New shed/run....they're in!!

Hello  

We have a plan....well, almost  
I'm trying to come up with a sturdy, as large as possible shed/run for Jeff and Lexi which will see them through the winters, be easier to clean out than their current set-up and give the opportunity for more fun things - tunnels, different levels, hidey holes etc
Currently they have a double hutch (5x2x2ft on each level) attached to a 7x4x2.5ft run. Trying to catch them is a nightmare, and my knees don't thank me for crawling about in the run, and there's no room to expand, so I'm looking at another area of the garden instead. What I'd like is a walk-in run and a decent sized shed.

We have an old lean-to greenhouse which is long past its best and would make a good site for a new bunny house after we get rid of it. It's on paving slabs so already has a good firm base.
I can't decide what style to go for though as there are a few practical considerations.

The max size shed/run combo can be 10x6ft but it's quite a tight space to fit it in; there is a low retaining wall which runs around this area approx 1 - 1.5ft away around 3 sides and the 4th side is our garage wall.

We could go for this sort of thing (with mesh on two sides):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321187236390?var=510148138486&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2648
but the roof pitches down at the back and rain would run down the back and access to painting/weatherproofing would be difficult as the garage wall would be there.

Or this chalet style:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121155284840?var=420161508399&ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2648
better as rain would drip off to the sides and not down the back

or something like this, where the roof pitches down at the front:
http://www.atlassheds.co.uk/shop/pet-houses-kennels/dog-run-model-b-kennel/

None of those is ideal.....I quite like the chalet style; we could get get extra mesh and windows added.

All of these leave the back wall unreachable, so no re-painting or weather-proofing once it's up. So...I was also wondering if a lean-to made up of 3 walls with the 4th wall being the garage wall would be an idea: no back wall to maintain, no small gaps for hedgehogs to hibernate in (and die....as happened a couple of years ago.....under the hutch when the buns were indoors for the winter  ), and we could wood-clad the bricks once the shed is up if having bare bricks is a problem.

What do you think?

Also, if we get something custom-made, which would be better?
a 6x3ft shed with a 6x7ft run
or a 6x4ft shed with a 6x6ft run.
Jeff especially likes to bound around, so I'm tempted to think a larger run area is better.

Would really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!  
Debs
x

Can you post a pic of the space so we have a better idea?

Here you go...
This is the old leaky greenhouse. Do excuse the state of it....I've given up battling with it    
Greenhouse 1: Debs 0



The greenhouse is roughly the size a new shed/run could be 10x6ft....there's approx 1-1.5ft paving around the outside of it.

Here's a closer pic of the retaining wall. The previous house owners set the greenhouse down from the rest of the garden against the garage wall...doesn't tend to get wet down there though - the guttering on the greenhouse take the water running down the roof away effectively.



Hope that helps explain the area a bit better
x

I think that last one looks fab! With the run being tall you could add things to climb on too !

Is the greenhouse roof servicable?

My first thought for that space would be to put a frame up and weld-mesh it so it is one huge aviary, using the original greenhouse roof for cheapness.

Then I'd have a huge long hutch against the garage wall side, but two or three feet up on legs (whichever height is most convenient for cleaning out. No reason for the hutch not to be the full ten foot length then, and they'd still have the full 6' x 10' open run space. I'd use a runaround tunnel for them to get down from the hutch to the run - in fact, if I went for a full length hutch I'd probably give them at least two tunnels in / out of the hutch.



PS - that birch tree, I hope you cut them the odd branch off that... nomnomnom  

Sparky has some excellent ideas. Her Hudad made her warren some awesome hutches/runs with awesome tunnels. Talk to Father Jack. He'll ask his Hudad. He'll probably have ideas himself. Clever bun he is. If he had opposable thumbs he'd be building skyscrapers.

Katieb wrote:I think that last one looks fab!  With the run being tall you could add things to climb on too !  

Yup, can't wait to make their area a bit more interesting......a few more tubes and tunnels, ledges and hidey holes. Will be great!!  

Sparky wrote:Is the greenhouse roof servicable?

My first thought for that space would be to put a frame up and weld-mesh it so it is one huge aviary, using the original greenhouse roof for cheapness.

Then I'd have a huge long hutch against the garage wall side, but two or three feet up on legs (whichever height is most convenient for cleaning out. No reason for the hutch not to be the full ten foot length then, and they'd still have the full 6' x 10' open run space. I'd use a runaround tunnel for them to get down from the hutch to the run - in fact, if I went for a full length hutch I'd probably give them at least two tunnels in / out of the hutch.



PS - that birch tree, I hope you cut them the odd branch off that... nomnomnom  

Hmm, well, I must admit that I had wondered if we could use the frame somehow - it's pretty sturdy and seems a shame to take it down if we can reuse it - I think we can fix weld mesh panels to it somehow, fill in one end for shelter, but the roof is pretty awful and leaks a lot at the mo...we'd have to take the glass out and fix a proper roof on....will need a bit of thought to see what's possible and also what weight the frame might be able to take.
Hmmm....  

I really like the idea of a long hutch and maximising the run area  Thanks for that Sparky.

I haven't fed any of the silver birch to buns yet - I wasn't sure if it was safe for them...one of the (many) things I've been meaning to look up

gentl wrote:Sparky has some excellent ideas.  Her Hudad made her warren some awesome hutches/runs with awesome tunnels.  Talk to Father Jack.  He'll ask his Hudad.  He'll probably have ideas himself.  Clever bun he is.  If he had opposable thumbs he'd be building skyscrapers.

Thanks Holly!
Any suggestions Sparky's and Father Jack's Hudads have would be brilliant

I will leave it to the expert's but if you are stuck we are always here  

Tuckerbunnies wrote:I will leave it to the expert's but if you are stuck we are always here  

I always value your advice Maysie.....don't worry, you'll definitely be getting tons of questions from me   
I really can't decide how to make the best use of the space we have....it's going to take a lot of clearing and sorting but it would be great to get it all done before the wintery weather starts.
xxx

Yorkshire Debs wrote:Any suggestions Sparky's and Father Jack's Hudads have would be brilliant

It's the same Hudad - Jack is my Daddy  

Two Hudads - that would mean two Humums   *shudder*

Yorkshire Debs wrote:

Tuckerbunnies wrote:I will leave it to the expert's but if you are stuck we are always here  

I always value your advice Maysie.....don't worry, you'll definitely be getting tons of questions from me   
I really can't decide how to make the best use of the space we have....it's going to take a lot of clearing and sorting but it would be great to get it all done before the wintery weather starts.
xxx

Humum says bear in mind it'll cost 50% more and take twice as long as you expect  

  
D'oh! Silly Debs

Hello  

A quick update.....

Greenhouse cleared.  
Greenhouse taken down with the help of two lovely friends.  
Bunny house ordered.
Paving stones pressure-hosed clean by lovely hubby.
Glass clear tarpaulin ordered from eBay to make weather-proofing.
Bunny house being installed even as I type....just the roof to go on.

I'm at work so can't see what it looks like.....hubby is holding the fort at home.
*chews nails with excitement*

Will post a pic later.

Oooh, so exciting! I can't wait to see

Eeeeek! I bet it is going to be fabulous!

An update with no pics  




*refreshes thread*



*refreshes thread*



*refreshes thread*



Us buns aren't known for our patience....

Oooo, hang on! Photobucket isn't being helpful at the mo.....

Hello  

Finally.....Photobucket let me login.....

Well, it's just a shell at the mo - but am really pleased with it - 10x6ft, nicely made and assembled with care. Has 16G galvanised mesh so I'm happy they're secure (although I may get a padlock for the door).

There's still a fair bit to do to make it right for the furry duo - I need to give it a good sweep out to get rid of all the brick dust from drilling to attach it to the wall, and the mud trekked in, then will give it a couple of coats of Garden Shades, get some guttering on (and a water butt) and get the waterproofing covers sorted for the mesh sides - the glass-clear tarp arrived today so I thought I'd make covers that came down the sides but can be rolled up and velocro'd out of the way when not needed - so Jeff and Lexi can stay dry and can still get a bit of daylight as it's clear see-though stuff. Just hoping that we get a few days of good weather now so I can sort it out.





Their hutch can go down the sheltered end with its insulation and covers so they can be snug when they need to be and have bouncing and play room in the rest. And there's a light in there and a power socket (out of bun range) if needed too.
In the Spring I'll see about getting them a longer hutch on taller legs so they can have maximum floor space, but they'll have to have their current hutch for now.

Now just need some ideas for fun things for them......some tunnels and perches I think. Maysie suggested a digging box, which is a fab idea for a certain young bun who loves nothing more than putting big holes in Maysie and Mike's lawn........

That will make a wonderful home for the bunnies!!!  It's a great space.

Wow, that's fab! Lucky buns

That is amazing  

Tunnels, little step stools, snuggle boxes they can go in or get up onto, an old child's sandpit full of soil for digging.... and still plenty of binky space...

That is outstanding love.

Hugs

Jo xx

Hello, and thanks everyone   

Well, it's taken the drench test - it poured down on Friday and the roof held up ok. Looks like we'll do the howling gale test if tonight's forecast is anything to go by.....

Saw Maysie and Mike on Friday and they gave me some ideas for making a digging box with high sides, so hopefully the soil will spend more time inside the box than out.  
Will search out some sturdy tunnels and steps/boxes online tonight too....possibly a Runaround tunnel or two?

I hope to get it painted, guttering up and weatherproofing on this week so will post more pics as I get each bit done.

Can't wait to move the buns in.

Can't wait to watch the progress throughout the week

Hello   

With all the rainy weather (and work going into overdrive)  I've hardly had chance to do anything to the bunny house  but today I managed to get the first coat of paint on the outside.  



It won't be finished before Jeff and Lexi come back from Maysie's at the weekend which is really disappointing  
Weather permitting, this weekend I'll get a second coat on the outside and do the inside, and hubby will help with the guttering and weatherproofing, so hopefully it won't be too much longer before Jeff and Lexi have a fun new pad to play in.