Convert your carrier into a hay-tidy!

Following Sooz's thread about housebunny's teeth and not getting enough hay, possibly because of the mess it creates, I got thinking about how to make a hay0manger that kept the room tidy. (see thread)

I mucked about with a couple of prototypes, big plastic tubs that etc. and then Bertie showed me the way! I put his hay in his carrier temporarily, as I was using his hay tub for a prototype, and he started eating the hay through the bars at the front. So, i converted his carrier, which has worked out brilliantly, and he goes in there to get his hay. As he has no cage, the carrier can just be picked up and put in the room he's in

What you'll need : (cue Blue peter music!)
A standard carrier (I've got a plastic one), a deep-ish plastic tub (ice cream or similar)strong gaffa or carpet tape, and (optional) Velcro strips or 'coins', scissors, cardboard or carpet tile


Put the velcro at the back of the carrier, and doubled over tape in the middle


Put the cardboard or carpet tile in the front, stuck to the tape


Put the tub at the back, stuck to the velcro (for easy removal - if you haven't got any velcro, just use doubled up tape as before) and the inside looks like this...


Put tape over the lower vent holes, if your carrier has them - stops the hay coming out of the sides


Put your hay in


and pop the lid back on (optional - some buns may prefer it without)


If your carrier has a top that opens, this is really useful to refresh the hay. The tub can be pulled out to clean and for when you need to use it as a carrier. We have had no hay on the floor for 2 days now

WOW that is an awesome idea, I will have to give that a go

Excellent idea Jay. Might give that a go. You should take a patent out on that prototype.

Hope you used round-ended scissors and sticky back plastic in the best Blue Peter tradition.

Excellent idea as I can imagine that hay would be a nightmare all over the house.

That is absolutely fantastic You are awesome Jay xx

Awesome idea and extra awesome description/pics!

that's a niche the market that's been filled!! That's a brilliant idea!

Dragons Den, Jay!

Thats fantastic Jay....

Im going to attempt my own conversion this weekend...... I think its fab...

No idea how his lordship will feel though! ha ha ha

Brilliant

I've been inspired by Jay's creation and have finally been able to create something for my buns.

Hippo insists on pooping/peeing wherever the hay is... which means the hay must be in the litter box. I found that so much of the hay was being wasted because it would get soiled OR I would give them too little in attempt to not waste the hay. I've played around with different hay racks and locations, but all of them created such a huge mess.

I've finally created something that is working well. It's essentially just a NIC Square bent into a U shape and secured onto the litter box (in my case a high sided organizing bin) It was easy to make (I'm not very handy), it's easy to clean, it keeps the hay in one area of the litter box, it makes them "work" a little bit for the hay, and it means there is significantly less hay wasted (saves $$$). Yay!

If anyone wants instructions/more detailed pics I'll definitely do that.

I'm laughing at the pile of poo underneath Hippo's bum!

That is a fantastic solution to a messy guy.

What an excellent idea ElleyMay.

This is my favourite gizmo - it scrapes up hay and fur of the carpet brilliantly.

http://www.puddlepetcare.co.uk/acatalog/PETHAIRMAGENTS_main.jpg

Not good on knuckles and knnes tho