Rabbit cage

I have a plethora of old bun trays they're made out of plastic with about 1 in by 1-in holes in the bottle of them do you think I can put these together and make rabbit cages out of them I know the size and top will be fine but I'm speaking of the bottoms for their feet

Hi Michael,
I can't speak to the size of the holes, but I know that rabbits do a lot of chewing. I would be worried the rabbits would chew through the walls.

Michael Kildow wrote:I have a plethora of old bun trays they're made out of plastic with about 1 in by 1-in holes in the bottle of them do you think I can put these together and make rabbit cages out of them I know the size and top will be fine but I'm speaking of the bottoms for their feet

You could possibly do adults or growouts. What would have trouble is baby kits especially under two weeks old. Although their feet wouldn't get stuck so it may not be an issue. .

If they can get their teeth over an edge, they will chew it. It's instinctive. And, in the case of plastic, they will swallow it. Their digestive systems are very sensitive to blockage, too - and the blockage can kill very quickly. Being prey animals, they're experts at hiding symptoms that would make their weakness obvious to predators. So, by the time you notice there is a problem, it's very often too late to do anything about it. I would not advise it.  

Carla Burke wrote:If they can get their teeth over an edge, they will chew it. It's instinctive. And, in the case of plastic, they will swallow it. Their digestive systems are very sensitive to blockage, too - and the blockage can kill very quickly. Being prey animals, they're experts at hiding symptoms that would make their weakness obvious to predators. So, by the time you notice there is a problem, it's very often too late to do anything about it. I would not advise it.  

Yes, this is true.
Anything plastic they can get their teeth on, they will chew.

Rabbits will chew out of that in a hurry. I provide small pieces of wood for mine. I've watched them rip chunks out like mini beavers.

1x1 is too large of an opening for any rabbits feet as well. Full grown rabbits need support under their pads, even in wire cages with smaller openings most people provide a resting pad of flat wood or metal.

Have you guys buried the welded mesh to let the rabbits to dig?
I want to give them 2ft of depth but do you think I could be heading into trouble by letting them dig in sand?

Zeus forero wrote:Have you guys buried the welded mesh to let the rabbits to dig?
I want to give them 2ft of depth but do you think I could be heading into trouble by letting them dig in sand?

My rabbits are in cages. What kind of trouble? Is it completely sand where they can't build tunnels?

It is mostly sand but the bit of clay and moisture let it stay together. Im more worried aboutand health trouble like infections in the ears, eyes...

Zeus forero wrote:It is mostly sand but the bit of clay and moisture let it stay together. Im more worried aboutand health trouble like infections in the ears, eyes...

Ah, yes, I want to know more about that as well.

Pheeww ok, I'll have the first aid ready and I'll post updates.
Look forward to "The beach bunny project" 🤣

Zeus forero wrote:Pheeww ok, I'll have the first aid ready and I'll post updates.
Look forward to "The beach bunny project" 🤣

I look forward to it!

I've been told about issues with parasites on the ground where we are moving to in Georgia
but I'm still going to do trials. Maybe not start with my best breed stock.

I didn't have to bury the fence and the rabbits made an amazing burrow at the base of three in their enclosure, after two months I started letting the rabbits free range through the farm and they always return to their burrow.
I guess I got lucky with well behaved rabbits but it could also be that they realized the only water nearby is inside the fenced area.

Zeus forero wrote:I didn't have to bury the fence and the rabbits made an amazing burrow at the base of three in their enclosure, after two months I started letting the rabbits free range through the farm and they always return to their burrow.
I guess I got lucky with well behaved rabbits but it could also be that they realized the only water nearby is inside the fenced area.

Wow, I am very impressed!

Zeus forero wrote:I didn't have to bury the fence and the rabbits made an amazing burrow at the base of three in their enclosure, after two months I started letting the rabbits free range through the farm and they always return to their burrow.
I guess I got lucky with well behaved rabbits but it could also be that they realized the only water nearby is inside the fenced area.

As long as not too many are in the area they won't go far. No need if they have the resources available and you are only a minor threat in their mind. Mine stick around our acre, it's currently partially fenced but 1/4 unfinished but even before they stuck nearby. The neighbors across the road get out and venture over because we have a better variety of food options compared to their bare lawn. We also have a nice conex box they use as a wind/weather cover.

I've actually had one of my loose buns come up in the winter and ask to go into confinement, lol. She knew fresh water goes in the cages twice a day, even when it's -22f.

Loose rabbits are never my intention but utilizing old cages, a middle aged brain and young animal sitters...it happens.  I am hoping to set them up with a nice colony once we are back to normal in our home. If we did have a more rural place I'd consider roaming them like you and harvesting as needed as it's definitely a better quality of life.

I HAVE dealt with the nasty parasitic Bott flies that can wreak havoc on the poor little bodies and they are more common when animals are on the ground. Smell has a lot to do with attracting them, after realizing they existed and researching, this year we had no issues. Not sure if it was a lesson or just luck, that will be answered in years to come. Summer of 2023 was a nightmare of rabbit triages.

It has been a nice experience and you're right as long there's more food and water in the acreage than in the forest they usually stick around. It was quite a learning curve for them too, to go from raised cages from their previous owners to a large open area, as some of them ate wild mushrooms that weren't any good for them

We put our bunnies in cages at night, but during the day let them run around our enclosed porch. It is 10 x 24 so pretty decent sized and lets them get out their energy. It also prevents bumble foot which is awful for a bunny.

It starts because rabbits are always walking on woven wire. I have never forced my bunny's to do that more than overnight. But these are pet bunny's who will live for 8-10 years too, so bumble foot is a huge concern for me. For meat bunny's, not so much of course.