Escape from a Crate?

[diggityd77]

Hello – We will be getting a mini Rex in about 3 weeks (gift from my mother to my daughter) and I want to make sure I have a correct setup for this beautiful new bunny.  I have been researching and reading about indoor habitats – both on this forum and other information rabbit sites and still have some questions.  

First – the set up will be in my enclosed back porch for three seasons, and I have room to put an x-pen around the habitat (whatever is chosen) so it gets exercise while we are at home.  Both my husband and I work during the day, so bunny will be in its cage during the day then let out in the x-pen for as long as it needs when we get home until it is bedtime.  So I want to ensure that the bunny will have enough space during the day in whatever cage we have it in (hutch or crate).

Indoor hutches – while they look attractive I do not believe it will provide the bunny enough room for the time it is spent during the day.  I have a XL dog crate with two doors that I would like to use – saves on money and I believe provides more space for the bunny during the day.  I can also put a litter pan inside the cage.  BUT, my mother says that the cage “needs” to be off floor so it can be easily seen (which I disagree with) and that the bunny will slip through the cage grid/slots b/c it will be small.

Is this true? Anyone who has used a XL Dog crate experienced their rabbit slipping through the crate?  Again, I will have an x pen around the crate as well.  Also, would you put a sheet/towel around the outside of the cage to give it more privacy and a secure feeling?

I want to make sure I set up the best possible habitat for the bunny with the space we have.  Thanks in advance

[Azerane]

Hello there. You are correct in thinking that most indoor hutches simply do not provide enough space. Is your porch well sheltered from rain and wind? If it can get quite breezy, I would suggest an outdoor hutch or chicken coop style hutch instead of a dog crate for outdoors. It’s much more protected from wind and safer if you have things such as raccoons or foxes coming up to investigate. In terms of rabbits slipping through dog crate bars, there is no doubt in my mind that a young rabbit (assuming you are getting a baby about 8 or 9 weeks of age) could easily slip through the bars of a dog crate. Check out this short video of a tiny bunny slipping through an even tinier hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlXi4qIxROI

I don’t think the cage needs to be off the floor, I actually believe it’s better on the floor so that when you let bunny out into the playpen, he/she can come and go from the cage on their own without having to be picked up and brought out/put back in. Also ensure that your x pen is very tall, some rabbits can easily jump or climb over standard size and even tall x pens.

[diggityd77]

Thank you for your feedback. Yes, my porch is enclosed – so sheltered from wind and rain – it’s a living space and no wild animals at all come near or would ever get in; when the temp drops we’ll bring the bunny in the house. I was thinking I could put mesh on the sides of the crate until the bunny gets older/bigger (?).

[Azerane]

That sounds perfect then

A smaller mesh on the sides of the crate would certainly prevent escape attempts and can easily be removed once your bunny is big enough to not be able to squeeze through or get their head stuck

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