Help out a clueless bunny dad...

I watched the video on recommended accommodations size and I'm a bit confused. Guinness is a house rabbit. The only time he goes outside is to go to the vet, and he's in a carrier at those times. I allow him to roam free except when I'm asleep. That means he's roaming the house while I'm away. Should I not be doing that, or is putting him up in the master bathroom at night not necessary?

I'm also looking forward to when I move. Should I let Guinness roam free all the time or make him a pen for when I'm not at home or asleep? If so, what should I use for flooring? I realize that I probably can't get the exact items you have over there in the UK, so a generic description would probably be best. I have the wire CNC-type panels to make the walls and will get the other items Holly was talking about in her post about Rory's new home.

There is one other concern I have. I use a pet gate with metal grating like CNC panels and Guinness gnaws on them trying to get out. How could I keep him from doing that? Right now, I slip a piece of cardboard between the gate and the brace. He never bothers the cardboard--it's almost like he thinks it's a wall--but I don't want to close off the pen when I build it.

I think you are doing everything right ed. It does him no harm at all to be shut in when you arnt home or at night. Goodness knows what mischief he could get up to left to his own devices.

The cardboard is a great idea also.

Hi Ed,
I agree with Katie,
Vernon is the house bunny and his warren also functions as our lounge. But I will close the door at night as I would not trust the cats unsupervised.
I'm not sure about the flooring. Best tip:
Easy to clean and not to sloppy for them. I personally use carpet tiles that are blue tackett to the wooden floor to ensure he can jump onto his favourite spots without sliding and hurting himself.
Don't worry bunny building plans usually evolve over time.

A lot depends on the character of the rabbit. I live free-range upstairs and am a little angel , likewise Theo and Reuben downstairs are good (although cables down there are protected anyway). Our Gizmo, on the other hand, went through the house like a tornado

Am I right in remembering that Guiness, like our Theo, has no front teeth? In which case the job of bunny-proofing becomes a lot easier.

Reuben will rattle the bars on his pen even though he is never shut in it. It's just something to do, and something that usually gets him attention and often a fresh willow stick to chew instead. It is a good idea to give them some sort of home base where they can go if anything unsettles them and where they know hoomins are banned from disturbing them. Given the option he'll probably choose one for himself - T & R ignore their pen in favour of behind-the-sofa and sleep there all day.

c.bolduan wrote:Don't worry bunny building plans usually evolve grow over time.

Corrected that for ya

Thanks Sparky!
I wasn't aware that Guiness has no front teeth. Surely like Vernon he will be an angel.

I agree with everyone so far.

We are lucky, King Dougal is like Princess Sparky, he gets left out permenantly free roaming down stairs, when we go to the hospital it has been up to 6 hours and he does not do a thing, he stays out at night too. He is so well beahved but has been since being 10 weeks old. He was even the worlds most well beahved teenager. I could not get over this, for safety though and if you are not sure I would have a secure room, sounds like you are doing excellent with Guiness to me.