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Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Recommended X Pen height

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    • CharleyBunn
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        I plan on getting an X pen and wondered what height to get. I know they come in all different sizes. My rabbits still a baby and can jump out of a 2 foot barrier. So far he loves to jump over any obstacle in his path. He goes back and forth, so it’s not necessarily an escape thing- he just loves to hop and jump. This may be just play or a baby thing, but Im counting on it to carry over to when he’s an adult just to be safe and possible turn into an escape thing. Do some “jumpers” escape their x pens regardless of height (as adults)? Should I just do the c and c cage w/ a top?


      • Sarita
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          My preference is the 36″ one. Most likely he would not be able to jump this high (I’ve heard of it happening though). What you can do is clip a bed sheet over the top though if he seems like he can escape this height.

          Though at his age he can possibly still fit through the bars so that would be something to consider until he gets older.


        • CharleyBunn
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            Thanks again Sarita I plan on waiting til he’s a little older to use the X pen because I want to make sure he’s fully hooked on his litter box first. He’s been doing perfect w/ litter training so far, but I don’t want to jinx it by moving him. I have been seeing some x pens on craigslist and thought I’d grab one up if I came across one of the right height. I’ll look for a 36” or up one. The bed sheet is a good idea! I just like the way the x pens are already solid and easily re shaped compared to the c and cs. But the c & c’s are a great option if this doesn’t work out. so many ideas on this forum w/ users pictures and advice!

            This might be a silly question but I have all hardwood/tile floors. At play time we put down towels and an old sheet. He’s starting to venture off of them though. At first he would stay on the sheet like there was an invisible fence. He doesn’t seem to slip or slide near as much. He will run and jump and binky on the tile, but still slips around somewhat on the hardwood. I am worried he will lose his footing when jumping or running and injure himself. I try to keep him on the sheet, but he is so curious he wants to go beyond the sheet and investigate and play. The more I try to keep him on the sheet, the more determined he seems to see whats on the other side lol.
            The x pen will go over the tile, which he seems comfortable w/ now. Should I still make him some type of mat or flooring to go inside the x pen, and if so what material? If it’s ok to leave it just tile and offer him a bed, I would do that too. I’ve read that rex rabbits have very sensitive feet and get sore hocks very easily. He has no wires or grids in his housing or litter box.Is there anything else that could make him have sore hocks?

            Thanks again!


          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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              It would depend on the animal-I bet six inches could keep my Rupert penned But 36 was no deterrant for Kokanee. Anyway you can check his jumping height before committing to a size? Maybe fencing something off and seeing if he gets over, or is thwarted?

              I would do a floor; laminate/tile looks great and is easy to clean but is terrible for pets, even dogs have a hard time on it and it can cause back pain. You’ll want something cushy and with traction. I usually use the rubber floor mats that are sold in a four pack with a puzzle type set up; and then carpet remnants over top.


            • sleepy538
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                mine is 48″ tall. callie has a hidey house, and if she stood on that and jumped, she’d definitely clear 36″.

                also, i bought the puzzle mats too, and just threw a fleece blanket over them. 


              • CharleyBunn
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                  Thanks for the responses! I will get some type of flooring for him. We have real tile and its pretty hard and sometimes cold. Last night I was reading about causes of sore hocks and read any hard surface (concrete-plastic bottom cages) can cause them because they need something more spongey like turf. The puzzle mats covered w/ something sounds nice.
                  I know Charley probably couldn’t clear 36 inches now, but he’s only around 2 months old. I will try to find the tallest that I can and if he winds up jumping it, I will try what Sarita said and put something over the top of it. I was thinking of putting a big rubbermaid bin upside down w/ a door cut in it to use as a hidey or a place to put his litter box (I saw several in pictures on here). But since they’re flat on top it would be a perfect jumping platform. Maybe if I put it against a side that’s along a wall he wouldn’t clear a jump, but then I think ha I’ve done nothing but underestimated his jumping skills so far lol. Where can you get those A frame/tent shaped hideys- the ones that look like some type of woven mat material? Maybe I’ll have to use one of those.


                • mia
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                    My buns are 2-3lbs and they’ve cleared 30″ easily.

                     

                    Other ways of clearing besides regular jumps include jumping off a box, a carrier, and other toys that was in the middle of the x-pen, running and springing off the side wall to clear, and of course, simply knocking it over. Not to worry though, after they’ve had their fun, they jump right back home and pretend to be innocent despite leaving a poo or two outside their area .

                     

                    http://store.binkybunny.com/willow-…d-p40.aspx  ?


                  • CharleyBunn
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                      Aww. I can totally see a bunny springing off a side wall to clear an x pen now lol. I know it’s silly, but I get so nervous when Charley starts trying to clear things. He is fearless and once he wants over he won’t stop trying. And when he is binkying and running around, he is like a reckless driver. He will slam into something and bounce right back up and take off again, but I am covering my eyes thinking the worst lol.

                      I’m not sure how big Charley will get. I was told he was maybe a mini rex. He does appear more rexier the older he gets. But he has a bunch of long whiskers and eye lashes, which I read rex do not have. So Idk if he is a mix or what. I assume he won’t be very large. But I wouldn’t know the difference b/w a standard rex kit or a mini rex kit, so I can’t really tell. I remember reading somewhere that the smaller bunnies jump higher than most larger ones. Idk if its because they just are usually more active or what. Maybe Charley will be a lazy bun who loves his x pen, lol but I am trying to prepare for an escape artist in the making Thanks for all the tips!.


                    • Beka27
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                        I might look for a 42 inch if he seems to be a jumper. (We have a 36 inch and my buns stay put generally.) Definitely look for a pen that has a walk-thru door so you can step in and out to feed and clean. Some xpens only have a small square opening in the side for the animal to come in and out. Having a full size door makes everything so much simpler!


                      • Sarita
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                          I agree about a full size door – I usually use the opening myself though where the clips connect the pen together (if that makes any sense at all).


                        • StarlightAria13
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                            I’m buying the 42. The world record for bunny jumps is 39.2 so if he is a jumper (mine is) go with the 42. Unless you think he will turn out to be a bunny Olympian.


                          • StarlightAria13
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                              And l have heard of people using tarps or shower curtains with blankies or sheets over them.


                            • LabAgility
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                                If you plan on keeping your xpen in a square they make cool wire tops. We had to buy one when one one of my labs went through knee surgery.

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                            Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Recommended X Pen height