DIY bunny cabins
The Green Fields Rescue Recommended set up for 2 rabbits:
We recommend that 2 rabbits are not housed in a hutch, but in a converted shed with an attached run which is accessed via a lockable catflap. This gives them ample space to move around and play either inside or out and is totally weatherproof. You don’t have to carry them from a hutch to a run twice a day either. In the morning, all you have to do is unlock the catflap and open the outer door (see below for full details) and close it again at night! Simple! The shed floor is really easy to clean and if you place litter trays in each corner (and your bunnies use them!), then it will hardly take you any time at all. It also means that when the weather is fowl, you don’t have to clean out in the pouring rain…you can keep dry inside too! In nice weather, your bunnies have a safe area to sun themselves and if you position the aspect carefully, they can get maximum light through the window and mesh doors all day long.
The best thing? ITS CHEAPER THAN MOST HUTCHES!
Heres how:
Buy a 6 foot by 4 foot shed (minimum but of course go as large as you like if budget allows!). This size of shed takes only around 1 hour to erect with 2 people helping each other. If you are able to obtain a decent sized off cut of lino, we suggest you lay this on the floor for ease of cleaning. If you have an old hutch, you could place it inside the shed with the doors removed to make a sleeping compartment or you could put a shelf at one end for hopping onto.
Using 2x1 inch wood make an inner door frame and staple strong wire mesh to it. Hinge this inside the main door frame, secured closed with a strong hook or bolt, so that the outer door can be safely left open during the day to allow light and fresh air in, and so the bunnies can see out. Here are the sheds in the rescue:
The mesh doors are in 2 parts so that you can open the top one and step inside without the bunnies making a dash for it between your legs!!
For the run:
Using 2x2 inch wood with strong wire mesh stapled to it, a simple framework is screwed together and then screwed on to the side of the shed (If you want to, you can set the roof on hinges or make it separately so it can be lifted off. That way you can access the inside of the run for cleaning etc).
Top tip 1: If the run will be on concrete, mount the finished frame onto one inch blocks of wood on each corner. This will lift the run up just enough that you can sweep it and any dirt and poo etc can be swept clear without having to lift the whole run. Don’t forget you can always plant grass seed in small seed trays for your bunnies to eat and dig in.
Top tip 2: If the run goes out onto the grass, place concrete slabs all round the outside edge. That way, your bunnies cannot dig out, predators cannot dig in and you can walk all round the edge without getting your feet muddy!
Fit a 4 way locking cat flap to the side of the shed so that your bunnies can access the run. (This can be kept open using a peg until they learn to use it) and can be locked in poor weather or at night so that they are totally safe from predators which could dig into their run. Its nice to get a clear one so the bunnies can look out of the window!
Inside:
Think about how you can make the environment interesting and multi level. Add tunnels, hanging toys, a large hay rack or box and litter trays in each corner, perhaps an old hutch or shelf at one end. The possibilities are endless!
If you are able to run electricity to your bunny shed, you can even add a light and some heating for winter and a fan in summer (which we have on timers and circuit breakers for safety and so that we don’t forget to turn them on and off!) The heaters we use are ceramic bar heaters designed for greenhouses. They give off a good background warmth in the winter but only cost the same as two 60 watt lightbulbs to run. Make sure you place them at a height where your bunnies cannot reach them…..or the cables for that matter!
The finished hutch and run gives ample indoor space and outdoor space. Bunny heaven! You can easily complete this project in a weekend, or a day if 2 people do it. Want to give it a go?? Come and see us, we can give you all our hints and tips that might save you some time and money.
Materials and costs:
These prices are examples. If you shop around, or look on internet auction sites like ebay you might get a bargain or two!
6X4 Shed…………………..£85 from Focus Do It all (delivery is extra but this is the cheapest one around right now and its good quality)
1x2 inch Timber for frames…..£15 per pack B&Q or Wickes
Sturdy wire mesh……£12 for a 10 metre roll from www.screwfix.com
Cat Flap………………£12 from www.petplanet.co.uk
Hinges, catches, screws etc…£5 from www.screwfix.com
Total: £130
For comparison, this hutch, as lovely as it is, is just 4 feet by 2 feet...has no run.....and its over £200!
Here are some other peoples finished cabins to give you some inspiration:
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