My weekend project - growout cage!

[Diamond]

I invested in 2 rolls of wire, one for floors/ doors and one for walls. Built a super deluxe growout cage this weekend, with a 2nd story and bunny buckets! Just put the weanlings in there..... already had one explore the upstairs!

 

[ZRabbits]

That really turned out good! Weanlings look like they are enjoying exploring.

Karen

 

[Secuono]

Well, the ramp is awfully steep and the 1st floor wire is installed upside down.
But as long as they like it and don't injure themselves going back down the ramp, it's all good.
I would cover the feeder, inside and out, so they don't pee all over it.

 

[Diamond]

I can raise the ramp up a bit. On my other cages with ramps they eventually learn to just hop up and down without it - those little guys are quite agile. I never have figured out if there is an upside or downside to the floors. I give them cardboard boxes and things to use as hidey holes/ shred material, same with the hay - its more of a diversional device than actual feed. Keeps 'em busy.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Looks good!

The way you tell the side of the wire to keep up is that the spacing is only 1/2" wide. To make your ramp less steep, why not attach it to the side of the cage and the wood slat on the other side and leave clearance underneath it? The bunnies will quickly learn to hop that short distance to access the ramp.

You may notice that since your bunnybuckets are evenly horizontal the rabbits will have to work at keeping themselves in them. If you angle the slope toward the back, their bunnybutts will slip backwards and then they can just relax and enjoy lounging.

I think you are going to have some very happy growouts in that cage!

 

[Piper]

I will go with MSD critic, but beyond that, I want one or three! My rabbits love (some old chinchilla cages that have) 2nd floors.
I have pictures the cages, in my gallery. I have one odd idea though and if they do it, please post. Would they eat hay on the second floor and potty on those below them, or do they already have a potty area? I have not had enough nerve to do it on that size cage, I did not know if they wire would be strong enough, or would bow under the rabbits weight. I would be one way of getting more floor space, out of one 2ft tall cage! Looks nice!

 

[Diamond]

Note the support beams! Definitely needed with the 2nd floor and number of kits. I plan to build 1 or 2 more and have about 5 to 6 juveniles per cage. Will fine tune the flaws with the next one. I did include a door on the top end of the cage, so I can lower the cage and reach in from above to catch the buns on the 2nd floor.

Good tip on the bunny buckets, can easily be fixed since I am hanging them with wire, I can drop the skinny end down.

They haven't picked a potty spot yet so we will see what happens. I clean out the old hay that hangs around daily. I have started spreading my rabbit compost around the horse pasture, my theory is that the manure and hay seeds are like reseed-and-fertilize all in one!

 

[Evvie]

What a pretty cage! I'd love to experiment with two storied cages. I am in a very crafty mood lately and knitting just isn't cutting it.

 

[fishdip]

Nice work on the cages. Many add the food water on the top floor so u never need worry about per or pop on/in them

 

[Diamond]

Been thinking about the food thing (pee and poo issues) and WHY DIDNT I THINK OF JUST MOVING IT UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR????? OMG that is just way too simple! And they will have to exercise a little to go eat! I think I'll leave the water bottles where they are at, so they have to move between the food and the water.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Very nice, Diamond! I have been thinking about adding some shelves to my growout cages. Or, having removable shelves that I can add and take out if I need the cage for a doe or buck.