Rabbits on wire bottom cage?(PICS ADDED)

[thebritt]

Untreated drywall is an excellent spot to sit (about a 1'X1' square). They chew on it, pull off the paper, and wear down their teeth by chewing. (which grow continuously throughout their lives). Also provides calcium. It's a good thing!

 

[Duck Keeper]

Is gypsum the same as calcium? ;

I thought that's what drywall was made of...


If you did do that, you would probably want to make sure that the piece you used wasn't the waterproof kind for bathrooms. I would think it might have weird chemicals to inhibit mold growth.

 

[DiVon80]

Quote:
I would get 1/2" ply wood and cut it in 1 foot square pieces or larger for bigger breeds. Check the size of you door. and put 1 in each cage-something for them to rest on and chew. Eventually heavier breeds and rex will get sore hocks from being on wire. If they potty on it pills will roll off peepee you may rince them or flip over. I did keep my rabbits outside. They make lots of pee. Also cut up untreated 2x4 for chewing. Always untreated. Sore hocks are not fun.

 

[FarmGirl01]

Used all wire for years. But I always gave them a place to sit on. I used untreated wood boards for a sitting area.

 

[Holly O]

I have a corner of my 1/2 inch wire cage, with straw in it. for them to make a nest. My bunny stays outside year round, I'll add more straw in the winter to help insulate against cold and drafts. I clean it once a week tho'. I also move the hutch depending on the season. So he is more comfortable.

I also provide a chewing block for him to gnaw on, for his teeth.

He's a happy little guy and friendly. Loves to be picked up and snuggled ..lol and I'm working on potty training him to use a litter box.

 

[chinbunny]

Lyon, that comment was kind of rude. Wire cages do not hurt a rabbit at all. they barely put any pressure on their back feet while sitting on it. In fact many of mine will plop on it like they are very comfortable.

I agree that those bunnies are too young to be away from their momma. Young bunnies should never be sold before they are four weeks old. I would suggest getting your next rabbits from a good breeder next time. Someone that can tell you how old they are, what breed, what they are mixed with, if they are pedigreed, showable, etc. And always ask the person selling them a lot of questions. And especially at a swap meet. You wouldn't believe the amount of animals with problems people will try to slip past you at one of those places. Normally they are not regulated. They let you sell anything, of any kind, at any age at them. You just got to learn to sort the good breeders from the bad at them.

Since you are interested in rabbits, I highly suggest getting involved with purebred animals, and showing them at rabbit shows. www.arba.net. Good site. Also great for beggining rabbit owners and breeders. Look under the faq section on the right hand corner of the site. ARBA shows can also be an excellent learning experience. You learn to show, and compete your breeds against other breeders within the same breed. Most of the breeders and judges are really nice,and shoul dbe willing to answer any questions you have. There are over 47 different breeds to chose from at these shows. Most are very popular. Whike some are extremely rare.

Also abut towels. don't use them. Not only will the rabbits pee all over them, but they can injest them. it can block their intestines and kill them.

 

[Goldlaced_Girl]

I have bred purebred Mini Lops, grand champions, blah blah blah.. .for years. I have always kept the on all wire, it's MUCH better for their backs and legs, much more comfortable for their feet than being in dirty shavings. They will get burns on their feet. And don't flame me for saying I'm a breeder, our average is less than 2 litters per year and we usually have show homes lined up for them already.

 

[Goldlaced_Girl]

oh, and yes give them straw/hay in a corner, much more comfortable than blocks of wood. if you can, turn them out one at a time in a run. We have a big dog kennel tha we use

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I would keep the board in the cage. That way it will give it a place to rest off of the wire so as not to develop sore hocks. With my rabbits I get wire that is just bigger than their poop size so it can fall through but isn't too wide where the pads on the paws can't keep rubbing in between the grids.

 

[redhen]

I put ceramic tile down when i had a wire bottom cage.. I left some wire and some tile...the tile was real easy to clean..you just take them out and wash them ,very easy...

Nw we have vinyl flooring down in the cage we made..with hay on top of it..it works very well. I was worried about him eating the vinyl..but he hasnt...so far..