Volume 5, Issue 2 - May 2005

Bunny Diversions: Playing Outdoors in the Summer Sun
by Judith Hopper and Kay Fritzsche

During the summer, we like to give our bunnies some outdoor time but often struggle with the related dangers. Please keep the following cautions in mind before you let your bunnies play outdoors:

  1. NEVER leave your bunnies unattended, even for a minute! Predators are fast!
  2. Make sure that the grass treatments that have been applied to your lawn and/or trees are non-toxic.
  3. If your bunnies have free run in your entire yard, make sure that they cannot dig out beneath or squeeze through the fencing. (Note: Oftentimes, bunnies will find a hidden area under the bushes, and unbeknownst to you, will slowly excavate a tunnel. Consequently, it is important to inspect the perimeter of your property prior to releasing them to determine if there are any gaps in the fence that would permit escape and to watch for any subsequent tunneling activity. Better yet, construct a predator and escape proof enclosure.)

Loving Life Outdoors (Under Mom's Watchful Eye)
Judith Hopper’s lucky bunnies have a deluxe outdoor living space. Judith explains:

Outdoor EnclosureI only leave the bunnies out when the weather is good and I AM HOME. They seem to like the ramp, shelves and munching on the grass. I move the pens each time I put them out. If it is going to be a hot day, I also position it so that there is some shade available.

Outdoor EnclosureThe enclosure basically took a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood and enough hardware cloth to go around the sides and on the bottom. I used larger hardware cloth on the bottom so they can eat the grass through it. It is important to make a bottom on the enclosure to prevent digging out or for security should the pen tip over. It is also best to make the enclosure no more than 3' x 8' otherwise it becomes too heavy to transport. A smaller version is easier to move around without wheels. The materials should cost about $125.00.

Materials:

  • 1 sheet 1/4" plywood - Cut to 3’ x 8’ and in half for 2 tops
  • 2 x 2’s - Cut as follows: four - 8’ long, six - 36” long, six - 3’ long
  • Hardware cloth -1" x 2” mesh (desired height) 22’ for cage sides
  • Hardware cloth - larger diameter mesh for bottom
  • Hasps, hinges, snaps for tops, dowels for handle
  • Left over plywood and 2 x 2’s for sitting shelf and ramp

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