A hay box is a specialized feeder that prevents animals from scattering hay throughout the cage. It is impossible to do without such a design if there are more than two rabbits in one place. These adaptations prevent animals from competing for food. There are several types of hay boxes for rabbits, each of which can be constructed with your own hands.
What types of hay feeders are there?
Senniks are divided into two types depending on the installation location: internal and external.The first design option is more popular, as it makes it easier to supply fresh hay to animals. Indoor feeders are more difficult to maintain. Such hay fields are located directly in the cage, which complicates the supply of new hay.
When organizing a feeder, you should take into account the peculiarities of keeping animals. If the rabbits’ place of residence does not allow organizing an external hay barn, it is necessary to make a hole in the cage through which fresh food can be poured.
Depending on the shape, the senniks are divided into the following types:
- nurseries;
- in the form of a gutter;
- bunkers;
- in the form of cups.
Recently, the V-shaped design has become widespread among breeders. Such products allow you to pour hay both inside and outside.
Nurseries
This design is intended for feeding hay to young animals. Nursery feeders hold two days' worth of food. This type of design makes it easier for young rabbits to access fresh hay. At the same time, animals cannot enter the nursery hay barns.
In the form of a gutter
Grooved structures are less popular than nursery ones. Such feeders are used to supply various types of feed and water. The grooved hay boxes are extended along one of the walls of the cage, making it easier for several rabbits to access the hay at the same time.
To make these structures, wood or old pipes are often used, cutting off part of the top from the latter.
Bunker
Bunker hay barns are built to supply grains or granulated vitamin supplements. Such feeders need to be refilled no more than three times a day. Bunker hay boxes consist of two parts: the upper one, presented in the form of a vertical tank with a hole, and the lower tray.Thanks to the special design, the grains enter the feeder gradually.
In the form of cups
These designs are not practical. This is due to the fact that such senniks are presented in the form of a cup made of plastic or ceramics. Feeders of this type do not hold enough food to meet the daily requirement of rabbits. In addition, animals often knock over the feeder.
How to make a hay box for rabbits with your own hands
During production rabbit feeders It must be taken into account that the hay barns must meet the following requirements:
- the volume corresponds to (or exceeds) the daily food intake of rabbits;
- There is a fine-mesh mesh in the bottom, which prevents contamination of the feed;
- The product is easy to clean:
- no sharp edges;
- rabbits cannot chew the material.
It is recommended to install the hay barns in such a way as to ensure constant access to food for all rabbits.
What will you need?
Regardless of the type of structure chosen, the hay sheds are made of slate, wood (plywood), steel or tin. The latter material is preferable for feeders. Tin is durable, easy to clean and does not deteriorate from animal teeth. This material is also easier to process.
With that said, to create your own hay barn, it is recommended to prepare:
- hacksaw and metal scissors;
- hammer;
- screwdriver;
- self-tapping screws;
- marker with tape measure;
- drill.
In addition to tin, to make a hay barn you will need a fine mesh, which is laid on the bottom of the structure. If necessary, you can create a trough feeder by cutting off part of the plastic pipe.
Let's start production
The algorithm for constructing a canopy depends on the type of structure chosen.To make a nursery feeder, it is enough to cut one rectangular and 2 triangular segments from a sheet of plywood or tin (must have the same dimensions) and connect the resulting fragments into a single structure. After this, the sennik needs to be secured to the wall of the cage.
To make a trough feeder you will need:
- Cut a piece 30 millimeters long from a 110 mm plastic pipe.
- Using a marker, draw 2 parallel lines at a distance of 13 millimeters from each other along the pipe.
- Draw 2 more perpendicular lines at a distance of 20 millimeters in the center of the resulting segment.
- First, cut the pipe along the first marks, and then along the second.
- The cut pieces are then heated using a heat gun and glued to the sides of the gutter, forming a feeder.
To create a bunker structure, it is also recommended to take a plastic pipe. The feeder is made as follows:
- You need to cut 2 fragments from the pipe, 30 and 70 centimeters long.
- A piece is cut off from one side of the short part to form a gutter.
- The part cut off from a short fragment is heated with a hair dryer and, using scissors, a plug is cut out that will cover the end.
- A 90-degree bend is placed on top of the long fragment, and a gutter is placed on the bottom.
After this, the bunker is secured by placing the chute in an easily accessible place.
Other interesting ideas
If it is not possible to make the above products, you can take a cardboard box and cut off one side. This solution will be temporary, as rabbits will quickly chew the material. Instead of the above structures, you can use a plastic bucket or basin. These containers also need to cut off one side. A bag holder can serve as a nursery feeder.
