Indoor Hutch – DIY

[Katscarpena]

Ok, so

I am tired of ugly cages bought a HUGE beautiful buffet at my fav antique/vintage place and am gutting it and turning it into an indoor hutch for the boys. It’s over 6 ft long and 2 ft wide, and 3.5 ft tall. I went off that 4×4 area recommended. Basically they will each have over 2 sq ft of space with 2 levels in the hutch (individually) and then of course Licorice has free run, and we are going to attach a large x-pen to Chipper side.

(BTW – I will post pics of the process. We pick up the piece today.)

Plan – for the boys to be side by side – able to see/smell each other at all times. The hope is that eventually they might bond and be able to share the large space together.

Questions:

1) Will they stay litter/cage trained? Chipper is amazing about the litter. Licorice – not so much. He goes only in his cage, but doesn’t use that pan no matter WHAT I try. I’m a little worried about what he’ll do when moved. I want his potty spot to be in that hutch – not someplace else in my house.

2) What would you all use for flooring in the hutch?

3) Do you think a major housing shake up like this might help the bonding process?  

[Mocha]

1) I would put the litterbox wherever they seem to want to go. I wouldn’t let Licorice have free run though, until he masters the litterbox.

2) For flooring, I would attach a piece of thick linoleum to the bottom of the buffet. You can leave it like that (if they don’t chew it) until they master the litterbox. After they do, you can experiment putting fleece on the bottom, but some rabbits think fleece is litter and decide to go to the bathroom on it. Keep the linoleum there in case they have any future accidents and it won’t ruin the wood on the bottom of the buffet.

3) It might help with their bonding, but i’m not sure. What have you done with the bonding so far?

[Deleted User]

Ditto Mocha’s 1) & 2) – sorry, no idea on 3) the bonding.
I can’t wait to see the pic’s as you build their new home! Super excited! Part of Henry’s house (not the he uses it – dam bunny!) is a cabinet.
I’ll be checking in Katscarpena, so don’t let me down with those photo’s (LOL!), cheers.

[Katscarpena]

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This is it! Not sure 100% about the exact location because it is a “traffic” area. There is only 1 other option location wise though because it’s so large. In the middle section – it will be gutted too, and divided in 1/2 along where the doors meet.

[Mocha]

You’re so generous letting your bunnies use that as a house!
I have an antique buffet just like that and I would never let my bunnies live in it and chew it up!

[Katscarpena]

LOL – I scored it for only $150 at this 2nd hand store I love called Attic to Basement Repeats. The owner Darlene is awesome – and a fellow rescued animal lover.

We started gutting it today. Trying to figure out how to maximize the space and keep it fun and spacious in there. Plus – easy access for cleaning. That’s proving tricky to think up. I think we’ll need to make a series of removable screens.

[Kbana]

Can’t wait to see it when you’re done!

[Deleted User]

The cabinet is beautiful! Henry’s cabinet (part of his house) looks like crap compared to that! LOL!
I can’t wait to see it finished tooooo! Cheers.

[MissGabbster]

That’s a gorgeous buffet. I can’t wait to see what you do with it!

Those are some lucky buns you got there.

I also agree with Mocha on not letting Licorice have free rein until he’s litter trained.

[SpottyBunny]

That is super cool! I wish I had room for something like that. Looking forward to seeing the transformation.

[Author]

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