Pastor Dave
Herd Master
One other thing just struck me from looking at the pic again. The chicken wire used for the floor is not good for rabbit feet. They need a mesh that is 1/2"x1". You don't want to cut their feet.
New to Rabbits
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ccheek
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As far as I know they aren't from the same litter. We are moving them into a better home soon. This was just a very spontaneous way to get them a place to sleep. Thank you for the help. We are learning quickly and can hopefully give them a good home with y'alls help.
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ccheek
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I have a few follow-up questions on the cages for you guys, please. I have been contemplating and googling hutch plans. I went to the farm supply store today to figure out what was available quickly. I found the 1/2"x1" mesh that @Pastor Dave recommended. I also read on another thread where you guys use 1"x1" and 1"x2" for the sides and top, you recommend staying away from wooden hutches, and @Pastor Dave even gave some great information on the dimensions. I'm deeply indebted for all the knowledge. My questions are:
1) Will you share some pictures of a recommended setup, or what works best for you?
2) How do you guys deal with the poop issue? I have a garden and would love to put it to use. I have seen pictures where people guide it into a gutter or PVC pipe. Any opinions?
3) I've been told they need a constant supply of hay. Should hay just be laid out in the cage or do they have mini-mangers (that probably sounds stupid, but I gotta ask)?
4) Can they be kept in the same area (not same pen, but maybe same barn just separated)? I've read that chickens have certain bacteria by nature that can be bad for rabbits, but I don't know what to believe and not believe.
5) @LukeMeister talked about runs.... Do the runs need a mesh bottom so they don't burrow? Or will the runs need to be built off the ground (more questions that sound stupid even as I type them, but I just want to make as few mistakes as possible from the get go)?
1) Will you share some pictures of a recommended setup, or what works best for you?
2) How do you guys deal with the poop issue? I have a garden and would love to put it to use. I have seen pictures where people guide it into a gutter or PVC pipe. Any opinions?
3) I've been told they need a constant supply of hay. Should hay just be laid out in the cage or do they have mini-mangers (that probably sounds stupid, but I gotta ask)?
4) Can they be kept in the same area (not same pen, but maybe same barn just separated)? I've read that chickens have certain bacteria by nature that can be bad for rabbits, but I don't know what to believe and not believe.
5) @LukeMeister talked about runs.... Do the runs need a mesh bottom so they don't burrow? Or will the runs need to be built off the ground (more questions that sound stupid even as I type them, but I just want to make as few mistakes as possible from the get go)?
samssimonsays
Milo & Me Hoppy Tail Acres
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I agree to stay away from wood however, my favorite for cooler weather or outside housing is wood... I attached a photo of my set up and the wooden hutches we built.
samssimonsays
Milo & Me Hoppy Tail Acres
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My hay mangers are pretty simple... I buy small baskets at the dollar store and zip tie or wire them to the outside of the cage to keep it clean and for the easiest way for me.
I have heard of people keeping them in the same area. I don't have chickens so I don't know.
I have used play pens or fencing for mine outside but I do suggest one that has a bottom and a top if they will be left unsupervised at any point in time in them. It will protect them from predators and from escaping. They will also need a hut of some sort if they are outside to stay out of the sun.
I have heard of people keeping them in the same area. I don't have chickens so I don't know.
I have used play pens or fencing for mine outside but I do suggest one that has a bottom and a top if they will be left unsupervised at any point in time in them. It will protect them from predators and from escaping. They will also need a hut of some sort if they are outside to stay out of the sun.
LukeMeister
Loving the herd life
If they start digging holes around the edges, maybe. But I put the mesh on the outside of the cage along the bottom (mine are mobile so the can mow/fertilize our lawn) so they can't walk on it and hurt their feet.
These are what mine look like.
Just with mesh laid out on the ground so they can't dig out.
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ccheek
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Thank you @Samantha drawz. You have a pretty good setup. It will definitely take a while for us to get that far along, but if my daughter has her way we'll get there. 
Awww.... I like your little cages/runs @LukeMeister. Those look pretty easy to put together and move. My husband would love the fact that I could just move them to mow instead of him having to weedeat around them. We would definitely have to put something over it or put them under a tree to give them some shade as far south as we live.
Awww.... I like your little cages/runs @LukeMeister. Those look pretty easy to put together and move. My husband would love the fact that I could just move them to mow instead of him having to weedeat around them. We would definitely have to put something over it or put them under a tree to give them some shade as far south as we live.
Pastor Dave
Herd Master
I have some framework I built to sit cages on side by side, and can stack them triple high. This is at the back of my shed and fastened to exposed studs. It is made from 2x2's. I can't really upload pics too well right now. I have room for 60" of cage(s) on each of the three levels. So, for me, I have a row with a 24"x24" beside a 36"x 24" cage. I also have a row with two 30x30" cages. On top are a couple extra unused spare cages.
I would prefer to have made some framework out of pvc pipe or anything less absorbent as wood.
I also have up two larger cages on one side wall that are hanging from rafters, and two more across on the other wall that are both on metal legs.
I haven't had much luck with hay feeders, so just place as much as they will eat during the night by their food trough on the floor. They do not seem to mind so much that it is directly on the floor. You can get an idea of how much is too much per rabbit by what is not eaten come morning.
I found a roll of hardware mesh at Rural King that is approx three feet high. It was intended to put around a garden to keep rabbits out. I figured it would work to keep them in. I cut two 5' pieces and two 4' pieces and made a rectangle slightly bigger than a square. I used j-clamps to attach the pieces. I also had a roll of chicken wire that is 4' wide. I made a piece to cover the top and again used j-clamps to hinge it to one side. I can lay it down flat since there s no bottom, and the top is only fastened to one side. I use metal tent stakes to fasten it down secure. I put it inside my chain link fenced in yard, but mine are content in the larger area with the fresh grass and clover that they have not tried to dig out.
Hope this helps you some. If I can get some pics uploaded, I will send a few.
I would prefer to have made some framework out of pvc pipe or anything less absorbent as wood.
I also have up two larger cages on one side wall that are hanging from rafters, and two more across on the other wall that are both on metal legs.
I haven't had much luck with hay feeders, so just place as much as they will eat during the night by their food trough on the floor. They do not seem to mind so much that it is directly on the floor. You can get an idea of how much is too much per rabbit by what is not eaten come morning.
I found a roll of hardware mesh at Rural King that is approx three feet high. It was intended to put around a garden to keep rabbits out. I figured it would work to keep them in. I cut two 5' pieces and two 4' pieces and made a rectangle slightly bigger than a square. I used j-clamps to attach the pieces. I also had a roll of chicken wire that is 4' wide. I made a piece to cover the top and again used j-clamps to hinge it to one side. I can lay it down flat since there s no bottom, and the top is only fastened to one side. I use metal tent stakes to fasten it down secure. I put it inside my chain link fenced in yard, but mine are content in the larger area with the fresh grass and clover that they have not tried to dig out.
Hope this helps you some. If I can get some pics uploaded, I will send a few.
samssimonsays
Milo & Me Hoppy Tail Acres
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I had another side of cages too that was basically large breed dog kennels with litter trays in the back and they were potty trained.
LukeMeister
Loving the herd life
Yeah, they are. We live in NC and it gets pretty hot here in the Summer, so we freeze water bottles for them to lean against when it's too hot.
