Bluebell Hideaway P@H Advice

[sparkyblue87]

We are thinking of getting the Bluebell Hideaway from P@H for our buns.

Has anyone else had/got this? If so, are they worth it?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Lemonade]

I've got one and love it. I must admit I didn't look around too much though so nothing to compare it too.


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[Goth Mummy]

Oh, I was looking at this as summer accomodation for guinea pigs. Is it weather/water proof and well made?

thanks...

 

[AnnieElms]

I don't have the hutch, but if I was buying from new, I'd go for something like this:

http://www.welfarehutches.co.uk/7ft_Single_Hutch/p1466125_10845499.aspx

Even though the Bluebell one has two stories, I always think the single hutches have better useable space, as there is no ramp taking up space. I would hazard a guess that the Welfare Hutches one is better quality wood as well (I have a hutch from Welfare Hutches, and it is much better made than any I have seen outside my local P@H).

The Welfare Hutch man also sells fantastically good value runs and connection kits as well, so it's pretty easy to get a full setup for a really good price

 

[foxy2279]

Oh, I was looking at this as summer accomodation for guinea pigs. Is it weather/water proof and well made?

thanks...

I use one for my two guinea girls for summer. It's ok a bit more solid then a lot of p@h hutches. The locks are bit flimsy and you have to wiggle them round to get them in place. You would need some sort of cover if it was raining though.

 

[Confused_bun]

I seriously considered one of those BUT i decided against if for the following reasons -
1) the floor is incredibly weak - it is made from two pieces of ply about the same thickness of thin cardboard with a narrow batton round the edge stapled together (so its thin ply, baton, thin ply).
2)the back of the hutch and the roof are also made the same way as the floor - so are also very weak.
3)the supports that hold the floor in place are small and flimsy, so a) im not sure id really trust them and b) im pretty sure you couldnt replace the floors with proper ply as the supports wouldnt take the weight
4) the hole for the ramp is massive, so the top floor of the hutch has hardly any floor space in the "living compartment" - really the upstairs consists of a hole for the ramp, a narrow passage by the mesh door leading to the bedroom.
5) ive heard a lot of people say even painted, the hutch has to have the huch cover or be inside a shed if you want your animals to stay dry inside.
6) the incredibly thin wood its made from makes it harder to keep your pets warm.
7) the bolts need replacing as they are useless

To be honest, if your budget is definately fixed at that kind of level, id be more inclined to get a single storey 6x2x2 from welfare hutches, as although only single storey it probably has nearly as much usable floor space as the bluebell and will last far, far, far longer (there really is no comparison in quality.

If however you think you can stretch your budget id get the 6x2 double from welfare hutches (again there is no comparison in quality to any pets@home hutch). The hole for the ramp is a lot smaller so doesnt take up too much room from the top floor, so you have a properly usable top floor too.

I ended up getting the 6x2 double from welfare hutches.

Oh as a previous poster said - welfare hutches do great runs and connectors to.

 

[Fluffs]

I would advise not to get it:wave:

I had one of these for my single bun and have regretted wasting the money, as I know have less to buy bigger accommodation .

As said before, the wood is incredibly thin, the floor actually fell off within a short time of using it (only a small bun:shock and it was very cold for her. Also, two of the doors completely broke, and the main one had to be banged in every time I closed it. The locks are very flimsy so I had to buy new ones. Even wih protection, it did rot quite quickly and was wrecked within a year of usage.

I would definitely get a welfare hutch, there is more room, especially for litter trays (I could even fit toys in the other one:shock and they last sooooo long. It may be more expensive now, but it won't when you have to buy a bluebell hutch very 6 months!

Hope this helps! x

 

[jemjabella]

Have bought a P@H hutch before (not for rabbit) and agree with PPs that they are very flimsy compared to some of the other hutches available for just a little more.

 

[silverrabbit]

I had a bunny thump and break the bottom floor :roll: use it for g pigs now in a shed. Def wouldn't buy it for bunnies, it's not sturdy enough and pretty sure if outside a fox could get in easily as the wood is so soft and flimsy.

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RABBIT-RESIDENTS-CERTIFIED-Extremely-strong-6-ft-hutch-/390698301975?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item5af76efa17

Not far off the price of Bluebell hutch inc delivery :wave:

 

[EBM]

I had a bunny thump and break the bottom floor :roll: use it for g pigs now in a shed. Def wouldn't buy it for bunnies, it's not sturdy enough and pretty sure if outside a fox could get in easily as the wood is so soft and flimsy.

What about this?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RABBIT-RESIDENTS-CERTIFIED-Extremely-strong-6-ft-hutch-/390698301975?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item5af76efa17

Not far off the price of Bluebell hutch inc delivery :wave:

Joe built my run to order, I can highly recommend him! Uses very good quality thick strong wood!

 

[jasond]

we got one for our mini lop & think it's spot on. Yes, the latches are a little mis-aligned, but they do go in (a bit stiff) - do what evryone on this forum recommends and add some more (we did). No, the floor isn't very thick, but it takes my weight when I reach in to clean, so a rabbit's weight will be no issue. Without seeing any of these welfare hutches others talk about, I can't compare the quality, but I think for the money it's great. Someone mentioned "it's only got a narrow passage" upstairs, but I thought us bunny lovers were all for letting them have as much time outside/in a run as possible? So not an issue if part of the hutch is narrow (it's not that narrow - wide enough for a rabbit to use). We're pleased with it.

 

[jasond]

forgot to add - we lined each floor with lino (begged offcuts from local carpet shop) to help protect the wood.

 

[New bunny mum]

I have one that houses two rabbits and like it, it's sturdier with extra nails in and I also put lino tiles on the floors and carpet also for winter. I have a runabout tunnel attached so they only sleep or eat in there but they seem happy. I put a waterproof and thermal cover on so it is warm and dry and made some little shutters out of tong and groove to block the draughts for winter only. Only thing I wish it had a tray clean floor like others but I can reach in and get all areas easily. They actually sleep in the bottom section which is big enough for them to stretch out.

 

[Mrsmcarey]

I have my Trio in one they loves it also have the Rose Run

i have one of the doors open and the run panel out of the run so they have 24/7 access to it they fit quite nicely together and there is no way the run will move plus its on the grass had to put the open top run side towards the hutch otherwise i couldnt open the top doors but at lease if i forget to lock them bunnies cant open from inside.

mind i have to crawl into the run and sit on the floor to get into the bottom of the hutch :roll: i didnt plan for cleaning day :lol: just bunny access

 

[katie88]

I have two of these and think they're fine. One is 2 and a half years old now and no problems. I have replaced the locks on both as my only issue with them is the locks which barely latch in place. I've linoed the floor of one but not the other. Both stay dry and warm as far as I can tell. I vouch for them myself.

 

[Moomoomartine]

I have one that houses two rabbits and like it, it's sturdier with extra nails in and I also put lino tiles on the floors and carpet also for winter. I have a runabout tunnel attached so they only sleep or eat in there but they seem happy. I put a waterproof and thermal cover on so it is warm and dry and made some little shutters out of tong and groove to block the draughts for winter only. Only thing I wish it had a tray clean floor like others but I can reach in and get all areas easily. They actually sleep in the bottom section which is big enough for them to stretch out.

Hi I really like your quote . You seid you put extra nails and Lino tiles and carpet for winter. And waterproof and thermal cover on and little shutters on out of tong and groove. I would love to do the same as you have done yours but don't know where to start so can you tell me how you did it and i.e what nails you used and where you got the bits and bobs to do it with and put it in step by steps of what you did and how. And some photos would be great too. Thanks ps my email is charlottemartineb21@gmail.com look forward to hearing from you thanks.

 

[Mollie100]

Hi I really like your quote . You seid you put extra nails and Lino tiles and carpet for winter. And waterproof and thermal cover on and little shutters on out of tong and groove. I would love to do the same as you have done yours but don't know where to start so can you tell me how you did it and i.e what nails you used and where you got the bits and bobs to do it with and put it in step by steps of what you did and how. And some photos would be great too. Thanks ps my email is charlottemartineb21@gmail.com look forward to hearing from you thanks.

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