Vegan_Bunny
Warren Veteran
So, my Dad has agreed to build me a run and hutch combo. This is only going to be used during the day in the Summer since my buns are indoors. I want my hutch to be 6x3x3ft (I may reduce that to 6x2x2ft depending on how easy it will be to maneuver) and ideally I wanted my run at about 8x4ft. My current run is 6x6ft and I don't really fee like it's big enough for them to really enjoy themselves. Having said that, they get to free range in the garden when I can keep an eye on them.
I have a few questions for anybody who has built a run and hutch before. Mainly the type of wood that is used. I was going to use the tongue-in-groove style wooden boards that sheds are usually made from, rather than a single board. I think this would be stronger and cheaper than using a single board. The wood is rough and untreated, I was going to paint it with one of the cuprinol garden shades. I was going to have the "excersise" area (as people call it) at 4ft with mesh along the front and then 2ft as a little "hidey hole". How does this sound? I have three rabbits and I just want to make sure that they can all fit in the hutch if (god forbid) a dog or fox got into the garden and that they'd feel safe. Do you think an apex roof would be better than a sloping roof? I think it would be easier to have it sloping to the back, but not 100% sure on this.
I want to install a cat flap or something similar. My Dad wants to make an opening himself, but I think a cat flap would be easier and safer for the buns. I'm just not sure where to put it on the hutch. I don't want it on the hidey hole because then they won't feel 100% safe in there, perhaps I will have to make it so that there is only some of the main part of the hutch meshed? I'm not sure yet. :?
How do people attach their runs to the hutches? I was thinking of having one end of the run open and just hook it on with latches or something. I was to make sure that it really is secure. Do you think it would be ok with the little hook and eyes? It would mean that a predator would not be able to get in..I don't think. Anybody got pics of their run/hutch attachments? Also would you double mesh the run?
Sorry for all the rambling and questions. I would really appreciate some advice. :thumb:
I have a few questions for anybody who has built a run and hutch before. Mainly the type of wood that is used. I was going to use the tongue-in-groove style wooden boards that sheds are usually made from, rather than a single board. I think this would be stronger and cheaper than using a single board. The wood is rough and untreated, I was going to paint it with one of the cuprinol garden shades. I was going to have the "excersise" area (as people call it) at 4ft with mesh along the front and then 2ft as a little "hidey hole". How does this sound? I have three rabbits and I just want to make sure that they can all fit in the hutch if (god forbid) a dog or fox got into the garden and that they'd feel safe. Do you think an apex roof would be better than a sloping roof? I think it would be easier to have it sloping to the back, but not 100% sure on this.
I want to install a cat flap or something similar. My Dad wants to make an opening himself, but I think a cat flap would be easier and safer for the buns. I'm just not sure where to put it on the hutch. I don't want it on the hidey hole because then they won't feel 100% safe in there, perhaps I will have to make it so that there is only some of the main part of the hutch meshed? I'm not sure yet. :?
How do people attach their runs to the hutches? I was thinking of having one end of the run open and just hook it on with latches or something. I was to make sure that it really is secure. Do you think it would be ok with the little hook and eyes? It would mean that a predator would not be able to get in..I don't think. Anybody got pics of their run/hutch attachments? Also would you double mesh the run?
Sorry for all the rambling and questions. I would really appreciate some advice. :thumb:
