Rabbit Hutch Build
I wanted to do something different with this part of my yard-it has been a garden for a long time. I thought chickens would be a lot of fun so I decided to take out the bed over there (the empty one) and build a coop.
I talked to people I knew who had chickens- everyone told me that chickens were disgusting. "Loud" "They stink" "Do you want mine?" That's what people who had chickens were telling me. Seriously, not a single chicken owner I talked to would do it again.
So...I changed course and started building a rabbit hutch.
I talked to people I knew who had chickens- everyone told me that chickens were disgusting. "Loud" "They stink" "Do you want mine?" That's what people who had chickens were telling me. Seriously, not a single chicken owner I talked to would do it again.
So...I changed course and started building a rabbit hutch.
I've always liked rabbits, my older daughter had them when growing up and I spent a lot of time with them. I think they are great pets. Affectionate...quiet. Soft, fuzzy, quiet...I really do tell people all the time, "They're the best pets you can have!"
Here you can see the framing, as well as the start of the 'rabbit bedroom'. Total size is about 4' x 10'. I'm using 2x4s for the framing, and redwood fence boards for the walls. Hardware cloth for the cage portions.
Here you can see the framing, as well as the start of the 'rabbit bedroom'. Total size is about 4' x 10'. I'm using 2x4s for the framing, and redwood fence boards for the walls. Hardware cloth for the cage portions.
I had a general idea of what I wanted, and I just went with it. My biggest concern is keeping the rabbits cool. It gets REALLY hot here- and rabbits don't like heat. Like they die from heat. So I need ways to keep them cool.
Second priority is keeping them safe. We've had raccoons and skunks in the yard, and coyotes near by. I also have two cats, one of which is a hunter...the other is worthless. But keeping them safe from predators is important.
The little platform the chair is on plays a role later.
Second priority is keeping them safe. We've had raccoons and skunks in the yard, and coyotes near by. I also have two cats, one of which is a hunter...the other is worthless. But keeping them safe from predators is important.
The little platform the chair is on plays a role later.
I'm working on the door to the bedroom. I want it to be strong enough that kids can hang on it. Also, strong enough that if a child is locked in, they won't destroy something while trying to break out.
Yes, they will lock each other in. No doubt about that. My sisters would have locked me in a cage if we had one. They just locked me out of the house.
Yes, they will lock each other in. No doubt about that. My sisters would have locked me in a cage if we had one. They just locked me out of the house.
You can see their bedroom. The main entrance is from the bottom. It's hard to see, but there is a hole in the floor near the back. I wanted to make the hutch child proof. If the rabbits want to hide away, they should be able to. We get a lot young kids at our house...and letting the rabbits hide away is important.
I'm starting to really like the redwood. I had intended to make most of it out of pine...but...the redwood looks so much better. And, where I live in Northern California, redwood is like our local lumber.
Also, you can see that I'm trying out an idea for the roof.
I'm starting to really like the redwood. I had intended to make most of it out of pine...but...the redwood looks so much better. And, where I live in Northern California, redwood is like our local lumber.
Also, you can see that I'm trying out an idea for the roof.
I've gotten to the point of building the person-door. I really don't have good plans on how the trim will work yet. But the door itself will be strong. It's February 6th, and it's starting to be light enough after work that I can get a few minutes of progress done.
If I can put in some cross-pieces and staple the wire to the door in one evening, I will be thrilled.
As I get older, I realize that things take me a whole lot longer than it used to. I spend a lot of time on 'thinking breaks', which means I stare at things and talk to myself.
If I can put in some cross-pieces and staple the wire to the door in one evening, I will be thrilled.
As I get older, I realize that things take me a whole lot longer than it used to. I spend a lot of time on 'thinking breaks', which means I stare at things and talk to myself.
King of the world.
Big progress made!
You can see most of the trim is in- except above and below the door. I hope to have two more weekends of work before it is ready for rabbits.
The small doors on each end are so I can leave them open, and have the rabbits come and go freely. I want them to spend as much time hopping around the yard as possible.
The ceiling is in. That is not the roof, but the ceiling- more to come in that area. You can also see that I have part of the floor in.
You can see most of the trim is in- except above and below the door. I hope to have two more weekends of work before it is ready for rabbits.
The small doors on each end are so I can leave them open, and have the rabbits come and go freely. I want them to spend as much time hopping around the yard as possible.
The ceiling is in. That is not the roof, but the ceiling- more to come in that area. You can also see that I have part of the floor in.
I want to make it enjoyable to be spend time with the rabbits...so I knew I needed a bench.
My wife says that this bench is her favorite part of the project.
Oh...see that floor? Remember I mentioned the platform the chair was on? I took it apart and made this floor.
When this was a chicken coop, I was planning a dirt floor. Now that it's a rabbit hutch/shed I need a floor so they can't dig out. And I really don't like the idea of having a wire floor...so it's a nice wooden floor.
My wife says that this bench is her favorite part of the project.
Oh...see that floor? Remember I mentioned the platform the chair was on? I took it apart and made this floor.
When this was a chicken coop, I was planning a dirt floor. Now that it's a rabbit hutch/shed I need a floor so they can't dig out. And I really don't like the idea of having a wire floor...so it's a nice wooden floor.
February 25th
Here is the ramp that goes up to the bedroom. This is another thing that was built very strong because I knew the kids were going to be climbing on it. There are 2x2s on each side. I can walk up this ramp. It will be sturdy enough for rabbits.
I didn't put 'stairs' in yet, because I am not sure if the rabbits will need them. (And...yes, they ended up needing them!)
The other little box is going to be a litter box. With rabbits a litter box and a sleep box and a dinner party are pretty much all the same thing. The box will hold wood shavings and hay. The rabbits can call it whatever they want.
I didn't put 'stairs' in yet, because I am not sure if the rabbits will need them. (And...yes, they ended up needing them!)
The other little box is going to be a litter box. With rabbits a litter box and a sleep box and a dinner party are pretty much all the same thing. The box will hold wood shavings and hay. The rabbits can call it whatever they want.
This is a test of the roof...it is not complete here at all! But this gives you a good idea of what it will look like. Good overhang on all the sides. Great shade, waterproof.
The top roof will block the sun. Then it's basically like we have an attic.
The top roof will block the sun. Then it's basically like we have an attic.
Finally! The rabbits have arrived!
That's Bob on the left, and Becky on the right. They are about 3 1/2 months old here. Standard Rex. And...that's spilled water that Bob is sitting on, not rabbit pee. I wish rabbit pee were that clean.
I looked on Craigslist and found someone who had the exact type of rabbits that I wanted. We got to pick them out...it was a nice little family trip, and a lot of fun. At this point the rabbits are nice, but they don't really come up to us.
I looked on Craigslist and found someone who had the exact type of rabbits that I wanted. We got to pick them out...it was a nice little family trip, and a lot of fun. At this point the rabbits are nice, but they don't really come up to us.
They have only been in their new home for a couple of hours, but they are getting used to things. They like to run up and down the ramp. They seem happy so far. Bob ran around like a crazy man, he was happy. Becky is far more timid, but it's nice she was in the photo here.
Bob was like, "Oh hey Becky...what's up?" Oh yeah, Bob...you sly dog...
I think baby rabbits are in our future. Not the plan, but Bob doesn't really care about the plan.
Bob was like, "Oh hey Becky...what's up?" Oh yeah, Bob...you sly dog...
I think baby rabbits are in our future. Not the plan, but Bob doesn't really care about the plan.
Batten Down the Hatches
It's finally going to rain...for real. The entire time I've been building this hutch, we had one day of light rain. Perfect weather for working. Now it is supposed to really rain, but I'm not entirely finished!
I came home from work early, just to get the roof partially in place. The previous picture with the roof was just a dry-fit. Now these panels are screwed on tight.
And, you can see the beginnings of the 'arts' part of this Arts and Crafts rabbit hutch. I knew I wanted stained glass...and I got some from a friend. This was good.
I came home from work early, just to get the roof partially in place. The previous picture with the roof was just a dry-fit. Now these panels are screwed on tight.
And, you can see the beginnings of the 'arts' part of this Arts and Crafts rabbit hutch. I knew I wanted stained glass...and I got some from a friend. This was good.
Success!
Rabbits are extremely friendly animals. And they don't back down from anything!
I have noticed that Bob will always put himself between Becky and any threat. Bob's an animal.
I have noticed that Bob will always put himself between Becky and any threat. Bob's an animal.
And that includes the cats. Bob does not mess around...he chases the cats far more than the cats chase him. But they seem to be having fun. Any concern I had about the cats harassing the rabbits is gone. Much more likely that Bob is harassing them. Stupid cats.
Rabbits Like to Eat
Do you know what rabbits do for fun? They eat.
They eat a LOT!
They eat a LOT!
I love it when they eat the grass.
But not everything else! That's a really nice little decorative oxalis. It's not going to last long.
At the end of the day though, when they get put back into their shed...they are very, very happy. This is when Bob will come over and flop next to me, and Becky will come over to me for some pets. Then they talk to each other a lot, snuggle, and just rest together.
My project is not over...
Phase One was a matter of building the shed. Phase Two will be to make the rabbit project one hundred percent wife-friendly- meaning that everything works, and the rabbits don't destroy the yard. I do have plans...and you'll see them soon!
Phase One was a matter of building the shed. Phase Two will be to make the rabbit project one hundred percent wife-friendly- meaning that everything works, and the rabbits don't destroy the yard. I do have plans...and you'll see them soon!