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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> Rabiit hutch https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1109439592 Message started by greg on Feb 26^th, 2005, 5:39pm

Title: Rabiit hutch
Post by greg on Feb 26^th, 2005, 5:39pm

What material would you guys reccommend for an external hutch is treated safe for them to chew on

cheers

Title: Re: Rabiit hutch
Post by woodsmith on Feb 26^th, 2005, 10:33pm

Greg what is it made from?

I wouldn't treat it with anything myself, the bunny will probably eat it before it decays.

Depending on what it is made from you could use Tung oil for wood, or varnish for ply or wood (look for one which is toy safe) I doubt you will find a food safe varnish.

Keith

Title: Re: Rabiit hutch
Post by big_all on Feb 26^th, 2005, 10:40pm

greg get a small bit of branch with bark still on [30 to 45mm across]they prefer this to your hutch
if you also fix the chicken wire to the inside edge of all frames[run and front off the hutch] it reduces dammage to a minimum

Title: Re: Rabiit hutch
Post by greg on Feb 27^th, 2005, 9:48am

Sorry guys, didn't make myself clear - ive got to build a hutch - the ones in the pet shop are absoulute crap and i refuse to pay £70 for them as they are so poorly built.

Would i be OK using ordinary rough sawn soft wood to build the carcase, T & G for the sides / back etc and treating them with a preservative

Cheers

Title: Re: Rabbit hutch
Post by woodsmith on Feb 27^th, 2005, 11:02am

No.

Not unless you hate the bunny ;D

If you build it as you suggest and don't treat it with preservative it will last for years anyway. BA's advice is good as it is more likely to be eaten than decay.

Like I said before though you could varnish it.

The only weak point is where it rests on the ground, plastic feet or a couple of easily replaceable boards to keep it off the floor would be a good idea.

Keith

Title: Re: Rabiit hutch
Post by big_all on Feb 28^th, 2005, 8:56am

made a hutch for my brothers kids out of 12mm exterior ply [untreated ]which the rabbits cant get there teeth into except when the doors are open
4 years later sighns of wear and tare but nowt you cant fix with a new panel

the recomended size is much bigger than you think for a hutch

the base [cant remember exact size think it was 43" which allows the roof to overhang 2inches either side]was as you would expect an oblong with 2by2along all edges[underneath]this gives you somthing solid to fix the sides and back to and the batton at the front supports the floor [as you have your doors on all the frontage]it also gives you somthing solid for your bricks to sit under

none off it was treated
two trays made up to cover the floor area both sides eases cleaning and most rot happens on these [in the areas used as a toilet ::)

type a few more details later if you like but getting boared at the min :-[

Title: Re: Rabiit hutch
Post by JerryD on Feb 28^th, 2005, 5:43pm

rabbit hutches need to be pretty tall as the rabbit will want to stand up full stretch.

That cr*p you see in pet shops should be banned, far too small unless you incorporate a large run area alongside.

Bigger the better.

............... I can feel a shed coming on....... ;D :o ::)