Ideal housing
If I can only make one point, it would be that the bigger the enclosure is, -the better! When looking to house your pet, please don’t go to the closest petshop and listen to a salesperson whose job it is to sell stock rather than point you in the right direction. I have seen hutches sold for two rabbits that could barely house a rat! If you have a handyman in the family, may be a good idea to be nice to him/her as many home projects can turn out to be cost effective. It’s also a good idea to be inventive. If closing your veranda is an option, perhaps this would make the perfect bunny play area? Childrens cubby houses can also be converted, as well as unused aviaries or catteries into magnificent homes for bunnies and guinea pigs. Although the initial cost can be great, it is an investment with long-term benefits. Large hutches are much easier to clean than small ones, need to be done less often, and are spacious which animals are sure to love. Below is a good example of an outdoor set-up: ebay.
Example of a good outdoor cage.
This could comfortably house 3-4 bunnies, or 5-6 guinea pigs. You can look around e-bay for best prices, or order direct from manufacturers and have it sent out to you. For rabbits, it is a good idea to staple mosquito netting to the outside (not on the inside of the cage as bunnies love to chew it) as even if your rabbit is vaccinated against calici virus, myxamatosis (for which the government does not allow a vaccine into Australia) is still abundant and has fatal effects should a mosquito transmit the virus. Click here to read more about myxamatosis and to sign to have a vaccine brought into Australia.
If you’re looking for an indoor cage, a good thing to look for are the plastic based cages with wire tops. They allow good ventilation, and are easy to clean and disinfect. Make sure they have a hutch inside so they have somewhere cozy to go into or hop onto.
Indoor wire/plastic cage.
An alternate and cost-effective indoor cage which is becoming more popular are made by purchasing C&C grids from Bunnings, and attaching them together to form walls to the inside cage. Corflute can be cut to fit the base (making sure you leave enough to fold up and make sides so bedding doesn’t fall out). Corflute can sometimes be obtained for free as offcuts from Bunnings. This housing style allows you to use your imagination and to configure the shape to suit your house. It is a relatively easy project that doesn’t require a great deal of skill.
C&C grids from Bunnings. Image from http://www.guineapigcages.com/
Like what you have read? You can follow Porsche on Twitter or read more articles.
