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Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Help with Converting Furniture to Cage

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    • domin0
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        So I have just a basic rabbit cage now but was already considering building something larger. I’ve seen a few cages where people converted a piece of pre-existing furniture into a rabbit home and really liked the idea. However I’m concerned with the types of wood whatever piece of furniture I find is made of. I know there are no-no woods but don’t know how I would tell what wood it is unless I but it new from a store.

        Also, what ventilation requirements would I need to fulfill? Bun is only going to be in there while we’re sleeping or no one is home (between our scheduled that’s really only two hours some days, three max). I know the more ventilation the better, but would like top to be solid, as well as one side that would be next to the couch. Would front and back fully ventilated be enough?

        Lastly, is there such a thing as rabbit safe paints? And would stock on linoleum work for flooring?

        Thanks everyone!


      • Sarita
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          I love this idea but I always have a concern that the size is not adequate for a rabbit. It would have to be a massive piece of furniture to be able to convert properly for enough space for a rabbit.


        • domin0
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            I agree, I have what is my record shelving now that I may use, but either way I’m using that as a size template. It’s about 3.5 feet tall, 5 feet long, and 2 feet deep. Would that be an alright size?

            Also we have already rabbit proofed the living room, and will have the rest of the apartment except the office done soon, so he’ll only be in his cage for very limited times.

            If I don’t end up finding something big enough to convert I’ll end up building something from scratch that works about the same (I hope haha)


          • Sarita
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              I think so.

              What size is your rabbit?


            • Mocha
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                Sounds good to me, are you going to let your rabbit free range though. And do you know the dimentions of this cage and how large is your rabbit?
                Linoleum is great to use as flooring as long as your rabbit isn’t eating it.
                I have heard of a brand of paint called Mythic Non-Toxic Paint that might work.
                If you think that you’re rabbit will be able to chew the wood, it has to be untreated.
                If the cage is big enough for your rabbit to hop three times across and stand on his hand legs, that is the minimum required dimensions for a cage according to the house rabbit society.


              • domin0
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                  Yeah he will be primarily free range, he’s a Holland mini lop so he shouldn’t get too big but I’m not positive as to the exact size he’ll be full grown.

                  Thank you guys for the suggestions too, I want to make sure it’s best for my bun


                • Deleted User
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                    Hi domin0! I did exactly just that – I made Henry (a mini lop) his house from a cabinet, home made cage and a carrier (for his toilet) and it works perfectly (and looks great – well, I think it does LOL!). Henry is free range 24/7, so even though it is smallish, it does the job for him to eat, hang out, etc. I am trying to upload some photo’s to show you what and how we made it but the site won’t let me upload pic’s at this moment? I’ll keep trying throughout the day for you. Cheers domino.


                  • Deleted User
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                    • domin0
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                        That’s really awesome! Did you do anything special for the wood inside the cabinet?


                      • LongEaredLions
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                          Oh AH! I have never seen Henry’s house before! I love it! Good Job!


                        • Deleted User
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                            THANKS LEL! I painted the cage part the same colour as the wall to help it blend in and I normally have my table and chairs in front (I moved them to clean the floors) so it doesn’t stand out, and the cabinet looks nice at the end. And I should say my hubby made it and cut the hole in the cabinet – I bought the cabinet and drew up the plans and painted, ha ha ha!

                            I did buy the cabinet new domin0, it’s made of a durable melamine (Henry hasn’t broken through it – YET!) and cause he is free to roam 24/7 he’s got better things to chew on, like MY cane bed and MY cane box chest, ha ha ha (NOT!). Hubby made his cage from untreated pine and plywood, the frame fits into the bottom tray which we lined with vinyl, and the paint is safe for all pets and children (we used the same paint when “”I”” painted the house – yes I’m taking credit for that!) LOL!
                            I know your worried about the type of wood used in your cabinet, can you take a sample (shelf) to your hardware store? That’s what I would do here…. and if they are experienced maybe they can tell you and guide you.
                            And I’m wondering if you could line it with something bunny safe?
                            I actually wanted to use the tray in the cabinet for Henry’s toilet – so easy to open the doors and take it out to clean and for him to use the carrier for a hidey spot. But NO! Henry always does things opposite to what I want – so it’s the other way around, but it all works! Cheers.

                            PS – Henry loves to jump on top to periscope and look out the window or out over us – he’s a sticky beek!


                          • Whobott
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                              So here is a link to what woods aren’t safe I can’t seem to find any saying what’s IS safe but I hope this helps

                              https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070922194737AAXaTQF


                            • Sarita
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                                Well AndHenry since Henry is free roam I don’t see an issue with this size since it’s not really used to keep him enclosed otherwise it wouldn’t be appropriate…that being said, it’s a great setup.


                              • Deleted User
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                                  Thanks Sarita! And no, Henry is NEVER ever locked in there. If we have visitors (Henry can’t be seen by guests/visitors – except family) he is usually asleep under my bed, so we just close the door to our room. And once a year the house gets sprayed for pests and we put him outside in an outdoor hutch (and boy does he hate that!) lol! This is just a little set up for his toilet and to keep his water and hay contained – he even eats his pellets and veggies under the breakfast bar, ha ha ha – silly bunny. Oh, and even though the floor looks clean, they are usually covered in toilet rolls and anything cardboard (and the odd stray poop!) LOL! Cheers.


                                • JackRabbit
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                                    Nice Henry-house! His own house, ramp to the window, and free roam — spoiled bunny! No wonder he thought it was ok to help himself to a coke! Its ALL his anyway! Ha ha.


                                  • jerseygirl
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                                      I love how Henry’s toiletis an outhouse.

                                      domin0, I think you could use almost any piece of furniture but just line the inside with untreated pine. By the time you’ve installed 2 ventilated sides, you should only need some lengths if wood to line the frame inside. Solid walls could be covered with coroplast or plywood. Then suitable flooring installed.

                                      It’s the outside you’re wanting to paint?


                                    • Deleted User
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                                        YES Jersey! Keeping the great Australian ‘outhouse’ (dunny) tradition alive, HA HA HA! And you got it spot on JR – Henry OWNS the place! (cheeky bunny!) LOL!
                                          
                                        How is your bunny house going domin0? I can’t wait to hear…… cheers.

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                                    Forum HABITATS AND TOYS Help with Converting Furniture to Cage