Converting a shed for rabbits

Converting sheds or Wendy houses are a great way of providing a large sheltered enclosure for small pets like rabbits to use. They might be well suited to families who want to socialise with their small pets in comfort while being protected from wet or cold weather. If this is something you’re considering, you must first ensure they are suitable to be used for housing. They will need some improvements to make sure there’s sufficient ventilation, while keeping your rabbits safe and secure from any potential predators.

Before you start your project of converting a shed for rabbits, make sure it’s structurally sound, with no gaps, holes or rotting wood. The shed or Wendy house will also need to be placed on a hard-standing surface. Alternatively, you’ll need to install a solid floor to prevent your rabbits from digging and chewing. It will also provide a secure base so that predators like foxes can’t find their way in by digging.

Installing locks

Another upgrade to consider when converting a shed for rabbits is suitable locks. Installing locks will further ensure your rabbits stay safe and secure. Here are a few recommendations:

• Use sliding bolts on the outside of the door to keep it in place and secure.
• Place two bolts on the outside – one at the top and one at that bottom. This will ensure that there is no danger of any animals being able to push out and escape.
• Swivel latches should not be used as children and also predators can easily open these.

Sliding bolt & padlock on shed door

Providing fresh air

If you’re thinking about converting your shed for your rabbits’ accommodation, make sure it’s well ventilated to ensure a good flow of air throughout the year. This will help to prevent respiratory illnesses. Wooden sheds and wendy houses get very hot in the summer months, so having good ventilation can help in circulating this air.

Window ventilation on a shed

Here are some things you can do:

• Windows – replace any windows with small gauge welded mesh, attaching it to the inside of the window frame. Chicken wire is not suitable – predators can easily get through it and rabbits can chew through it.
• Inner mesh door – Create a wooden framed inner mesh door, using small gauge welded mesh. This allows you to leave the main shed or Wendy house door open throughout the day during the summer, without risk of your pets getting out or predators getting in.
• Or, create a stable door with an inner mesh door – Cut your main outside shed or Wendy house door along the middle to create a stable type door. This will allow you to keep the bottom section closed, whilst creating a wooden framed inner mesh door for the top half. You can then leave the top half of the main shed door open throughout the day without risk of your pets getting out or predators getting in.

Rabbit wendy house inner door

Adding insulation

To help keep your rabbits cosy in the winter months, it’s worth lining the walls of your shed or Wendy house with large sheets of wood or plywood with insulation in between. This will also prevent your pet rabbits from chewing the walls.

Stopping escapees!

Inevitably, pet rabbits will want to hop over to greet us at the door, and this can be tricky especially if you want to go in without them escaping. A simple and easy solution is to create a step over barrier. Secure this on the inside of the shed and their run across the bottom of the door frame – it will allow you enough time to get in and shut the door behind you to help prevent your rabbits from getting out.

Flooring

It is always a good idea to line the floor of the shed or Wendy house with something like lino – this will make it much easier to clean and prevent the floor from become urine stained and rotting.

Connecting a run and large enclosure

Connecting your shed or wendy house to a secure run is a great way of allowing your rabbits to safely and happily access two areas.

Tunnel connecting wendy house and run

There are a number of ways you can do this:

• Connect them using a tubing or tunnel system.
• Attach the run directly onto the shed or Wendy house using suitable wood screws and create a hole between the shed and run. Make sure this is big enough for your pet rabbits to easily walk through.
• Place the shed or Wendy house within a secure aviary, creating a hole in the shed large enough for your rabbits to easily walk through.

Read our article on how to house your rabbits and find out the ideal sized run or aviary for your pets.