Building a Hutch

[Mars714]

Hello! As of yet, I have no housing for a bunny. I want to be 100% ready before I get one, which is why I came for advice. I have read up on the general care, and owned small animals in the past, but for my new bunny, I wanted to build an outdoor hutch for daytime exercise, in addition to his indoor cage. I have a design, but I want to know, what type of wood is recommended? Is there one I should avoid? (cedar is bad right?) Also, I’m an artist, so I wanted to paint the hutch with a nice patten. What paints are okay? Should I sand it afterword, or put some sort of seal over the paint? Finally, I was thinking of making it 50″ by 50″ in a L shape, with a platform for a second floor. (I have some sketches, I can scan and upload them if necessary) Is this a good size? (I’m planning to get a small breed) How tall should it be? 

Thank you all in advance! 

[LBJ10]

I changed your text color to black. Sorry, I was squinting trying to read it.

So this is more like an outdoor run rather than a traditional hutch? Will your bunny be supervised while in there? Some people just get a pen to put their buns in so they can get fresh air. But they are supervised at all times (don’t want an animal or bird to get them).

[Mars714]

I was thinking of building a fence around it, so he could potentially be left out side for a some time. (Never while I’m out or over night of course) but the design I have in mind is gives off more of a dog house look. But nothing has been built yet, so there is time to redesign. The outdoor idea was my mothers, she wanted it to be outside full time at first. I had to explain that isn’t a good idea for a house bunny. Potentially, there will be times when the bunny is supervised, and times when it is not.

[LBJ10]

I know some people have an outdoor play are/run for their bunnies, but it still makes me nervous. You would have to make sure that it’s really secure. Like someone had a run that had a frame and was fenced in on all sides (including the top) and there was no way bunny could dig out. Even then, I would feel funny about leaving them outside unattended. But that is me. If the enclosure is really secure and they aren’t in there overnight, then I’m sure the risk of something happening would be minimized.

[Paradigm]

My vet advised me not to expose Roger it extreme temperature changes, and told us not to board him outside if he was an indoor bunny. That said, I’ve seen people let their bunnies play in the snow.

[Mars714]

We live in a very mild tempered part of central California, I would never leave my future bunny out in the rain, or on an abnormally hot day. Our town also seems to have a feral rabbit population, not that that has any contribution to the tolerance of a house bunny. (or that they could get into my yard, I’ve never seen one) Although, I might be getting a rescue, but I still don’t think I should take any chances and treat it carefully. Like I said before, I’d only leave him outside on days I can check on him, and when the weather is good. Never over night, never while I’m out.

Also, I have gotten a few suggestions for types of wood from other sources, one person said Poplar, but my step dad, who is helping build it, said that is very expensive and suggests Hemfir. I am willing to pay more for better wood if necessary, but i just really want to make it safe for mr bunny. I have heard not to use any seals and to only paint the outside as bunny will chew the inside.

I also suppose I should mention, I have a family friend who owns a bunny who lives mostly outside. He started as a house bunny, but they found out she was allergic to him. So they made him a very cozy large gated area for him to live in. I haven’t visited them in a while, but last time I did the only possible hazard was the bunny burrowing. He wasn’t trying to escape, he just wanted a burrow it seams. I will probably take precautions for my bunny so he won’t burrow.

[Megabunny]

I’d suggest simply using pine. Just be prepared that the rabbit will chew on the nice fresh wood, but that’s good for their teeth and boredom and bunny may get bored and not do it for long.
I think as long as you’re painting on the flat surface and not right up to the edge where bunny might chew, you’ll be fine. There is a DIY Forum with all kinds of guys that know all that weird stuff, like what stain is safe, or how soon it’s safe…

Have fun!

[LBJ10]

Poplar is considered safe. It’s probably cheaper than some of the other safe woods out there. Not sure about the other one you mentioned.

If your bunny is outside for fresh air you will need to think about things like fleas and such. If there are feral domesticated rabbits, you want to make sure they can’t come into contact with your bun. You wouldn’t want him or her to catch something.

[Mars714]

Thank you all for your advice, and don’t worry about feral bunnys, the location I’m building this is in my back yard, which is sealed off, of course there will also be measures to seal off the hutch, but the only animal I’ve seen get into my back yard is a late night cat. (I don’t plain to leave it out over night ever)

I will not hesitate to post another thread here if I need any more help, but for now, I think I have everything I need to build this hutch. (I have been asking around town, -I kinda live in farm town- as well as other web sources too)

Thanks again!

[Author]

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