Good cage for the summer?

[Cocoa]

So I have two bunnies, Lily and Cocoa, who live outside. Please, no complaints about them living outside. I have a hutch where one bunny is staying, and the other is staying in a plastic dog crate. There isn’t very good air flow through the dog crate. Soon it will be too hot in there for her. I need to find a good outdoor cage that doesn’t take up very much space. I cant get another hutch. I want something like a two story c&c cage, but safe from predators outside. But it has to be kind of small. My budget is $70 but the less expensive, the better. Does anyone have suggestions for a cage? This will just be until they are bonded. Thank you all so much

[MountainBuns]

Ooh I really want to say something about them staying outside. Is it a dog crate like this?

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-fold-carry-single-door-dog/dp/116528

[Cocoa]

No its a plastic one with closed sides. This crate was better during winter and when it was raining a lot because it offered more protection.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-plastic-kennel-almond-black/dp/147321

It is similar to this, except mine is bigger

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Cocoa on 4/06/2018 3:52 PM
No its a plastic one with closed sides. This crate was better during winter and when it was raining a lot because it offered more protection.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-plastic-kennel-almond-black/dp/147321

It is similar to this, except mine is bigger

Erm, how much bigger is your ‘crate’ than the one you linked? Because that isn’t a crate, it’s a carrier that should be used purely for travel…

If you’re buying a new outdoor enclosure, it should not be ‘kind of small’ It needs to be large enough that bun can run and binky. Anything smaller is unacceptable.

[Cocoa]

I know that one in the link is small, that was just an example of the design. Mine is a lot bigger. Not sure about the size, just know its a lot bigger. This was the crate we used with our 60-70 pound dog. I just mean it cant take up the whole patio when i said kind of small. I will probably attach the cage to an x pen. During the day she would have the x pen but at night I would put them in their cage and I will buy a proper cover.

[Rain]

How long does she stay in that crate a day? That is still way to small to be keeping a rabbit in for longer than a car trip to the vets. I agree with Sarah about that. If she can’t run around and binky in it, it’s not a good cage. If you buy an xpen, it has to be covered on the top or predators could possibly get in and harm the buns. How hot does it get in your area during the summer? If it’s hotter than 70 degrees, that’s really not a good idea. They would have a high risk for dehydration and heat stroke. You could still keep them outside, but you’d need an air conditoner system, which is pricey sometimes.
Really, any decent cage for two average sized buns would be pretty big.

[Cocoa]

This is just a temporary cage for one bunny. She gets 4+ hours out of her cage a day. I would like to do more but I have school and they arent bonded so I spend 4 hours with each bunny. And then there is 2 hours during school where they can be in separate x pens but I can’t play with them during that time. During the time I play with the bunny in the hutch, the bunny in the dog crate is in the x pen. I switch cages everyday. I have a plan worked out with my parents for a fan to be set up. I’m not really sure about the temperature in the summer. But I will be outside every 30 minutes checking on them and replacing frozen water bottles. But what is a good cage for this that doesn’t take up too much space and isn’t too expensive

[Cocoa]

This is just a temporary cage for one bunny. She gets 4+ hours out of her cage a day. I would like to do more but I have school and they arent bonded so I spend 4 hours with each bunny. And then there is 2 hours during school where they can be in separate x pens but I can’t play with them during that time. During the time I play with the bunny in the hutch, the bunny in the dog crate is in the x pen. I switch cages everyday. I have a plan worked out with my parents for a fan to be set up. I’m not really sure about the temperature in the summer. But I will be outside every 30 minutes checking on them and replacing frozen water bottles. But what is a good cage for this that doesn’t take up too much space and isn’t too expensive

[MountainBuns]

Maybe you should get one of the crates I recommended on that website. Also those cages restrict the bunny from looking around and exploring, I dont think they are very big as well. 

[Cocoa]

Can you link a good one on that website? I know the current cage isn’t big enough which is one reason I want a different cage until they are bonded

[MountainBuns]

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-fold-carry-double-door-dog/dp/116521

Im not sure the actual size she will need, I use a smaller one for only travel and as a little place for my bunny to relax. 

[Rain]

If you go on Amazon, there’s this amazing cage that I’m planning to buy called the Living World Deluxe habitat. It’s big but not so big that it’ll take up the entire backyard area. The only issue with it is that it’s expensive, and over 70$. Would your parents be willing to help out a little bit with that? It’s big enough for a rabbit that stays in a cage during school hours and the night, as mine does. It also is well protected against outdoor animals and comfortable.

[Cocoa]

My parents won’t help with the cost and I can’t spend more than $70 because it’s a temporary cage and not permenant. What if I attach the dog crate to and x pen with a proper cover? At night they would be in the dog crate but during the day they could go in the pen. Can someone please post a link to a good cover?

[sarahthegemini]

Do you have plans in case the two don’t bond? Because you’ll need to ensure they both have adequate housing. I think it would make more sense to spend a bit extra now and buy something that would work long term if you’re unable to bond. Otherwise you’ll have to spend more money further down to upgrade the ‘temporary’ housing if things don’t work out.

[Rain]

That’s an excellent point. You could end up wasting a lot of money which would be very unfortunate. If you have two good cages now, you won’t have to change them later. Is there a reason your parents won’t help? Although my parents have said that I must be responsibile for everything that my rabbit needs, they still help me whenever it comes to the important things, like vet care and housing. Could you save up money and then pay them back later? Or explain to them this situation and the needs of your rabbits?

[Cocoa]

I’m bonding them so this isn’t a permenant housing. That’s why I can’t go over $70. I won’t use it for very long and then I’ll sell it but I won’t get very much probably. I don’t want to go over $50 if I can because of this. My parents think that this cage is fine and that she doesn’t need a bigger cage since it’s just temporary.

[Cocoa]

If it doesn’t work out then my parents would be fine helping me buy a new cage but they won’t let me now

[sarahthegemini]

And what if bonding takes months and months? That would mean inadequate housing for far too long.

[Rain]

Yes most bonding processes take at least a month.
I don’t think there are any alright cages that are less than sixty to seventy dollars. Those are usually the lowest. You already have an xpen, you just need a way to cover it without it feeling uncomfortable for the bun.
How much longer is it till you will start the bonding process? Could you keep her in the xpen inside the house for just a little bit until you can get the new cage for both buns?
It’s good that your parents are helpful when they need to be.

[Rain]

I have an idea! What if you could get a mesh tarp and tightly secure it over the xpen? I found a bunch online for twenty dollars. You could get multiple if needed, sew them or tie them together, and then place it over the pen. If it’s tight enough, hopefully flying predators can’t use their beaks or claws to tear into it. I think it’s a firm material too.

[Rain]

http://www.tarpsplus.com/black-mesh-tarp-6×8-single.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2KHWBRC2ARIsAJD_r3dNGW9gjqYPpeuuCZmJ4WOV6v83YnuSsiNK7YRxcnnWaxFe7aBEWmcaAueyEALw_wcB

Here’s the link

[Cocoa]

My parents wont let them inside at all and we are selling the house so it has to be totally clean. I could do that but it would have to be in the grass. I could connect the dog crate and have litterbox, food, and water inside that. Then at night I would put her in the dog crate so she’s safe. I’m actually not planning on buying a new cage, just expanding the current one. I would attach a ramp and set up an x pen with a cover like you suggested. At night they would go back in the hutch but first thing in the morning i would let them out. Probably just a few more days to a week until I can start. When it comes to vet bills, I can borrow money from them if I don’t have enough but i have to pay it back as soon as i can. Thanks Rain! I love that idea

[Rain]

I think having that setup for a week is fine. It’ll be alright! Do you think when you all move to your new area that your parents will let them be inside? Hopefully! I think this is fine though. Your dog crate is like a cage, but just in plastic instead of bars, which is okay for the timebeing. Good luck with the bonding!

[Cocoa]

I’m confused as to what you mean by having that setup for a week is fine? They don’t want them inside at the new house either. There are holes where she can stand up and see out

[Author]

Messages