A New Cage

So, being the nice brother I am, I brought my sister a rabbit today as an early Bday and Christmas present while at Repticon.
Unfortunately, we don't have any where suitable to house the rabbit other than an old hamster cage (the rabbit is a dwarf, only like a month old) so... I started to build one :)

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230021.jpg
The cage is being designed to fit under a window sill so from floor to top it'll measure 32". The housing area will be around 18" tall and there will be space underneath for storage. The main structure is all 2x4s.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230022.jpg
This is the finishing up of the support structure. All the 2x4s are nailed with 2 3/4" nails for added strength.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230025.jpg
Due to my lack of money (the rabbit emptied my wallet... after my new snake took a chunk out of it) we're using left over wood, so the floor is made from 2 pieces of 3/4" plywood. It will be strong enough. Shortly after finishing it I jumped up and down on the floor and I'm 200lb +

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230027.jpg
This is the floor finished and a dividing wall built so the rabbit (update... it has just been named Thumper) will have a dark and secure area to feel safe and sleep.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230034.jpg
Three of the walls are finished. They are 2x4 framed and them both sides are clad with Bead Board. The air gap should provide ample insulation for the Thumper.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230035.jpg
Measuring the tile for the floor. I like tile. It's perfect for cage floors as it protects from moisture. It also looks nice. Only downside is it adds a bit of weight.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230036.jpg
Starting the process of tiling the floor.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230037.jpg
The hide side of the hutch is tiled.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5230039.jpg
Where we finished tonight. We ran out of tile so I made sure to get all the cuts done today and then tomorrow I'll run out to lowes and get a matching tile to fit in place...

Not bad for 4 hours work really. All it cost is time (I had nothing better to do) and nails :)

nice. When I first read you got a rabbit, I thought it was for feeding. lookin good thus far..

Cheers

This one isn't. The plan is my fiancee is going to get one and we'll breed them... then rabbits are ready for snake food :)

I see. good plan:D what are the rabbits goin to be feed to?

If they're small enough (dwarf babies are tiny im sure) the BPs could probably get them lol

Today was a crappy day lol. I only got like 3 hours sleep so I wasn't in the mood for much, but I cracked on anyway.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240032.jpg
Finished tiling the floor and secured the back panels into place.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240033.jpg
Built and installed the ramp on the hide side.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240034.jpg
The ramp fully folded down.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240035.jpg
Building the other doors. First we took some bead board and cut two holes in it.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240036.jpg
Next the chicken wire mesh was laid on top.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240037.jpg
Then the supporting frame was laid on top of that.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240039.jpg
All three layers joined together.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240041.jpg
Doors separated (ran the table saw down the middle) and then attached.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5240052.jpg
Thumper browsing her new digs. I think we went a little over kill on size...

that is SO COOL! thank you for sharing. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cinderbird

that is SO COOL! thank you for sharing. :D

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Hey, from your post in my other thread, I agree that 3/4" is nearly indestructible. In the first set of pictures of the floor if this hutch you can see the tire marks from a fully loaded cement truck that drove over my sheet of plywood lol

The cage body is finished!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250054.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250053.jpg
I designed the roof to be removable (2 man job) so underneath it is a set of guides to help provide a snug fit.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250055.jpg
Roof base and frame completed.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250058.jpg
Cement board installed. Then the roof fit was tested.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250061.jpg
Tiling the roof. I used left over granite tiles (hence the 2 man lift) that will provide a strong table top like surface. I cut them all into different shapes and fit it together like a jigsaw.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250063.jpg
Roof top finished. The frame needs painting, but thats tomorrows job.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...h/P5250065.jpg
The cage was painted while the work on the roof continued. The rabbit seems to like the large open running space and tomorrow there will be a roof above her head :)

Excellent job!!!, I was wondering when you first started, about a removable tray for the bottom, for easier cleanups, this is great though :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by llovelace

Excellent job!!!, I was wondering when you first started, about a removable tray for the bottom, for easier cleanups, this is great though :)

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The rabbit is going to be litter box trained so we dont need to worry about messes.

Looks sweet! what kind of tile did you use for the top?

Cheers

WoW! What a great idea for a cage. Love the ramp. I was wondering about the tile but I see your idea now and I love it. Good luck with your bunny!

Wow man...you are quite the carpenter. It looks great and the bunny looks very happy with it!

wow.. love the step by step pictures and the finished product looks great. Looks like a nice (big) cozy home for the bunny

Yeah. Plenty of space to grow.
Unfortunately that bunny has passed, already (bad breeder). Next week there should be a new rabbit occupying that space.
Does anyone know if a mane-less lionheart could easily get through a 7"x7" hole?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

Yeah. Plenty of space to grow.
Unfortunately that bunny has passed, already (bad breeder). Next week there should be a new rabbit occupying that space.
Does anyone know if a mane-less lionheart could easily get through a 7"x7" hole?

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ahh man that sucks.. sorry to hear that. great lookin cage though. the new rabbit will have a nice place to chill at..

Cheers

Man, what an awesome project. You could always add some caster wheels to the legs and some small handles to the ends, then you can just roll it around when needed instead of having to lift it. Good Job...:gj: