DIY bunny condo with plans to bond later?

[mango]

Hi everyone,

I wasn’t sure whether to put this in the Habitat or Bonding section. It’s a bit of both.

I’m preparing my home for my bun, who I’ll be getting in Sept or Oct. I intend to remove the big sliding double doors off my closet and build in one of those NIC condos. The closet will get lots of natural light in the day but no direct sunlight. It is about 2′ deep x 10′ long (my estimates might be off, will confirm when I get home), and I could potentially build up to 3 levels tall with lots of room for my bun to stand up on each level. I intend for him to be partially free roaming in my bedroom.

If all goes well for both of us, I intend to try to bond him within 1-2 years later. So my question is: how should I build his condo now to plan for bonding later? Should I build 3 levels but only give him access to 2 levels so I can reserve space for the 2nd bun on the 3rd level, during the bonding process? Then I can eventually give both buns access to all 3 levels after they’re bonded. That way, both buns’ space gets gradually expanded during this process, rather than the first bun’s space being suddenly reduced or invaded.

Problem is, during downtime, they wouldn’t really see each other through the levels in order to get used to each other’s presence, though they could of course sense each other by sound and smell, and I could still periodically switch litterboxes, etc. I don’t have a lot of space in my home to house 2 buns completely separately for a long period of time. I intend for the neutral space portion of the introduction to be a shelter/rescue org, car (occasionally), and playpen in my living room (where my first bun will never have been before this).

I’ve been reading up a lot on the bonding process, but still trying to wrap my head around how all this will work.

Many thanks!

[tanlover14]

Mango,

Could you post a picture of the closet you are going to use?? I think it will be better to get an idea of what exactly you have to work with and go from there. I worry a little bit about a closet 24/7. With not a lot of air flow. Will they have access outside the closet as well for some periods of time?

In the meantime, another idea would be splitting the closet down the middle rather than 1 on top & 1 on the bottom. They could see each other and be more used to the others scent. Another thing you can do, btw. Switch them between the different pens to help get them used to the other bunnies scent being in their area.

[mango]

Thanks for your reply.

I totally understand the concerns about a “closet”. The very word conjures a dark, dusty, suffocating, claustrophic feeling.

My condo is currently rented to a tenant but I’ll be moving back in permanently this Sept. I can post pics then.

In the meantime, maybe this description can paint a better picture: It is the longest measurement (10′?) which has the double doors. So it will essentially be a 2′ deep alcove with a 10′ long open side after the doors are removed. Very bright and airy. The whole room is very bright & clean with floor to ceiling windows (approx 10′ x 10′). Hope that makes sense?

They will be free-roaming in my bunny-proofed bedroom. First under supervision & accompanied by appropriate training, in mornings/evenings only, starting with a few hrs/day and gradually extending. Then when I’m confident they are well-behaved, hopefully also 24/7. They will eventually also have access to the rest of the condo under supervision only for several hours per day.

I never even thought of dividing the closet down the middle rather than top & bottom. *facepalm* That could work great!

[Elliriyanna]

Just divide it in half. Give him 2’x5′ , Which will leave the other half free for storage for now and you can use that space later when the new bun moves in Its basically what I did with my boys. Of course I wasn’t planning to wait 1-2 years but that could make it that much more important that he doesn’t get use to the whole space and then have to downsize. Its plenty of room especially if he will be getting out time.

[tanlover14]

That does make sense! And sounds fine especially if he is getting out time to run around. Sounds like it will be a great set-up!

I would say — take a peek around here:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/GreatHabitats/tabid/229/Default.aspx

There are lots of GREAT habitats people have created that BB has shared. Once you get an idea of the TYPE, I would say we can definitely help throw around some ideas. There are so many directions you can go. NIC cubes are perfect for creating a condo — but others prefer different options like wood (I’m not that handy!). I would definitely look at that link and then come back with what you would prefer it to be constructed like!

[mango]

Oh definitely, some of those condos are awesome! That’s where I got the idea. I would just buy the largest one from Leith Petwerks, except I need custom dimensions for my space.

Are 2″ holes in NIC grids too large? I know 1.5″ and maybe even 1.75″ is ok, while 3″ is not safe. Not sure about 2″.

He is coming from a breeder where he’ll have spent the first 3 months of his life outdoors. Do you guys think I should mimic some aspects of my bun’s original outdoor hutch style to make his transition to our indoor home easier on him?

It looks like this: Hardwood shelves/ledges (no pine, cedar, softwood). I could have a large lip/rim to keep messes inside. One end has a built-in screen floor with hay rack, pellets & water dishes placed on it, so while he eats, his urine & droppings go through to a removable tray below. I know the wire can be an issue with sore hocks but this is only a small area, not the whole cage, and I can choose a better grid similar to a sifting cat litterbox that will be less bothersome to his feet.

The only change I would like to make is applying a layer of vinyl flooring and then carpet tiles (tight weave/low pile) over top of the hardwood.
– Hardwood creates a firm stable shelf (I don’t trust the long-term stability of, for example, C&C shelves)
– Vinyl flooring prevents any pee accidents from soaking into the wood & smelling bad & destroying it (costly, inconvenient to replace the entire wood shelf)
– Carpet tiles add traction, can be cleaned with vinegar in case of pee accidents, and if/when it gets too smelly, I can simply rip out the offending tile & replace it.

I would make sure he can’t get his teeth around the edges of the carpet or vinyl to chew or tear it up.

Anything objectionable or otherwise not advisable about this plan?

[mango]

Hmm… Thinking about this a bit more…

I don’t think I’ll do the built-in grid floor & tray (like his hutch with the breeder) for his litterbox. Sure, it would look awesome. But if he decides he doesn’t like it and prefers to use the other side of his condo for his litterbox, that would suck. Lol!

Maybe I’ll just go with something simple like the litterbox & screen sold here on BB. That way, I can easily move it or try a different style of litterbox without much financial loss or effort.

[Author]

Messages