Cabinet Conversion Thread

After much searching, I finally found the cabinet I plan to convert into a hutch, and I got it for $24 because today was half off day at the thrift store!

It's 4' long x 2.5' deep x 3.5' tall.

Hoping to get all the doors and hardware pulled out tonight after the boys go to bed and figure out what I'm going to need for shelves.

This may (or may not) give you some ideas...
It shows how we converted a kitchen oven cabinet.

End of day 1.

I have my doors planned out, and know how I'm going to do the shelves. Tomorrow I'm going to pick up lumber and start building!

Day 2

Got a ton done today. Got shelf supports in, the doors generally aligned, recovered the top, built up the base, and added legs. I'm hoping the weather holds out to paint tomorrow.

Wow, it's really coming along! Very impressive repurposing of an old cabinet.

Day 4

Yesterday I did the first coat of paint, so didn't take pictures. Today, I did a second coat of paint, built the shelves, wallpapered the back piece, hung the back piece, and moved it into the house. I'm really liking it so far. Tomorrow I plan to put the vinyl on the bottom and the levels, and hang the doors.

Additional exciting news, we go to our initial meet and greet for the bonded pair we are hoping to adopt!

Difficult to grasp perspective. What is the height between each of the 3 levels?

Floor to the first and first to second are both 13", second to ceiling is 16". The second level shelf is only solid part of the way across so it's more of a half shelf. I had to keep the frame around the edge for structural reasons.

I used this cage as my example/template.

Are they going to be confined to the hutch or will they have the liberty to come and go as they please? If confined to it for any lengths of time, they really need to have enough space to stand up (periscope) on at *least* one of the levels. If they're free roam (or have an attached run w/x-pens or something that they've got 24/7 access to) then it's ok that the levels are so short... otherwise, you may want to rethink the setup.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/guide_size.asp
https://bunnyapproved.com/indoor-rabbit-housing/
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/housing-options.html

Edit: just saw the template cage you were looking it... you'll notice that the third level is only a half level and there's a section of the cage where bunny can stand up and stretch.

Right. That's why the top shelf only goes part way across. I guess I could make the hole bigger if that's the issue, but I can't take the shelves out or move them without tearing everything apart. The opening is about the same as 2 nic panels (14" across by 24" deep) I didn't want to make it too much bigger because I didn't want the shelf to sag.

I guess I didn't realize that the height would be an issue since all the nic cage levels are at roughly 12-14 and that seems to be fine. I was trying to balance providing them space and not having to put in ramps. Sigh.

Yeah, ramps definitely take up too much space. On my NIC condos, I've always done the bottom floor as 2 grids high... middle floor, if I do three, has been 1 or 1.5 grids in the past (I've done a couple 3x3 condos that were 5 grids high and 3 stories, also a 2x4 that was 5 high/3 stories and currently have a 3x6 that's 4 grids high and 2 stories). As I said, what you have is fine as long as they're not stuck in it... and there's nothing you can build in that approximate size/shape that wouldn't have the same need for running around space (even my ginormous 3x6 condo requires daily running around time outside of it). The links I provided give some examples and further info about total space needed and how to set up a run. The general rule of thumb for rabbits is *either* 60 square feet of space OR at least 2-3 hours a day of free range time.

RoseBun1 said:

Right. That's why the top shelf only goes part way across. I guess I could make the hole bigger if that's the issue, but I can't take the shelves out or move them without tearing everything apart. The opening is about the same as 2 nic panels (14" across by 24" deep) I didn't want to make it too much bigger because I didn't want the shelf to sag.

I guess I didn't realize that the height would be an issue since all the nic cage levels are at roughly 12-14 and that seems to be fine. I was trying to balance providing them space and not having to put in ramps. Sigh.

Click to expand...

Looks workable to me-- along with their time out of course. The shelf spacing is just fine (though it would be nice to see the top shelf a few inches smaller (to make the opening larger). The template you used has that opening equal to 4 nic panels. That just gives the bunny a more open feel above them and can encourage that stretching. The shelf placements are fine.

It will be gorgeous when complete from what we've seen so far.

Day 6

I finally had some time to work on the hutch. I did open the hole in the top shelf another 8 inches. I got the vinyl all in. I really like how it looks. If I ever stop using this for rabbits it would make a super cute shelf.

Hopefully I'll get the doors on tomorrow.

Looking good!

No hutch updates. I'm working on the doors, but I have a bunny update.

I found out today that we cannot adopt a rabbit because even at the size the hutch is and with attaching an x pen to it, it is too small and "unacceptable for any bunny to be in there for any length of time." The minimum requirement is 6 x 4 and "no enclosure of any type is ever acceptable for a rabbit." Even after explaining that having them in the hutch would only happen when we were gone until we were sure the dog is trained, it is still unacceptable.

Maybe I should just turn it into a shelf and not do this at all.

Don't give up if you really want a bun. I would just find another rabbit in need of a home from somewhere else. Some rescues have very strict requirements, even a bit unreasonable in some instances, but there's nothing you can do about it besides going by their requirements or getting your rabbit from someone else.

I agree with JBun. You could try checking Craigslist, and that way the people on there won't have unreasonable requirements. If this is really what you want, don't give up now. Keep looking.

Does this seem unreasonable? I can't tell if I'm just being overly emotional or if it is just dumb. Here is the image she sent me of a "proper setup" It's smaller then what they would have with the hutch and x pen, and I'm not comfortable using those foam pieces because so many people have had issues with chewing.

If your rabbit will get lots of time outside of the cage, I don't see a problem with your cage idea. That cage they sent you is massive and let's be honest: no one has enough space for that. My rabbit's new cage is 4 feet by 4 feet and that's big enough for him. He is free roam at the moment but when his friend comes home, they both will get 12 hours of playtime.

If the rescue is this strict about the cage, imagine how strict they will be about the actual adoption.