Rabbit shed advice?

[Lisaxjayne]

Hi! We currently have an indoor rabbit (Flo) and decided she definitely needs more space. we have purchased a 6x4ft shed, lino for the floor, mesh for the windows and door, and lots of new toys etc. We also want to get a 7ft run to attach to the shed with a catflap so she can come and go as she pleases. We want the run to be available to her at all times so obviously it has to be fully secure. Would an all metal run (with roof attached) be safe / sturdy enough or would we need a proper wooden one? Also instead of placing the run on slabs we would ideally like her to be able to dig around even a little bit. We were thinking of meshing over the entire bottom of the run and then covering it with bark / woodchips. Would this be ok for her feet?

[SeeShmemilyPlay]

I see no problem with a metal run besides maybe rusting over time, and I would just make sure whatever you use (bark/woodchips) is a kind of material that’s safe for buns to digest!

[Azerane]

Metal runs are secure which is good, they can’t be chewed out of. However not sure what you’re planning for the roof of the run but don’t make it metal, you’d be better off with a wooden or mesh roof. Wooden roofs are much better for temperature control, it will be cooler under one than under a metal roof which will get very hot underneath. Either that or a very secure mesh roof (strong enough to withstand cats, foxes etc jumping on top).

I’m not sure about wood chips. I’ve seen people use them, but I’d be concerned about the type of wood if Flo was inclined to chew them. If you did get bark chips, you’d want to make sure they were a natural colour, not dyed.

[Lisaxjayne]

Thanks for the advice! Have decided to spend a bit more money and get a 6ft wooden run (with a roof). I think we will avoid the woodchips just in case, and stick with paving slabs on the base of the run so she cant dig out. Thanks again going out today to buy some shelves to add levels to the shed, so excited to get it all set up!

[Azerane]

You can always add a plastic tub with sand or other plain garden soil as a digging box for her if you wanted he to have that option as well

[Lisaxjayne]

What a good idea! Thankyou!

[Vienna Blue in France]

A huuuuge tub – I have a BIG flower pot which I fill only a third with earth and they love it (if you put more earth in, it will fly everywhere !!)

Where are you ? If in UK there are of course foxes (and elsewhere other than UK of course) and they (and minks and goodness what other determined predator)are able to get in metal runs that are not fixed at the bottom, so although slabs are OK for the metal run to sit on, a fox would be able to lift it up and get his head under… and in he will be

So fixing down the entire base of the wooden run is paramount to her safety if she is using it without constant supevision, however heavy you think it is that a ‘little’ fox/mink wouldn’t be able to get under – oh yes he could…

I don’t think wooden chips are ideal, not comfy for paws I’d imagine and they will fly everywhere with Flo boinging about…

Not sure what to advise though….
Slabs inside the completely 360° sealed run…..?? (Hardly practical Vienna! )

I would absolutely close the run off at night and keep bun inside the shed overnight…. so making a cat flap that can be SECURELY shut at night should be on your plans

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