/2"x1", with pretty thick wire. But over here it gets people with no clue screaming *sigh*. I settled for a slatted floor, about 1 1/2" boards with 1/2" gap. I can take out the slatted panels for cleaning, and at the new hutch there will be a lot of space underneath for the bins, I made the mistake of leaving not enough vertical space for the trays in the last hutch I made, not so easy to clean when twigs get stuck in the floor and block the tray.
The picture is from the old hutch, the new one has some improvements.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I use a concrete floor with puzzle mats because Theo doesn't chew them. Some rabbits will chew them so they would not be an option.

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

Thanks!

 

[Blue eyes]

So does that mean you've decided against indoor housing?
If so, there is a thread showing appropriate outdoor housing ideas.

 

[Cluckin'Bunny]

I'm not sure.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

My rabbit is outdoors because my parents are against indoor animals. If you have any questions about outdoor housing let me know! I personally think that rabbits are indoor/outdoor animals. I think that all rabbits should have the freedom to breathe fresh air and eat soft grass. Outdoor rabbits will sometimes be neglected but if you really love the rabbit I don't think that you will neglect it.

 

[helena]

Someone mentioned wood shavings.....The reason animals shouldn't have pine or cedar shavings is because it emits chemicals when the animal urinates on it. It really is awful. I used to have hamsters and i found out then and due to research.