walk-through [baby] gate

[lwayne]

We would like to get a gate so our buns dont go down stairs. Currently I’ve been using an xpen, but S.O. keeps knocking it over when he tries to step over it.  I’ve been  looking online and here’s what I find:

My question is: do you think the bars are too far apart? All of the gates I see are about 2.25″ to 2.5″ for the ones that list it.  Is that safe for a 6lb bunny? 

This one looks a little better, but I’m not sure if it will fit in the doorway: http://www.amazon.com/North-States-Industries-Stairway-Gate-Hardware/dp/B0012XDF8S/ref=pd_sbs_k_2

Any ideas/suggestions on a gate to get?

[mocha200]

i am also interested in one that is tall enough for them not to jump over and cheep enough for me to buy.

[Nibbles_NZ]

I have one very much like your first pic. I got it from Walmart for $40. I don’t have any problems with mine and it will adjust to just about any size door way. Baxter can stick his head through but that’s it. He is almost 9 lbs. I don’t think you would have a problem with a 6 lb bunny. If you live close to a Walmart you should check it out. You wouldn’t have to pay shipping or wait for it to ship and you could return it easily if it didn’t work for you

[Beka27]

To be safe, you could zip tie NIC grids to the bottom of it, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the opening and closing.

[jerseygirl]

This image is from habitats/bunnyrooms section on this site. Jack and Vivians room. I remember thinking how nifty it was.  I don’t know if it has been custom made but I imagine one could put something like this together with an xpen panel, wood, hinges and latch.

 

[Beka27]

That does look like an xpen panel.

[lwayne]

Thanks Jerseygirl, I saw that but my S.O. and I aren’t that handy. Although I may consider an attempt of that for the bunny room, it would be nice to be able to leave their door open when we are gone. I ended up getting the gate in my first link, extra tall 36″, which is taller than our xpen 30″. I’ll let everyone know how it works out. I also like having the xpen together so I can take the buns out in the back yard occasionally.

Binkybunny, can you please share how the gate was made?

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By lwayne on 10/14/2010 07:51 AM

Binkybunny, can you please share how the gate was made?

 

lwayne –  my husband took a panel off of an old xpen, and cut it in a way so that the sides of the xpen had little pointy parts, then corresponding holes into the plastic wood, then he jammed the xpen points into the holes by hammering the wood side.  (Though glue can be used if the holes were more loose.   Then he added the hinges and lock.  It took him just about an hour.   He’s a pretty handy guy though and has all the tools one could need to make it as easy as possible. 

P.S. – Jersey, Thank you for posting the photo. 

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I love the gate, I wish my dad was more handy. He is more of a computery guy.

[mocha200]

Moonlight_Wolf: yeah my dad knows every thing there is to know about computers, but not so much about building stuff. Well its more that he doesn’t like to do it, because he did a good job on my condo.

[lwayne]

Yep same with S.O., he does computer stuff and is still learning the handy work.

Binkybunny, thanks! I’m not sure we have the tool to saw off the metal part. I’ll keep it in mind though.

We got the one in the first link installed. I’m still not sure about the spacing width.. but luckily since we’ve had that area fenced off for a while, the bunnies don’t take notice of it. Plus it is right in the kitchen so I’ll be careful to keep an eye on them.

[mocha200]

Tell me how you like it! how far apart are the holes? could you post a pic?

[jerseygirl]

P.S. – Jersey, Thank you for posting the photo

haha! No thank you for putting it in the gallery. Now we can all copy it.

I’m not so willing to sacrifice a panel by cutting it. I might do something that will do the job but won’t look as neat. I thought I’d attach a panel to the wood with small saddle clips (they prob have another name) like this.

 
I’d keep the side with the clips facing out from where the rabbits are. Another way I thought was to use 2 pieces of wood for each side and sandwich the xpen panel between them. The wood could be screwed together with a bolts and wing nuts or a square U shape brackets maybe.

[lwayne]

S.O. loves the gate!! Luckily the bunnies don’t take note of it.

Here it is:

Space between most of the bars is 2.25″, although some are more like 2″ and where the door opens its 2 3/8″.  I don’t think Arduina will try to stick her head through it.. unless there is food on the otherside.

I guess she can get a little crazy, she jumped up here on her own:

 

And here’s an adorable picture of Leo:

He’s hard to get because he’s so photo shy.

[jerseygirl]

bonus bunny pics – yay! So pretty, your pair!

That gate looks a neat solution. No more accidents for S.O. ? lol. For the bunnies, you could always zip tie NIC grid, a pen panel or even cardboard to the gate to lessen the gaps if they try get thru.

[Beka27]

And worst case scenario… a piece of metal mesh could be attached to one side without affecting the function or appearance…

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 10/19/2010 08:23 AM
And worst case scenario… a piece of metal mesh could be attached to one side without affecting the function or appearance…

 

That’s exactly what I was going to suggest.   The space between does concern me only because of the horror stories I have heard and so for me, I would just want to err on the side of caution.

[Beka27]

I believe Moonlight has a baby gate in her bedroom door with mesh or chicken wire attached to it.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Yes I do, Let me see if I can find a picture….
It works out well for me and it doesn’t look bad either. I just thought the spacing between the bars of my gate was a little too far.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

Here is a picture of the gate, it is a little blurry but you can see the basic Idea.

[jerseygirl]

MLW, that looks good!

[mocha200]

MLW: do you just step over it then? how tall is it?

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I mostly just step over it because I don’t feel like opening it, but it can be opened, it’s just easier for me to step over. It is about 30 inches high.

[Author]

Messages