Roofing for an Indoor Pen

[Patrick Murtha]

 My 5-month-old male Lionhead, Benjamin, graduated 6 weeks ago from his large cage and has been living happily in a hexagonal metal pen ever since. He gets lots of “floor time” to explore the whole apartment when I am at home, but lately he has discovered that he can scale the 2-foot sides of his pen, and so for the past couple of days I have had to keep a stiff electric blanket (unplugged, of course!) on top of the pen to prevent his escape.

My question is, what sort of roofing has worked for members of this forum who have faced similar situations? I want it to be reasonably light and easily removable for access, but at the same time stiff enough to stay in place and discourage Ben from trying to exit. Would a medium plastic sheet cut to the proper size work? 

A month from now, Benjamin will be neutered. I would consider keeping the pen open and letting him be a free-roaming rabbit at that time, except that I have a wire problem and he has demonstrated a tendency to chew them. He is perfect about peeing in his litter pan, so that’s not a problem. Right now, too, although he and my female cat are demonstrably fond of each other — she grooms his nose through the bars of the pen, and he loves it — when they are on the floor together he is a little (sexually?) aggressive with her. Presumably that behavior will dissipate somewhat after he has had his surgery. 

Thank you all for your thoughts!

[mrmac]

What about a bed sheet clipped to the top?

[Patrick Murtha]

 That is possible! I was wondering about the plastic sheet, however, because it would be so easy to lift off and put back. Also, it would afford complete visibility, which a sheet or blanket does not.

[Deleted User]

I have used a sheer curtain material which allowed airflow and light to get in. But it did prevet complete visibility. You can get fabric nets for this purpose too. You’d want a very fine mesh though so the rabbit can never tangle in case he tried a crazy stunt.

[Otti]

A bedsheet, sheet of plastic, fine mesh fabric would all work, cut to the right size so they don’t cover the sides of the pen and fastened to the top with small binder clips or other clips.

if using plastic I’d just make sure that your bunny isn’t going to climb to the plastic cover and chew it, and either swallow pieces of it or potentially get out.

[Otti]

Is he jumping over the pen or actually climbing over. If he’s jumping, you could also think of switching to a taller pen, like a 36 or 48 inch one

[jerseygirl]

 

Often all it takes is a visual deterrent. Currently when I have my rabbits outdoors in a pen I use an old net curtain and they never attempt to jump pen sides. The only tip can add it make sure what ever you use goes all the way across. I once pegged a sheet across just one corner of a pen and my rabbit decided it would make a nice hammock. And route to escape!

Welcome to you and Benjamin!

 

[Patrick Murtha]

Thanks for all the ideas! I am going to look at plastic sheets today and tomorrow, but all the concepts are worth considering. The binder clips are a good idea for attaching a soft top to the pen.

In response to the last question: He is climbing out of the pen, rather than vaulting over. He seems rather proud of his new skill! Well, I would be, too. When he gets out, he comes right over to see me and “hang out.” He likes being free to claim the whole apartment and to interact with me and the cat. It’s kind of touching, actually, but I don’t want him to chew wires or to drive the poor cat crazy with his attentions when I’m not at home.

I just invested in Benjamin’s pen a month ago and I would like to make it work if I can. I purchased it through my vet here in Korea (I teach adult ESL in the city of Changwon). To get a pen with taller sides, I might have to order one from abroad.

[Patrick Murtha]

Thanks, jerseygirl! We were writing our posts simultaneously. I am making sure to cover the entire pen with the blanket I am using right now, because I had just your thought. Benjamin is a very resourceful rabbit! And a complete charmer, of course.

[Patrick Murtha]

This afternoon I purchased a couple of sheets of pressed foamboard at a local office, school, and art supplies store. The two sheets together cover the entire hexagonal pen except for a couple of inches in two of the corners, which I doubt will be a problem. I have perfect visibility through the sides of the pen because there is nothing hanging down. There is no visibility through the top, but I decided to give the foamboard a try because it is lightweight but sturdy, and very inexpensive — just $3.50 for the two sheets.

I’ve had the new “roof” up for a few hours, and so far, so good — Benjamin seems to be discouraged from trying to get out. He still loves it when I open the door of the pen to let him roam the apartment!

My next project is to get some tubing to cover the wires that are too numerous in this small Korean apartment.

[Beka27]

You could also ziptie some NIC grids together in a square and just place that on top. That would allow for plenty of airflow.

[Author]

Messages