My free range rabbits have a feeding area, a 4 foot square plywood base covered in a washable rug with a few inches of wood running round, where I put their litter trays covered in hay. It used to work well to contain hay and poo…but new bunny pulls hay out of this area all over the place which in turn means poo everywhere. They have the whole house and outdoors too, I would just like to create an indoor space that contains the hay and poo as it feels like I’m living in a hutch! I was thinking of using a dog crate or pen perhaps with a base and taking the door off. Any suggestions of a safe sturdy pen? it doesn’t need to be huge as it’s just a feeding area. I don’t want to use a hay rack it looks uncomfortable for their necks, just an area to put two litter trays like 4 foot square. Thank you.
Using a dog pen as a Feeding station
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You could just try a large cardboard box with one side cut out and see how that works. The top can also be left open or closed to suit.
Some people use large underbed storage boxes for similar purposes. Remove the lid and cut an access point on one side (with no sharp edges). Or a plastic potting tray like this:
www.sam-turner.co.uk
Baby baths could be an alternative as a higher sided litter tray. Readily available second hand, as they don't get much use for their original purpose.
I've used 4' dog crates as bases for rabbits before. Larger crates can be adapted by adding a shelf across the back using wood battens across / through the bars for support and a sheet of eg ply for the 'upper' floor. The bars are useful for hanging other things off, such as wire baskets for hayracks. Ikea often have suitable items (in the kitchen accessories area), or garden centres (hanging baskets, wall trough hay racks, etc). Just make sure the rabbits can't sit inside them as they could trap a leg through the bars when the hay level goes down - so add a lid (wood cut to fit & a wire 'hinge'), or mount it so they can't physically get in it (like a hanging basket pulled up to the bars / on its side.
The disadvantage of using a wire dog crate is that it doesn't contain hay that well, but you can add strips along the bottom edges to help with this (perspex, wood, or just card woven between the bars) to act like skirting boards.
Some people use large underbed storage boxes for similar purposes. Remove the lid and cut an access point on one side (with no sharp edges). Or a plastic potting tray like this:
Stewart Potting Tray
Features: Potting Tray - 54.5cm x 54cm x 16.5cm x 10cm Provides additional storage for seeds and tools Recyclable Long-lasting Black
www.sam-turner.co.uk
Baby baths could be an alternative as a higher sided litter tray. Readily available second hand, as they don't get much use for their original purpose.
I've used 4' dog crates as bases for rabbits before. Larger crates can be adapted by adding a shelf across the back using wood battens across / through the bars for support and a sheet of eg ply for the 'upper' floor. The bars are useful for hanging other things off, such as wire baskets for hayracks. Ikea often have suitable items (in the kitchen accessories area), or garden centres (hanging baskets, wall trough hay racks, etc). Just make sure the rabbits can't sit inside them as they could trap a leg through the bars when the hay level goes down - so add a lid (wood cut to fit & a wire 'hinge'), or mount it so they can't physically get in it (like a hanging basket pulled up to the bars / on its side.
The disadvantage of using a wire dog crate is that it doesn't contain hay that well, but you can add strips along the bottom edges to help with this (perspex, wood, or just card woven between the bars) to act like skirting boards.
Thank-you Shimmer. You're right, I also think the wire grate will still let all the hay (and sawdust) out - but a strip of wood like you say, skirting the bottom would work.
A large box would be the easiest and cheapest option, but mine would shift that in no time!
I'm back as Feral btw - I posted using my phone which used an older account/email.
A large box would be the easiest and cheapest option, but mine would shift that in no time!
I'm back as Feral btw - I posted using my phone which used an older account/email.
Have you tried just not using sawdust? Sheets of newspaper to line litter trays and deep hay on top can work. I use hemp litter, but that will probably be just as messy if you have diggers and it's indoors. Unscented paper based cat litter works quite well as a different substrate (eg Biocatolet).
Cuthbert&Dillon
Warren Veteran
I use newspaper but as I struggle to get it I fold each sheet into 4 and put it in the trays. This means I can take out the soggy ones and leave the dry ones. - Perhaps a bit mean but I use less newspaper and can do it daily.
It's worth asking around for newspaper supplies. Local libraries may be grateful to dispose of old ones in your direction, for instance. Mine will let me have the previous month's papers. Anyone who regularly catches buses / trains can pick up the Metro. Neighbours may be willing to save theirs for you instead of putting the in the recycling bin.
I supply bags for my regular newspaper suppliers and just swap a full one for an empty one, or pack them into my rucksac and leave the original bag with them. I keep being given unwanted Bags For Life by someone else, so they get used for newspaper collections. I marker pen my name and phone number inside so it's easy to find, and hope for a text when they need collecting. The odd box of chocolates or biscuits goes down well as a swap.
If you were near me, I could give you enough papers to keep you going for a while. It's taken years to build up the regular supply and I never refuse any as you never know when the supplies will stop, even if it means I have to store them / use more than usual. Unfortuntaely, it tends to be older people who buy papers and I used to lose them regularly
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I supply bags for my regular newspaper suppliers and just swap a full one for an empty one, or pack them into my rucksac and leave the original bag with them. I keep being given unwanted Bags For Life by someone else, so they get used for newspaper collections. I marker pen my name and phone number inside so it's easy to find, and hope for a text when they need collecting. The odd box of chocolates or biscuits goes down well as a swap.
If you were near me, I could give you enough papers to keep you going for a while. It's taken years to build up the regular supply and I never refuse any as you never know when the supplies will stop, even if it means I have to store them / use more than usual. Unfortuntaely, it tends to be older people who buy papers and I used to lose them regularly
.I did used to get papers from the library! So many in fact that I got over-run for a while and took a load to a wildlife sanctuary. I'm in a different county to the library and don't pass that way, so no longer get papers. I'll get by though - the supermarket has loads and I'll be frugal!
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I have failed to inform one of my current suppliers of this trend...I'm not sure how he would take itSorry to hear you have lost so many people
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