Dream Pen :D

[Wasabi]

I saw someone using a program called “Sketchup” and went to town with it >.>

I’m super detailed oriented so I can’t just do “simple” plans LOL. This program let me go ALL OUT so it’s awesome

It’s 4′ tall, 3′ wide, and 7′ long. It’s got three levels. The bottom floor has a combination of a 4″ plywood wall, and than the rest is plexi glass in an attempt to keep the mess in >.>;; The back is all plywood, seeing as I didn’t see the point of it being wire if it was going to be up against the wall. All the lines that are that bright blue are doors that can open. The top compeletly opens up so I can step inside without having to hunch over, and you can remove the top off of the wooden box at the top for cleaning convience as well. The door on the front opens like a normal door, and than there’s a tiny door below that falls open so bunnies can come and go but the huge door can remained closed still ;D I left the floor level open enough for binky friendly area and somewhere for me to sit inside with them

The second and third levels have removable railings as I’m paranoid of falling rabbits >.> The little 2’x3′ extension on the right has a slide out wall so it can be blocked off from the big pen for reasons like medical problems or bonding new rabbits to the group. The top also opens up for easier cleaning. Under the second level on the left side is room for storage things, like my feed container that rolls around on wheels If nothing fits under there it can easily be modified back into the cage.

All the exposed edges will get corner protectors. I dislike chewing >.>;;

Showing this side off so you can see the back “tunnel”
In the picture above you can sorta see the back enterance into the hidey box.

And here’s the top so you can see the top level better, along with all the opening tops >>

Now if only I have the resources to build it D: WAH. I need a pick up to even get it all home LOL.
I need to make carpentar-friends that like payments with beer >.>

[Beka27]

WOW! That is very creative… your drawing is so detailed and pretty!!!

I also do not have carpenter friends, and I’m crafty… but not THAT CRAFTY! I’ll have to stick with my xpens… lol!

Let us know if this “dream pen” ever comes to fruition.

There really is so much to take into consideration when thinking about housing…

It has to be functional, easy to clean, durable against bunnies, provide them with enough space and stimulation….

It has to be of good quality and construction, and should look just as good in a year as it did the first week.

And this doesn’t even bring up how it fits into your home.  A big huge rabbit habitat is never going to really “fit your decor” but hopefully it can be incorporated in so it isn’t a big eyesore.  Interior decorating for bunnies!

[Wasabi]

^Lol Thanks I actually wouldn’t mind just building a pen out of NICs and xpens but those just seem so temp. looking to me, but on the plus side you can customize them whenever! My boyfriend won’t let me build a pen in any of our living areas (we have two living rooms) because he thinks NICs are tacky. So the only way it’d work is if it isn’t an eye sore and I don’t think the design I came up is too bad. He enjoyed watching me build it on the computer LOL.

I can’t decide if I should stain the wood or paint it >.> I kinda want to paint it white so it’s not “so dark” so I can see them while they’re in there. Light tends to reflect off of light color objects, and if I stainded that cherry-red color than the areas that are covered by levels will be dark and harder to see bunnies. Almost makes me want to go back and edit it a bit so that there’s a few areas where a lightbulb or something is stuck in LOL. But whatever colors I choose will of course be critter safe.

If I get around to making it I also need to figure out how to make it so it’s easy to take a part and easy to put back together. The size I have it will make it awkward to move from room to room, so if I ever needed to move it it’s going to have to be broken down first. Like at most I just need to break it down to chunks, and have them sync back up like an interlocking puzzle so I don’t have to worry about stripped holes from wood screws being pulled in and out. But even then I need it sturdy because I do want it to last for the average bunny life span, and making it easy to take apart might take away stableness.

The levels need some kind of surface that wouldn’t make them slide around, as I have several rabbits who dislike slip surfaces.
I don’t think carpet would work because they’d eventually make a mess with it, but then agian I can always buy more of it on clearance somewhere. Just want repair maintenece to be little as possible.

I was going to make it so I could move the levels around and put them anywhere, but that became more difficult that I thought it would due to the bunnies needing enough room to jump up and down between levels and not fall to their deaths >.>

My only problem is I hope that I DON’T grow bored with it LOL. I’m so picky that what works now might not work later LOL.

[Barbie]

Wow! That looks so cool! Good luck with that!!

As for painting it white vs staining it…. keep in mind sometimes bunnies miss the litter box… and white would show stains worse than a dark wood Also, you have to be careful with the chemicals you use around bunnies… even if theyre not chewing on the sides, paint can give off oders that can be harmful for their lungs, or they might lick the walls which would mean theyd be ingesting a bit of whatever is on the wood.

[boogercj]

That’s awesome! I actually posted a sketchup design for a new bunny complex on here a few days ago. Just about to update it, but I think you’ve rasied the bar somewhat with that design!! Superb!

 

Now, go buy yourself a workbench, saw and some sandpaper and get building!! . As for painting/staining we have a product here in Blighty called “Cuprinol Garden Shades” that is advertised as being harmless to plants and pets so there must be an equivalent or the same thing where you are

 

[Beka27]

I have to agree that white might not be the way to go… I understand your thoughts about having something light…
but with all the time and expense of building it, you want to make sure it’s still going to look clean and nice later on down the line!

[Monkeybun]

You could maybe use a lighter colored wood, with a clear coat on it to protect it and make it easy to clean off… and the light wood would make it not so…well, dark

[Lintini]

Lol you should see my sheet cover on Indy’s cage if you want to see tacky…and the paper clamps that hold it down! That’s a wonderful cage, I really hope you can get it built. I’m talking Mikebun into crafting me something nicer for Indy. *cough cough cough Mikebun* Well I did give him permission to make his Jack one first :p Poo! What pair are you going to put in there? They will love it!

[Lunar~Atticus]

omg that is amazing!! when you are done building yours, id like to put my order in!!! lol

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