kotapony
Well-known member
Hi all!
I'm peeking out from under my rock with another question (I read daily but can't find time to post or anything useful to say).
I'm looking for thoughts on an indoor cage. My daughter (almost 4) wants a black pet rabbit. I have 3 in the nest box now for her to pick from (conveniently all black) and I plan to let her keep this one in the house. They are an odd-ball Californian x lion-lop mix (long story lol). I'd call dad medium sized. I've never weighed him, but I wouldn't guess more than 5-6 pounds. Guessing mom is in the 10 pound range. I'm debating on cage options, and could use some RT wisdom.
Cost is an issue - we're running tight so while I will spend what I have to, I don't want to spend more than I need to. I've narrowed down to the following 3 options (but am open to other thoughts as well):
The cage I have:
I have an old super-pet type cage, which is 17x30 (inside). That just doesn't seem very big. But is it big enough?
Build a C&C cage:
I used to use C&C type cages when I had guinea pigs. I don't still have any, but could make a new one. I have enough grids and wire shelving for a top. I'd just need some zip ties and a sheet of coroplast, making this a fairly inexpensive option. My concerns: The wire shelving worked well with a 1 panel high cage. Not sure that would be tall enough for a rabbit? I believe the cube panels are 14" square. And I don't know how sturdy it would be if I went 2 panels high. Plus that would make the rabbit pretty inaccessible to the kids due to height, which defeats the purpose of a pet rabbit. And if 1 panel high would work, would a rabbit just chew up the soft coroplast? I've seen some people use this cage type for rabbits but it doesn't seem common.
Buy a new cage:
My max budget here is $100. From what I've found this one seems the biggest I can get for that price. I'd go with the XL size. Currently on sale, so I ought to order soon if I'm going to.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=23958
I know there are those here who do have rabbits inside. I value the practical and wise advice to be found here on RT, so I'm hoping y'all can guide me again. Thanks!
Quick update for those who remember me: Still milking cows. We're 2 years into the transition to certified organic (1 year to go!). Just had our 3rd little monkey (a girl) born April 23, adding to our daughter almost 4 and our son 2.5. For many reasons I gave up my rabbit colony for now and am down to 1 Californian doe and a lion-lop buck (my dad's dog got my 2 meat bucks and I haven't yet found a replacement). I miss the colony and am seriously thinking about going down to just one pet rabbit for Sami until I can save up the funds to build a nice outdoor colony the way I'd like, and when the kids are old enough to help. Maybe next summer, but more likely the following one.
I'm peeking out from under my rock with another question (I read daily but can't find time to post or anything useful to say).
I'm looking for thoughts on an indoor cage. My daughter (almost 4) wants a black pet rabbit. I have 3 in the nest box now for her to pick from (conveniently all black) and I plan to let her keep this one in the house. They are an odd-ball Californian x lion-lop mix (long story lol). I'd call dad medium sized. I've never weighed him, but I wouldn't guess more than 5-6 pounds. Guessing mom is in the 10 pound range. I'm debating on cage options, and could use some RT wisdom.
Cost is an issue - we're running tight so while I will spend what I have to, I don't want to spend more than I need to. I've narrowed down to the following 3 options (but am open to other thoughts as well):
The cage I have:
I have an old super-pet type cage, which is 17x30 (inside). That just doesn't seem very big. But is it big enough?
Build a C&C cage:
I used to use C&C type cages when I had guinea pigs. I don't still have any, but could make a new one. I have enough grids and wire shelving for a top. I'd just need some zip ties and a sheet of coroplast, making this a fairly inexpensive option. My concerns: The wire shelving worked well with a 1 panel high cage. Not sure that would be tall enough for a rabbit? I believe the cube panels are 14" square. And I don't know how sturdy it would be if I went 2 panels high. Plus that would make the rabbit pretty inaccessible to the kids due to height, which defeats the purpose of a pet rabbit. And if 1 panel high would work, would a rabbit just chew up the soft coroplast? I've seen some people use this cage type for rabbits but it doesn't seem common.
Buy a new cage:
My max budget here is $100. From what I've found this one seems the biggest I can get for that price. I'd go with the XL size. Currently on sale, so I ought to order soon if I'm going to.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=23958
I know there are those here who do have rabbits inside. I value the practical and wise advice to be found here on RT, so I'm hoping y'all can guide me again. Thanks!
Quick update for those who remember me: Still milking cows. We're 2 years into the transition to certified organic (1 year to go!). Just had our 3rd little monkey (a girl) born April 23, adding to our daughter almost 4 and our son 2.5. For many reasons I gave up my rabbit colony for now and am down to 1 Californian doe and a lion-lop buck (my dad's dog got my 2 meat bucks and I haven't yet found a replacement). I miss the colony and am seriously thinking about going down to just one pet rabbit for Sami until I can save up the funds to build a nice outdoor colony the way I'd like, and when the kids are old enough to help. Maybe next summer, but more likely the following one.