Bank Hutches for rabbits

[tianakaesha]

I am planning on creating some bank hutches for my rabbits. They live in our shed most of the time, but have out door time in runs during the day if we are home.

My plans are to have 4 hutches high (50cm each) stacked with the top one split into two (making 5 possible hutches).

What I am wanting though is ideas on watering systems for the rabbits - especially for summer. While getting water to them each day is no problem, it's tiresome sometimes to lug water to the back of the yard (there is no tap attachment at the shed).

While a horizontal water system would be better, as the hutches are going to be stacked, I need to work out how to do a vertical watering system.

And then I'll start planning the feeder...

So, does anyone have any examples/plans/ideas of watering systems for rabbits?

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Gravity fed bucket system with "edstrom valves".
I found mine on Kingsnake.com, they are used in the labs to water small animals.
My poultry will drink from them also.

 

[tianakaesha]

Thanks for the info. I am off to check them out

 

[tianakaesha]

Does anyone have photos of their bank hutches? I'd love to see what other people are doing and get some ideas as to what I should consider for my own design.

 

[sc00ter4900]

Not to sound dumb but what are bank hutches? I have been using reagular hutches wich take up a lot of room. I just started making 8 foot hutches with 4 hole to save space. Thanks Scotty

 

[tianakaesha]

Bank hutches are what we call stacked hutches in Australia.

here are some photos!

 

[sc00ter4900]

Wow I like that . 4 holes on top of each other instead of side by side. So you must have a wood floor inside then? Does that make it harder for cleaning? My hutches are out side with a wire bottom.Your pic gave me a great idea . I can add a 4 hole under my 4 hole hutch with a piece of metal inbetween at an angle so they dont poop on each other. I'll have to add a pic later. Do you have your rabbits inside or out side? Im sure we must raise them a little different ?

 

[tianakaesha]

I have some plans all drawn up, I just need to get someone to build it haha!

I plan on having the insides of the cages tiled half way, and across the whole floor. Each hutch will also have litter boxes to reduce mess. The rabbits are inside (in my shed).

Currently I have plastic/wire cages, and will still use these over summer for ventilation and when the rabbits need to be looked after.

My rabbit plans (90% drawn up) include

* 2 units, with two hutches/holes/banks to be stacked (making 4 levels high)
*half wire/half wood doors to reduce kick-out of hay/shavings/mix onto floor
*gravity feeders made from poly pipe through the sides
*ventilation grooves on each end
*solar powered fans to give air flow over summer
*ice-pack stand/holder for cooling (I live in Sydney - 40 degrees Celsius over summer to consider)
*tiled floor and half walls for ease of cleaning
*hay holders to reduce hay waste
*on casters for easy move-ability through the shed

Added to this I have a compost started for rabbit waste. At the moment the hay is too great in volume causing issues, so am making a compost heap to deal with the mess.

I'm also drawing up matching plans for a food/bedding/hay bin somewhat like a horse stall bin to hold everything tidy. Also on casters for ease of movement.

Our buns are also in outside runs during the day where they get to have free grass access and excercise, so the smaller bank hutches are fine.

By planning the banks I am hoping to

*reduce waste
*reduce costs due to waste
*increase rabbit enjoyment
*decrease coat care and grass seed felting (I have cashmeres - similar to Jersey Woolies I think?)
*improving aesthetics - I am a graphic designer and like things to look good and be functional in design!

I'll be happy to share plans when I have finished drawing them up. I'm not a building designer however so they are a bit rudimentary! but they will be to scale (in Metric though haha!)


Now, if only I could find a builder in Sydney happy to exchange services for a website or something haha! then I'd be set!

 

[sc00ter4900]

Here is a pic of my hutch thats started but no way finished yet. I have 4 hole on top later I'm putting 4 hole on bot with a peice of metal slanted so the poop rolls off the back.

Its a start

 

[tianakaesha]

Thanks for sharing scooter.

How wide are each of the holes?

My plans are for show/pet rabbits. Each "hole" is 120cm x 50cm x 50cm (not sure of what that is in imperial (4 foot wide....etc)