rearranged the NIC again hahahaha

[ADEE]

Ok, now that ive done it like 10xs… here is how it looks right now. I added a ramp to the second floor and she has used it a bit.. we did it for the EL, want to avoid her stepping on her ears as much as possible. Were debating adding a ramp to the third floor also, input on that idea is more then encouraged. When we had our first EL she was kept in a one story cage. I made some revisions on the cage compared to what ive seen online to try and maximize floor space for Rain while still leaving space to stand straight up… so here it i. For those of you with EL or otherwise long eared buns do you think its nessesary to use the ramps or will the force of them jumping move them out of the way? I wouldnt mind taking the ramp out if its useless. Sorry for the dark blurry spot on the bottom left side of the picture, my lens was dirty and i didnt notice until after i uploaded pics.

 

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi ADEE, you’ll definatelly want to cover that ramp with something like carpet to prevent nail snags, provide traction and please and make it less steep (it looks like it is at a sharp angle). Also to a bunny, they don’t like hopping on things that are not solid. Otherwise, it looks great!

[Beka27]

i really don’t think a ramp is necessary, at least not right now with just Rain. wait until the EL gets to you and see if she has trouble hopping floors. i don’t like ramps in general b/c i think it takes up valuable floor space, esp. when they can easily jump to the levels.

[ADEE]

Thanks so much for comments!! I think they are a waste of floor space too! Rain hadnt had a problem at all jumping levels so i might as well give her the extra space, although as you can see she has lots of it hahahaha. thanks again!

[TARM]

I L.O.V.E. that cage!  You wanna build one for me and ship it here?  lol 

[ADEE]

thanks tank&rangersmom, by the time you pay shipping hahahahaha… just kidding. honestly it was super easy to make and i have redone it at least 10 times. i love how many different things you can do with the NIC cages and how quickly you can do it. The initial setup took the longest, now for revisions it takes two minutes! Ive already removed the pictured ramp and moved rains toys around on her as well. She is one spoiled bun for sure!

[RabbitPam]

I never realized that they were comfortable hopping directly onto a level without using a ramp. Was frustrated with how much floor space became almost useless (except for napping) with a ramp set up.

So, how many inches from one level to the next is a bunny comfortable with hopping up to? There seemed to be a distinct difference in comfort level with only minor adjustments. I’d love to know the optimal scale. I’m sure I’ll get any more info. I need from the cage creating pages, just was curious about this one point. Thanks.

Rain looks pleased. EL stepping on her ears!!! I wondered about that too.

[Scarlet_Rose]

My two are pretty shy even though they are big bunnies at 8 pounds each and they will not jump up or down to the next level without a ramp or step. I made ramps at first and may switch to them when they are older but I switched to steps that I made and are about 5″ high. Rather than zippy-tying a NIC panel for a step I made some out of wood so ramps are not always necessary.

[ADEE]

Rabbitpam, we will see with time obviously how well the EL will take to a multilevel cage when she gets here. The jumping distance is about 12″ and Rain hasnt had a problem yet, as shes getting older it looks easier and easier infact. I dont plan on housing the EL with Rain at first anyway, I have started building her NIC cage until bonding takes place.

ScarletRose, thats a great idea to make ramps.. I dont mind Bekas comments, infact I look forward to her input. Ive found her very helpful so far on the forums I enjoy getting all view points on the subjects I post. I didnt think she was criticizing but then again we cant read tone via text.. thanks for your input Glad to see ramps work well for your buns’ I would love to see photos of yours

[Scarlet_Rose]

Glad to hear that Adee.

[ADEE]

I totally understand what works for one doesnt for another and i respect that totally! I learned that lesson fairly quickly when I became a mother for the first time. You listen to everything with a grain of salt and take what you like/agree with and leave the rest as long as no one and nothing is getting hurt its A-ok in my book

[JK]

Looks great!  I also don’t think you need the ramp.  Rabbits can jump a few feet!  I have a ramp attached to edson’s cottontail cottage and he rarely uses it.  He just leaps out the 2nd story window!

[ADEE]

lol knowltons!!! that would give me a heart attack!!!

[GrammyB]

Is it hard to clean the floor W/the shelf in the way? Or do you pick up the whole cage & move it?

I don’t know about EL’s, but our buns jump 14in. between levels no prob. I hear it’s good for them.

[ADEE]

ive had no problems cleaning it actually. Thankfully Rain is very well litter trained and hasnt (knock on wood) peed on the floor much. When I do clean I take the litterbox out and vacuum/mop under there.. ive moved the cage a few times to change things up a little bit but it was no problem because its all tile i just slide it across the floor the cage/bunny is actually easier then anything and any other animal ive ever had!!! I vacuum once a day to pick up stray poo pellets but even that is minimal (maybe 10 a day) when the box is fresh and clean hope tha thelps

[BinkyBunny]

Some bunnies, like my bunny Jack, needed a ramp first, and then once he was comfortable with all the levels he no longer needed it.

I think that if they end up being fine without ramps that just makes for more play and lounge space. But the best way to tell if they are ramp lovers or not, is to just take out the ramp, and then see how your bunnies like it. Add treats to entice them to other levels and just wait for a few days. If they refuse to venture up after a few days then add the ramp back in, but if you do end up having ramps, then I too feel that they should be covered with something as those grids are wide enough for a foot to slip through and get caught in while jumping up and down. So best to cover it with something like a rug remnant, a faux sheepskin or soft padding. With the softer material, you can cut a little slit in the sides and just fasten it to the grid with zipties. Just be sure your bunny doesn’t end up chewing the material.

OH, and great condo by the way.  I’d love to show it off in the cool habitats section!   Let me know if that’s okay.

[ADEE]

Thats fine by me!! Thanks for the compliment on it.. i got most of the plan ideas from that section

[ADEE]

Thanks Beka for the info you posted..

she may or may not need the ramps and truly only time will tell us that. In the meantime as Beka posted were trying to get as prepared as possible. I will remake ramps with covers that will be better suited for both buns thanks again so much everyone! I love this group!!!!

[Beka27]

i wonder if you could make a better ramp out of a piece of lightweight plywood with indoor/outdoor carpet scraps wrapped around and stapled to it. maybe 8 inches wide instead of the 14 inch wide NIC grid? how would you attach it tho? could you screw some “hookie” things into the top and secure it to the level? definitely think about what you can do to make it sturdy so you have some ideas should you need them…

[GrammyB]

That’s what I was thinking. A 14in. ramp is wider than needed. I would drill holes in it & ziptie.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Thanks Beka for the clarification.  Sorry about the misinterpretation.   I was very tired, bleary-eyed and worn out so next time I am feeling so out of it, I will be much more careful.   I totally agree that not all rabbits need the ramps and the cage should be tested without them first and then try a step to see if it helps. 

[Beka27]

 Scarlet.

can you please elaborate on this “step” you speak of?  i have a hard time imagining how this is done or what is used.  i’m thinking of something like a box that they can jump on, but wouldn’t that just get shoved around every which way?  do you have pics of what you’ve used, or can you describe it in more detail?  is it wood?  is it attached to the cage somehow or free-standing?

[TARM]

That ramp looks kind of steep to me…can a rabbit use a steep ramp?

[ADEE]

all the ramps ive seen on various cages are pretty steep.. Rain hadnt had a problem really using it, she just prefers to jump though.

[Author]

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