A House for a Wabbit

[easysurfer]

My sister loves animals. Pretty much all kinds.

Lately, one of the tops is Rabbits. I've been emailing with her (she's about 120 miles from me) and she tells me about how she's planning to get a giant rabbit (there is a term for them, but I forget) and build a big rabbit house.

Like a good brother, I volunteered to help with power tools as she's afraid of saws and I don't want any accidents. She got plans in the internet at work but didn't save a link (only a hard copy). I told her, if the plans come with a cut list of what lumber is needed and what sizes, I'd be happy to drive over one day and saw the wood to proper sizes. That's the plan.

Her plan is for a Wonky Playhouse for Rabbits. It's the first time I've heard of such a thing. A "Wonky" playhouse? From searching the internet, I guess "Wonky" is a brand name. I've seen ones for children, cats and dogs, but not rabbits.

Was wondering, does anyone have any experiences with this?

I know, sounds silly... a Wonky playhouse for a Wabbit

[freebird5825]

Here's a wonky playhouse site. I guess wonky means "oddly angled" or "hand made with obvious mistakes" ?

Children's Wonky playhouse plans

[easysurfer]

Thanks! I think that might be the house she has in mind.

[ERD50]

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebird5825 Here's a wonky playhouse site. I guess wonky means "oddly angled" or "hand made with obvious mistakes" ? Children's Wonky playhouse plans

Wonky/wacky! Looks like fun.

Better have a compound miter saw for those kind of cuts though!

-ERD50

[easysurfer]

Yeah..got one. I was telling my sister, she doesn't want to have to draw the angles herself when a miter saw has them marked for you. I think the plans she has are only in metric so I'll need a metric measuring tape too to avoid going wonky converting the measurments.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer Was wondering, does anyone have any experiences with this?

I know a number of rabbit owners who let their bunnies roam the house. The key is to bunny-proof the lower three feet of the room(s) where Floppy will be roaming, and maybe to limit their access with pet gates.

The advantage is that they stay mobile and more healthy. Caged rabbits tend to develop arthritis far earlier than free-range rabbits. Of course the downside is that they will help you bunny-proof by chewing on everything you missed the first time through.

One key for our bunny turned out to be a half-dozen large cardboard boxes. We put them behind a couch where he could "hide". He spent weeks chewing on the cardboard to make his own personal warren with its entrances & exits. The cardboard was what he needed to keep his teeth under control.

[grasshopper]

Oh those darn wascally wabbits.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords I know a number of rabbit owners who let their bunnies roam the house. The key is to bunny-proof the lower three feet of the room(s) where Floppy will be roaming, and maybe to limit their access with pet gates. The advantage is that they stay mobile and more healthy. Caged rabbits tend to develop arthritis far earlier than free-range rabbits. Of course the downside is that they will help you bunny-proof by chewing on everything you missed the first time through. One key for our bunny turned out to be a half-dozen large cardboard boxes. We put them behind a couch where he could "hide". He spent weeks chewing on the cardboard to make his own personal warren with its entrances & exits. The cardboard was what he needed to keep his teeth under control.

I think my sister wants to build the Wonky playhouse to keep her wabbits out of a cage, but also away from her other animals who might think of her wabbits as a tastely treat

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer I think my sister wants to build the Wonky playhouse to keep her wabbits out of a cage, but also away from her other animals who might think of her wabbits as a tastely treat

Neighbors had several bunnies peacefully co-existing with their golden retriever and their cats, but our bunny lived alone. He got along OK with other bunnies, and he once kicked a chihuahua's butt out of the familyroom, but I can't offer much help with making all the critters get along...

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords Neighbors had several bunnies peacefully co-existing with their golden retriever and their cats, but our bunny lived alone. He got along OK with other bunnies, and he once kicked a chihuahua's butt out of the familyroom, but I can't offer much help with making all the critters get along...

That's sweet. About the animals co-existing. Just like people, once when everybody's personal space is established, they can get along and be best buds.

My sister has two rabbits presently. She's looking for a giant one now (said it's about 20lbs). She works with animals so is around them a lot.

[pb4uski]

DD once had a pet rabbit, Cutie Pie. I built a nice cage for it out of wire mesh with 1" or so squares and it worked pretty well.

She used to occasionally let it out of the cage. It chewed up a very nice piece of luggage that I owned and that was the end of Cutie Pie. I found someone who took it cage and all. I suspect it made them a tasty supper.

There is a guy a couple towns over that raises rabbits for meat. I love rabbit so I need to get over to see him sometime.

[MrSaturday]

A 20lb rabbit won't be bothered by other animals. He or she will probably rule the place.

Just make sure you spay/neuter if you bring it in the house. Rabbits make great indoor pets as long as you understand the behavioral differences from other pets. I've got a 4.5lb 11-year-old who hasn't been in a cage since we got him.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSaturday A 20lb rabbit won't be bothered by other animals. He or she will probably rule the place. Just make sure you spay/neuter if you bring it in the house. Rabbits make great indoor pets as long as you understand the behavioral differences from other pets. I've got a 4.5lb 11-year-old who hasn't been in a cage since we got him.

That was the first question I had asked my sister. "That is, are they fixed? Otherwise, well, they breed like rabbits "

Yes, she has them spayed/neutered.

[TromboneAl]

I recommend that you buy the lumber and cut things up at your house and even do some assembly, then drive the stuff to her house. If your sister is like mine, it can take 20 minutes to find a screwdriver at her house if you forget yours.

[Lsbcal]

I got my rabbit kicks by doing a few oil paintings containing them. DW has done several very nice rabbit paintings. Also like to observe the wild ones.

Let us know how the living-with-rabbit experience works out.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal Also like to observe the wild ones.

+1

We have a few living in our front 'yard', nibbling on the plants near the house we water occasionally. They have become almost tame - if we don't make any sudden moves we can get within a few feet of them.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal I got my rabbit kicks by doing a few oil paintings containing them. DW has done several very nice rabbit paintings. Also like to observe the wild ones. Let us know how the living-with-rabbit experience works out.

I won't be doing the living with them. That's my sister's role LOL. I'm just going there to help saw lumber and build.

In the meantime, back at my place I'm already dealing with a couple of cats that like climbing on my shoulders and giving me a head licking

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl I recommend that you buy the lumber and cut things up at your house and even do some assembly, then drive the stuff to her house. If your sister is like mine, it can take 20 minutes to find a screwdriver at her house if you forget yours.

Funny. I'm one step ahead.

I had asked my sister if she has a mitre saw. She said that she knows her husband has one around, but not sure where. I said, no problem, I'll happily bring mine .

Her husband is even worse than her when it comes to keeping tools, and such around.

p.s. My fingers are crossed hoping they know where they kept the saw horses.

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lsbcal I got my rabbit kicks by doing a few oil paintings containing them.

Hey, me too!

[Purron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by easysurfer My sister loves animals. Pretty much all kinds. Lately, one of the tops is Rabbits. I've been emailing with her (she's about 120 miles from me) and she tells me about how she's planning to get a giant rabbit (there is a term for them, but I forget) and build a big rabbit house. Like a good brother, I volunteered to help with power tools as she's afraid of saws and I don't want any accidents. She got plans in the internet at work but didn't save a link (only a hard copy). I told her, if the plans come with a cut list of what lumber is needed and what sizes, I'd be happy to drive over one day and saw the wood to proper sizes. That's the plan. Her plan is for a Wonky Playhouse for Rabbits. It's the first time I've heard of such a thing. A "Wonky" playhouse? From searching the internet, I guess "Wonky" is a brand name. I've seen ones for children, cats and dogs, but not rabbits. Was wondering, does anyone have any experiences with this? I know, sounds silly... a Wonky playhouse for a Wabbit

You are a good brother. And I just know I'd like your sister.

I'm a cat person but volunteer at our local animal shelter so do have a limited knowledge of other companion animals including rabbits. They are wonderful creatures but are often misunderstood. That's why so many of them end up abandoned at the shelter.

Hope it works out and good for you for helping your sister with this.