C&C Help us save the cage!

[HappyHopperz]

After all the excitement in building and gathering supples to complete the new bunny condo, now I just feel very discouraged and like all the compliments were fake. Ever since I moved in the cage into its spot a few days ago, almost all of my family members have hated me for just trying to provide the best for my animals.

Ever since I found this site and became part of it in July, I have been very busy researching cage designs and what worked best for other members and their cages. After saving millions of cage pictures on my iPad, and saving up, I bought my first kit from a lady off Craigslist who provided 29 of the "bad" grids, 17 of the "good" grids, white coroplast, and plastic mats all for $60. Finding it was it was not enough, I needed more to construct the design I had in mind. I was very busy at the time, so I waited awhile and ceased construction to focus more on other things. In the meantime I had washed and cleaned all the connectors, coroplast, grids and everything the lady gave me.

Then also came along our second bunny, Snicker, who also delayed the progress.

About a month ago, my dad and I went out and purchased a 3.5 w by 4.5 l ft piece of plywood and casters. He helped me screw it to the plywood to make the cage mobile. (I designed the layout all by myself). We later then put the coroplast together so the base was done.

The rest was up to me. (I had I the meantime bought a few more boxes of good and bad grids) With more "bad" grids than knowing what to do with, I compromised and overlapped them to make them safe and secured it with cable ties. My design was to make a bunny condo, housing both the unneutered bunnies on separate levels each two grids high. It looks like this.

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You can see the two separate cages in the sketch above.
I had moved Skippy in while constructing the upper level and he loved it! I moved in Snicker yesterday and my mom hates the cage. She thinks it should be thrown out. She really dislikes the look and size of it. That really hurts my feelings as I paid for everything and spent most of my time constructing it. She wants to have the neighbors over (who aren't pet savvy) and see their opinion in it. If they agree I've apparently "gone off my rocker" as she says they the cage will have to go.

I told her I would gather my own opinions here an show them to her. I've only tried to provide the best welfare for my animals and conserve space.

Skippy's level (lower) is complete (I know he needs hay). Snicker's level needs fleece and toys. I have since then been forced to remove all of my bunny supplies in the indented area on the top level, so it's all bare now. The plastic and boards are up because Snicker, our top level resident, sprays urine occasionally. He is getting neutered soon though.

What I need as a favor is a big response in favor of keeping the cage or any suggestions to solve the issue. It'll keep them out of pet store cages, and have binkying bunnies Sorry for my ramble, but I care more about my pets than anything else and I always want the best for them. Thank you! <3

Some pictures of the bunnies enjoying the cage.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

Are you planning on introducing the boys once you have them neutered? Do the bunnies get floor time?

One thing I have done with my rabbit C&C Cage is to have a door that I can leave open, so the bunnies can come and go at will.

Your cage is nice and roomy, as long as the buns get ample floor time. As I mentioned on another thread, if you put something to give a bit more support for the top level so it doesn't sag, it would look better to your mom, I bet.

 

[HappyHopperz]

Yes, I am planning to bond them once they are neutered. No, they do not get indoor floor time because Skippy pees on the carpet (and we already have multiple pee stains) and while Snicker does great with it, sprays me whenever I try to bring him back to his cage. After that happened twice, I stopped bringing him out, at least until he gets neutered.
I do excercise them outdoors though, and allow them to run around on nice days. Also our family room isn't exact ally bunny proofed yet, and the carpet is REALLY old and stained, so I don't see why my dad has an issue with them on it.

 

[HappyHopperz]

Also, my dad and I are planning on adding some support posts between the levels for stability, but we haven't has the chance to accomplish that yet.

 

[lissie]

Other than the size, what else does you mom not like about the cage?
For the storage part on the top, can you cover it up? Maybe with a table cloth or a curtain.
You might need to use more zip ties to make the grids line up together. I see some gaps in them.

 

[madelineelaine]

I think the cage is good for two buns, and it does use the least space. It's an animal cage, it isn't going to look fantastic.

 

[HappyHopperz]

She just doesn't like the size, but it's the least I can go. They both need a stacked cage, as we have no other room because of the new guinea girls. She just doesn't like the look of it, and thinks it is embarrassing to show guests. There's no reason to cover the storage area, as I've already been forced to move all of the supplies off it.

 

[PigPandemonium]

Your mom is embarrassed to show of to guests that you're an amazing human being by taking care of your animals well? Doesn't make much sense to me, however maybe there can be some things done to make your family accept it. Maybe make it a little more colorful, and match your house a little more? You could take some fabric that is the color of the couch and line the outside of the coro with it. maybe have the fleece match the color of your floor, and things like that. I think this would help it to blend in more instead of standing out and yelling... "Hey! Huge bunny cage right here!"

 

[HappyHopperz]

I'll have to show her your post Pig, because that was worth a lot

 

[pinky]

Get some 2x2's and put them under the upper level to level it. Add some thicker zip ties to any section of the grids that has a gap. The more zip ties, the sturdier it'll be. Make sure the zip ties are pulled tightly and that'll help level it. Get a couple of color coordinated fleece pieces that complement the color scheme in the room to put on the floor of each level. Replace the piece of coroplast that has printing on it with something solid. If it's too much of an expense for coroplast, you can probably get foam board instead. Just make sure the rabbits don't eat it. You've got all the basics right. It just needs some tweeking and it'll look perfect.

 

[mmas4]

I also don't understand. Everyone thinks Im crazy and they think its a waste of space but I absolutely love showing off all my cages. It would be embarassing if they lived in tiny cages.
Is your plan on getting them neuterd, bonded and litter trained so they can have floor time? If so you can let your mom know its temporary. If they get floor time they can live on a single level so it wont be as big.

 

[HappyHopperz]

Yes, that is my plan. I may in the future move them to my room and give them free range once they are fully trained, so it is only temporary.