OK so I intend this post to be like a blog of our journey to get Arthur a companion.
Story so far...
Two weeks ago Arthur was neutered so another two weeks to go before he can be bonded.
01/03/08 - Took a good hard look at Arthur's hutch. Its 5ftx2ftx2ft ok a bit small but I always thought it to be sturdy. However, after having a really good look I pulled the roof off and was shocked how thin the sides really were. Took a trip to Wickes and brought some Weathered pannelling and set to work panelling the back of the hutch. With this extra layer it should be warmer in winter and cooler in Summer. I painted each piece first on both sides and let them dry before attaching to the hutch. Pleased with the result although I forgot to buy a saw and now have a 1ft overlap at one end.
06/03/08 decided I could no longer keep kidding myself that Arthur is 100% safe all day in the open topped Zooplus run I brought for him. So I ordered a bargain basement 5ftx2ftx5ft run from Happy Hutch. Bored at work I want to be home working on the hutch.
08/03/08 Bit annoyed that the run I've ordered still hasn't turned up but company assure me it will be here Monday now. Went to the Rabbit Residence with my partner and my little boy. Was a bit shocked at how small and open the place was. Met Caroline the owner who is a very lively woman. She showed us the 3 single female buns she had, although she was unsure of ages. We fell in love with one called 'Spice' who's age seems to be around the 2/3 years old mark. Not counting on her though as the other bun we'd reserved had been bonded. I feel a bit disillusioned with the whole rescue process at the moment. There seems to be no organisation and I feel like my heart will be broken if I get too attached to one bun and find its been rehomed. Although I hate to admit it I can see why people get put off Rescues and go elsewhere. I handed all my forms in a few weeks ago but Caroline had forgotten all the information I'd provided and I felt a bit down when we left.
09/03/08 At last a sunny afternoon to finish the hutch off. Brought more cladding and reinforced the sides of the hutch again treating them first and nailing them in place. Arthur wasn't very happy that he couldn't get to his hutch while the treatment dried. The hutch looks good and feels stronger, plus the roof no longer comes off so easily which is a good thing in this windy weather. I have started to bunny proof the garden this envolves digging 12" trenches along the fence and burying galvenised wire attaching it to the bottom of the fence. Then using a mixture of soil and stones compacting the ground down again. Luckily our garden only has about 12" of top soil and then you hit hardcore from the old building that was here before.
10/03/08 The run arrived woohoo! Not bad for £39.95 but I would have been disappointed if I'd paid the full price and not the bargain basement price, it needs some reinforcing. Have decided to block the back and sides of the hutch in which will give the run another 2ft so the over all size will be 8ftx5ftx2ft not bad seeing as this is only for the times we go out and there is no one to supervise. Went back to Wickes for some strong metal brackets to attach the run sides together and then attaching to the hutch. Now I am using the hutch as well I have a spare panel so need to find a use for that.
Jobs to do:
-Paint the run the same colour as the hutch.
-Attach the run to the hutch.
-Attach the fox proof wire to the back and sides of the hutch.
-Somehow create a door in the run or using one of the sides of the hutch so the buns can have access to the whole garden.
Story so far...
Two weeks ago Arthur was neutered so another two weeks to go before he can be bonded.
01/03/08 - Took a good hard look at Arthur's hutch. Its 5ftx2ftx2ft ok a bit small but I always thought it to be sturdy. However, after having a really good look I pulled the roof off and was shocked how thin the sides really were. Took a trip to Wickes and brought some Weathered pannelling and set to work panelling the back of the hutch. With this extra layer it should be warmer in winter and cooler in Summer. I painted each piece first on both sides and let them dry before attaching to the hutch. Pleased with the result although I forgot to buy a saw and now have a 1ft overlap at one end.
06/03/08 decided I could no longer keep kidding myself that Arthur is 100% safe all day in the open topped Zooplus run I brought for him. So I ordered a bargain basement 5ftx2ftx5ft run from Happy Hutch. Bored at work I want to be home working on the hutch.
08/03/08 Bit annoyed that the run I've ordered still hasn't turned up but company assure me it will be here Monday now. Went to the Rabbit Residence with my partner and my little boy. Was a bit shocked at how small and open the place was. Met Caroline the owner who is a very lively woman. She showed us the 3 single female buns she had, although she was unsure of ages. We fell in love with one called 'Spice' who's age seems to be around the 2/3 years old mark. Not counting on her though as the other bun we'd reserved had been bonded. I feel a bit disillusioned with the whole rescue process at the moment. There seems to be no organisation and I feel like my heart will be broken if I get too attached to one bun and find its been rehomed. Although I hate to admit it I can see why people get put off Rescues and go elsewhere. I handed all my forms in a few weeks ago but Caroline had forgotten all the information I'd provided and I felt a bit down when we left.
09/03/08 At last a sunny afternoon to finish the hutch off. Brought more cladding and reinforced the sides of the hutch again treating them first and nailing them in place. Arthur wasn't very happy that he couldn't get to his hutch while the treatment dried. The hutch looks good and feels stronger, plus the roof no longer comes off so easily which is a good thing in this windy weather. I have started to bunny proof the garden this envolves digging 12" trenches along the fence and burying galvenised wire attaching it to the bottom of the fence. Then using a mixture of soil and stones compacting the ground down again. Luckily our garden only has about 12" of top soil and then you hit hardcore from the old building that was here before.
10/03/08 The run arrived woohoo! Not bad for £39.95 but I would have been disappointed if I'd paid the full price and not the bargain basement price, it needs some reinforcing. Have decided to block the back and sides of the hutch in which will give the run another 2ft so the over all size will be 8ftx5ftx2ft not bad seeing as this is only for the times we go out and there is no one to supervise. Went back to Wickes for some strong metal brackets to attach the run sides together and then attaching to the hutch. Now I am using the hutch as well I have a spare panel so need to find a use for that.
Jobs to do:
-Paint the run the same colour as the hutch.
-Attach the run to the hutch.
-Attach the fox proof wire to the back and sides of the hutch.
-Somehow create a door in the run or using one of the sides of the hutch so the buns can have access to the whole garden.