I always felt so bad for the poor bunnies in small cages; it just isn't fair. Looking at rabbits from a zoological aspect their function is obvious. First, they are meant to be fast. For those of you who have ever had to try to catch a rabbit reluctant to return to the confines of their cage you can attest to the fact that they are (generally) very fast. They can run away for longer than you can chase them. Secondly, since they are a prey species in the wild, they have to have a way to hide when they are not running. Rabbits are burrowers and like to dig and hide. How does a cage that is a mesh wire box of 2 feet by 1 foot by one foot meet any of these needs? The answer: It Doesn't!
It is easy to imagine that a cage that is 4' x 4' x 2' would have endless opportunities for creation. In this cage our bunnies are able to run, jump, climb, hide and burrow to their little hearts' content!
Below is a picture of the Bunny kingdom we have created. A key for the meaning of the arrows is below the picture.
The Red Arrows are the places that the bunnies can go. The Colored Dots indicate indicate entrance or exit to the same area/ opening/ compartment. For example, the "spiral staircase" on the right is indicated by Green Dots and the drawer for the litterbox is indicated by Pink Dots.
~ 1 willing, brain-washed "boyfriend" to do the heavy lifting and hard work
~ 1,000,000 dollars in cash (10's and 20's)
~ 2 tons of of wood as follows:
* 1/2 ton of 2' x 4' x 1/2" sheet wood
* 1 ton of 2' x 4' x 1/4" sheet wood
* 1/2 ton miscelaneous, including "base boards" for carpet
~ 1,000 sq. ft. of carpet.
~ 134.2 ft. plastic hose
~ 81 of each: knobs, hinges, screwdrivers, and various latches
~ 2,091,099 "L-shaped" brackets
~ 5,272 screws (various sizes)
~ 1 Monsterous Saw (jigsaw prefferable)
~ 2 boxes of bandaids
Procedure
***Note:There is no need to buy all of these things before starting. The best idea is to just start with a few things and make trips to Lowe's as needed. This is advantageous for three reasons: 1) who can carry two tons of wood at one time? 2) You are going to need to come back later *anyways* 3) It seem much cheaper if you buy everything in small increments.
1) Start building the "shell" of the cage using screws, L-brackets, and some wood. Be sure to use the Monsterous Saw as often as possible, especially if it is Sunday or any day of the week after 9:30 pm.
2) Make a trips to Lowe's a minimum of three times every two days.
3) Measure everything twice, cut four times.
4) Measure, Measure, Cut, Insert and screw into place, Cuss, Remove, Measure, Cut, Re-insert and screw into place, Cuss, Remove again, Measure, Cut, Measure, CUSS!, Break uncooperative piece of wood....
5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 every two days.
6) Declare what will happen to the rabbit of he/she does not like the cage.
7) Refuse to use bandaids because *using* them means you are hurt.
8) Use Monsterous Saw for no apparent reason.
9) Repeat steps 1 through 8 until cage is complete.
Warnings
* Do not appempt to construct under the influence of alcohol!
** During the construction of the cage, do not open " neighborly gifts" or eat anything given to you by the neighbors that you have not seen them eat first!
(Left)The Bunny Castle