Help with a fox-proof run

Some of you may remember a while ago my angst at a friend who seperated a pair, the girl went to her brother and died of myxi , and the boy stayed with her. (sorry I can't find the thread)
I visit Oscar bun every week, and for an outdoor single bun, he does seem happy enough, he gets a lot of company from my friend, and Dan, my best mate, whoc shares there, and has a very relationship with Bertie, now has a very good relationship with Oscar too. It's not ideal, but he is well loved and cared for. He's really friendly and comes over for cuddles when he sees me

I haven't been able to persuade her to get another friend for him, but Dan and me are going to make Oscar bun a proper fox proof (important for where they live) run, as he only has a crappy thing at the mo, that's broklen, and he couldn't be left alone in, and he does love being outside.
I've never attempted anything like this, so I'd like some help as to the materials i need etc.
Is there a certain type of wire and wood I should use? Any tips, templates, designs etc.
I thought of using bolts to secure the run to the hutch, and also making the run collapsable in some way.

I'd be grateful for any info as i want to get this right for the little fella

Haven't been here for ages! My dad and I have made two recently one for my buns and one for Angie at BARC.

You need:
Strong Galvanised Wire
U shaped staples for gixing wire to wood.
Strong wood thats about an inch thick
Nails
Hinges if required
I fix mine to my playhouse with door latches and padlocks so I can move it if needs be easily enough.

The best way to make it is to make 4 rectangles for the edges plus a lit and base if needed.
Its easier if you've got a dad with woodworking tools as a saw takes longer but it is still possible if maybe a bit wonky!
You need to overlap the ends of the wood to make it secure, cut about a 2inch wedge off the end cutting down the length of the wood. The same on another and then overlap them at right angles to each other. carry on with the others to make rectangles.

I found it easier to cut them all and lay them on the floor in place and then glue and nail them all after the cutting is done.
If you put the wire on the inside of the run it means that it can't be chewed by pesky rabbit teeth!!

If you want photos I can post some. And if anything doesn't make sense I'll try to explain better!!

Helen x

Double meshing the run would be a good idea too, you can either put two layers on the inside (this stops the buns from chewing the wooden framework) or one on the inside and another over the outside.

Is the run going to be placed on concrete or grass BTW...

Wow, Thank-you both, that's brilliant, and any photos would be great Helen, thanks

The run will be on grass, does that mean it'll have to have a mesh floor?

If your going to leave the bun unattended in the run then yes, I would personally, and keep the grass a little long so it's kinder on little paws.

Mmm, I don't like the idea of that too much, perhaps we could provide a 1/4 of it with a decking of sorts? It will be uncomfortable I would think, or not?

It's not just that something might dig in but the rabbit might dig out. If you can't mesh the bottom then I would recommend setting slabbing under the run itself.

Sooz wrote:It's not just that something might dig in but the rabbit might dig out. If you can't mesh the bottom then I would recommend setting slabbing under the run itself.

My 2 seem to prefer to sit/lay on slabs.
OH looked into building one but after he priced it up it didn't work out that much cheaper.

They like the concrete and stones in summer as they are nice and cold. It's also easy to clean the runs out and improves hygiene should you have a multi-bun household as you can actually wash the stones down.

The slabs sound like the best solution, there is an area of concrete that the run could sit on but it's in a bit of an awkward place, I'll have a look at it when I'm over there tomorrow and see what we can work out.

Thanks for your help

Jay wrote:Mmm, I don't like the idea of that too much, perhaps we could provide a 1/4 of it with a decking of sorts? It will be uncomfortable I would think, or not?

no you dont need a mesh floor you can do either of the following.. dig up the grass/turf and lay paving slabs or you can lay mesh then you relay the grassput a brick layer aruond the edge beneathtthe ground to stop something digging under tho.then the run ontop. x

bunlover wrote:

Jay wrote:Mmm, I don't like the idea of that too much, perhaps we could provide a 1/4 of it with a decking of sorts? It will be uncomfortable I would think, or not?

no you dont need a mesh floor you can do either of the following.. dig up the grass/turf and lay paving slabs or you can lay mesh then you relay the grassput a brick layer aruond the edge beneathtthe ground to stop something digging under tho.then the run ontop. x

we used a brick layer under the fence.
Our run stands on slabs and grass (i/2 and 1/2 ) and in winter i'm going to move it onto the bottom patio and grow some grass in containers for them.

Hi there we make make fox proof runs all our runs are fullly collapsible making it easy to fold away when not in use please take a look at our website many thanks from Steve and Jacqui

^^ sadly there is now no need. The rabbit in question has been killed. I posted about it in Rainbow bridge this week with specific reference to this thread. I think I made it quite clear that I was hoping to build, not buy, a run