Cage Concern.

[BunnyRabbitMania]

Today we bought 3 sets of NIC Grids. After opening, I noticed that the set only comes with 8 1 inch grids and 12 3 inch grids. Our original plan was to make the cage 4 length, 3 width, and 3 height, but we don’t want to use those 3 inch grids for building the cage because of safety concerns. Since we just spent $85 on 3 sets of grids, zip ties, and tile we are wondering if making the cage 3 length, 2 width, and 3 height is possible and big enough for 2 small-medium rabbits. (We are planning on adding a full covering second level with a cut made for a ramp.) We are starting with 1 rabbit and were thinking of getting a second to bond down the road, but now we’re just thinking about getting one and having just one. What do you guys think on this? 

Is the cage big enough for 2 rabbits?

Is the cage big enough for 1 rabbit? 

Is 1 rabbit a good idea? Will he/she get lonely? 

Please watch the other posts before posting. We can’t exactly return because we build and tied half the cage and that would be a waste of ties and time! We did get another box of grids to finish the cage. The cage is going to have 2 levels… I’ll try to find the square footage for you guys, but is the cage big enough for one rabbit?

[Megabunny]

Duh. It’s Saturday. My brain can’t absorb all that. There’s nothing wrong with just having one bunny, and it’s not a given a second one would bond anyway, but it sounds like they usually do. Mine have been good about it.
Never heard of assorted varieties of size in the cubes. I wonder if the 3″ would be OK for the sides???

[Tessie]

What are the dimensions of one square?

[Tessie]

The minimum amount of space for one bunny is 4ft by 2ft, but it depends on the size of the bun, so would it meet those requirements?

[BunnyRabbitMania]

@Tessie

The grids are 14 inches by 14 inches. This would be with a full second level. I said it would be a Small-Medium sized bunny so he/she would be maximum of 6 lbs

[Beka27]

Can you just return the boxes to the store and get ones that are all the 1-inch openings? Even already opened, explain that they are the wrong ones and they should take them back no problem. (ASK ME HOW I KNOW THIS! LOL!)

Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart (I believe) carry the ones with all smaller openings. They may be available at other big box stores as well. The ones I bought before with different sizes are from Target, and as I said… They took them back no problem.

You will want extra grids anyways for bunny-proofing around the house.

[Beka27]

Actually, the smaller openings are 1.5 inches, not 1… But you know what I mean…. 😉

[LBJ10]

Yes, I would try taking them back to the store and getting different ones. Different stores have different kinds.

[Beka27]

Another option is an xpen. You could return the supplies you purchased and get an xpen for the same price (or less) and all you would have to do is unfold it. They are usually easier to clean as well.

[BunnyRabbitMania]

We already opened all of them and started building. Is this big enough for 1 bunny or not? We have the small grids we need.

[Tessie]

If each square is 14 inches and you plan on doing it 3 by 2 then that would make the cage floor space 3.5ft by 2.4ft so this would not be quite big enough.

However, if there’s two levels then I suppose that would add space, so it probably would meet the 4ft by 2ft requirements.

I would bear in mind though that the 2ft by 4ft requirement really is a minimum, so only for a small bunny, and I would consider some of the options suggested by the others too.

[Eepster]

You got them from Target, right? I’d try taking it apart boxing them back up and returning them. Even if you can manage to make a large enough condo with the usable ones, paying for the unusable one is a waste of your bunny supply budget.

[BunnyRabbitMania]

I really don’t think that the cage is “To small” I mean, it is 28″ X 42″ times 2! I think that’s enough for one bunny don’t you? That’s 2 levels. Not just a bottom level and half a level like many people do, it’s a full covered level with a small opening.

[Tessie]

I think we’ve all tried our best to help answer your question.

Yes, it is just about big enough. But I think what we’re saying is that you would save money and get a better cage if you took them back and exchanged them for what you originally wanted, or even considered something like an x-pen.

[Beka27]

Also keep the height requirements in mind. At least one of the levels will have to be two grids high. The rabbit has to be able to stand upright on his hind legs and unless you get a very tiny dwarf, 14 inch height per level won’t be tall enough. Maybe you included that in your count already, but you would need 36 grids for the walls and roof.

[MoveDiagonally]

The min. NIC condo for a single rabbit would be a single level 3 grids X 2 grids X 2 grids high. Here’s a visual representation of that. 

It comes out to about 8.1 sq ft. 

[Beka27]

Great pic, MD!

[Author]

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