Conversion
By Genipher
@Genipher (5405)
United States
August 1, 2016 4:56pm CST
A friend gave us an old worktable. Well, actually I asked for it because I had this great vision:
I wanted to turn it into a rabbit hutch!
We have two rabbits right now. One of them is a Standard Rex, named Marshmallow. He's a big boy and was looking rather cramped in his 30"x 36" wire cage.
So when I found out our friends were moving and needed to unload this hefty piece of furniture, I gladly volunteered my buff hubby to transport the thing to our place.
It sat for a week or so before I went out and fleshed out my idea. At which point I realized I was going to need a lot of help.
I had imagined we'd just cut out a hole from one side of the structure to the other, slap on some chicken wire, and latch the back door. I thought it'd be easy peasy.
But is anything ever easy-peasy?
No.
At least not in our lives.
We began the conversion. And by "we" I mean "hubby". Because I had no idea what I was doing.
Embarrassing Fact #42: I don't know how to use an electric drill.
Hubby has tried to show me, over and over, but I just can't seem to "get" it. I managed to unscrew a couple of screws...which was extremely exciting! But if he were to ask me to do it again, I wouldn't know how to get that tool to work!
So hubby cut the hole. All he had was a drill attachment that cut out small holes and a hand saw. We don't have much in the way of "good" tools.
He sanded.
He hand-sawed a ramp and screwed pieces together and filled in gaps.
And then he laughed when I tried to staple-gun the chicken wire on. Because, admittedly, it looked like crap.
I tore off my shoddy work and let him completely take over.
I turned into the "nurse", handing him a screw or a hammer or a drill bit as he masterfully transformed the worktable into my vision.
And now it's done. And the bunny LOVES it. There are still a few "tweaks" it needs, but they're things that, ahem, "we" can work on over time.
Now my imagination is sparked and I'm wondering what other pieces of furniture "we" can convert into rabbit hutches. 
So...are you able to make your dream designs reality or do you need help bringing your visions to life?
So...are you able to make your dream designs reality or do you need help bringing your visions to life?13 people like this
11 responses
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
1 Aug 16
Looks good. How well does it handle the weather or is that even an issue?
2 people like this
@koopharper (7599)
• Canada
1 Aug 16
@Genipher Sounds like you've thought it through anyway. I used to build furniture and it usually isn't made to handle weather.
2 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
1 Aug 16
@koopharper
We're probably going to have to pull it into the carport during winter, then. sigh.
Why can't things just be easy? 
I'll have to figure out how to keep the poo side clean though...
I'll have to figure out how to keep the poo side clean though...3 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
1 Aug 16
Hubby said we should put it in the carport to get it out of the weather, but I didn't want to deal with trying to clean out that right, bottom side. Right now, all the poo goes straight to the grass. The plan is to move the hutch along every week or so. Like a rabbit tractor.
Anyway, it hasn't been rainy so we're good for another month or so. But eventually "we're" going to have to cover it with a tarp. Or maybe "we" can tack down some old roof shingles or something...
3 people like this
@moffittjc (128827)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Aug 16
"You" did a great job! Congrats, it looks awesome!
2 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
1 Aug 16
Thanks! I'm so proud of "our" work!
I told hubby we could start a side business of converting old furniture into rabbit hutches. I told him it would be so easy.
He just looked at me, all sweaty and tired.
This is not really his thing...which makes me appreciate his efforts even more!
I told hubby we could start a side business of converting old furniture into rabbit hutches. I told him it would be so easy.
He just looked at me, all sweaty and tired.
This is not really his thing...which makes me appreciate his efforts even more!3 people like this
@moffittjc (128827)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Aug 16
@Genipher Well, at least he was a good sport about it and finished the project to completion!
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@moffittjc
He goes above and beyond for me. Probably to avoid the nagging...I mean, 'cause he loves me! 
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (59645)
• Philippines
2 Aug 16
Awesome work there! You have an eye for turning old furniture into a DIY-masterpiece... and by 'you', I mean YOU!
2 people like this
@allen0187 (59645)
• Philippines
2 Aug 16
@Genipher well, if you have the time and the means to do so - go ahead!
Assuming, hubby is free as well to 'help' you with all these projects!
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@allen0187
We might have to do another one soon...we just got another rabbit. A female for our buck. We'll need a bigger cage for her and, eventually, space for their babies!
Hubby is not looking forward to the work ahead...
2 people like this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
2 Aug 16
@Genipher Glad to know '' you'' are such an expert.Poor hubby.May be he is regretting not exploring that wormhole when he had the chance.
1 person likes this
@silvermist (19701)
• India
3 Aug 16
@Genipher May be .let us hope so?Now which is your next urgent DIY project?
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
3 Aug 16
@silvermist
I'd reeeeally like another shelf on the wall for books. But I got "the look" last time I mentioned it.
I also have an old desk sitting in the garage that I'm tempted to try to convert into another rabbit hutch. But I'd probably sell it after the conversion because our rabbits are too big to live in it. It'd be better for a small-breed rabbit.
Or maybe guinea pigs.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
2 Aug 16
looks great! did y'all waterproof 't? i'd think that'd be key to keepin' 't from ruinin' :) the only way to get comfy with those gadgets (drills, saws, what've ya) 'tis to use 'em lots. repetition does wonders :D
i'd been makin' that 'nto a cuttin'/ironin'/storage cabinet fer my lil sewin' room. danged the luck i didn't catch wind'f this jewel first, eh? 
the past few years, i tell the hubs what i 'see', sometimes doodle him a pic'f such 'n he puts't together. sadly, this don't apply to him workin' 'n the exterior 'f the house, lol.
the past few years, i tell the hubs what i 'see', sometimes doodle him a pic'f such 'n he puts't together. sadly, this don't apply to him workin' 'n the exterior 'f the house, lol.1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@Genipher a brilliant idea :) i wish i'd a granddaughter young 'nough so's i could o'erhaul one'f those entertainment centers 'nto a lil kitchen 'r somethin', lol. 'r do 'way with the wee closet'n my 'pposed to be sewin' room'n use such fer storage there. when ya can't go out, ya go 'p, eh? lol
i hope that'cher hubs's the patience to let'cha learn how to use those tools, hon. comes'n mighty handy when they aint 'round 'n somethin' needs fixin'/made.
2 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
2 Aug 16
Hubby started insinuating that he was going to keep it for a work bench--it's intended purpose. I told him if we did that, I'd have to find something else for a rabbit hutch. So he gave up and in and turned it into the hutch. 
No, we haven't waterproofed it. There's still some work on the top that needs done. Just little odds and ends...
Yeah, I want to try some other projects. But next time, I'd like to have hubby tell me what to do and "observe" me so I can learn how to use the tools.
No, we haven't waterproofed it. There's still some work on the top that needs done. Just little odds and ends...
Yeah, I want to try some other projects. But next time, I'd like to have hubby tell me what to do and "observe" me so I can learn how to use the tools.1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
2 Aug 16
@crazyhorseladycx
That's what we did with our bookshelves...we went up with them.
I've heard gardeners do that, too!
Hey, a kid's kitchen is a great conversion idea! The kids almost took the hutch from me...they'd been playing in and on in it like a playground. They wanted to turn it into a fort...Mean mama wouldn't let them!
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
3 Aug 16
At one point I saw a couple of blogs that showed a crib being converted to a rabbit or chicken cage.
Now you just need a handyman or gal to help you out. Now anyone you could coerce into helping? Maybe you could bribe 'em with cookies or something...
@1hopefulman (45111)
• Canada
9 Aug 16
Your husband did a great job! Are you planning to go into the rabbit growing business?
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
2 Aug 16
I guess it depends on the "vision." If it entails any type of tool, I definitely enlist my husband. I'm a Tool Savant. If it's in the sewing world, I can pretty much handle it.
Cool rabbit hutch.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (22199)
• United States
3 Aug 16
That's cool. At least the bunny is happy.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
2 Aug 16
The finished product looks good. Congratulations to you and hubby.
1 person likes this
