You can make it sturdier by using long wood dowels for support under shelves, the ones that are an inch thick i believe. If you want to downsize, a 2×4 isn’t bad at all If he thinks it is too small, you could always add another level to it to give him the space, or attach an exercise pen to the cage. My buns looove their pens

I use a sheet of linoleum tiling under Dustor’s pen which is 2 x 6′ but you can cut the linoleum any size. Very easy to clean and wipe up from with a 1/2 vinegar/1/2 water solution. If you use, though, I would tack it down to the surface or make sure it is weighed down completely to the surface so if it buckles, the bunny won’t nibble that part. Monkeybun, where in what posting can I find a pic of your setup (your pens)?  Always open to good new ideas where my housing for my bunnies are concerned.   Thanks. – Lashkay

By the way, if you decide to use linoleum, best to get some that is pebbled or otherwise textured, to help give your buns some traction and keep them from slipping sliding which they might on a smooth surface. Hope this helps.

If you have enough space, why don’t you use all the NIC grids to make a pen instead of a condo? You can provide other items (like boxes) for him to get up onto if he likes levels. So he’ll still have space, levels, and it would be easier to clean. It kinda sounds like condos are not really working for you.

Pens are great options if the condo isn’t working. I don’t have the skill/patience/time to mess around with NIC condos, so we just use xpens. Very easy to set up and clean, and you can make a pen using the materials you already have.

If you want to just reconfigure your condo, try going not so deep but longer… so instead of 3×4 (which must be hard to reach into to clean), try 6 long, 2 deep. You could easily reach in and clean the space if it’s only 2 grids deep. Have a door on each level for easier access. And definitely use wood dowels under each level for support. If you figure out what size coroplast you need for each level, they should be able to cut it down for you right there, making it easier to get in your car.

I use shelving brackets for the levels to make them sturdier. I buy them at the dollar store in packs of two, so they are real cheap
I am down to one NIC cage and two pens with NIC condos in them. I’ve built a lot of NIC cages, including for other people. Do you have a picture of yours? Maybe we can give you some tips on making it stronger and where/how?

Posted By NickiM on 07/28/2010 10:11 AM

Thank you so much for all the replies. I was thinking of moving him to a pen but he seems to enjoy his levels because he is always going on the top. Is it better to have more space width or length. I will see how it works out!

Do you mean is it better to have him in a square space, or in a rectangular space?  I don’t really think it matters whether you do 2×6 or 3×4, it just depends on what works best for you and your space and what is easier.