I was finishing up the Rabbit Hutch project for my neighbor and was getting some final footage for the video when I saw him break out some new feeders. He saw me look at them funny.
He says, "Oh yeah, these are the feeders we like to use. They are only about $12 at the local pet shop."
He misinterpreted my look. I was thinking, "That gives me a great idea for my next project."
As I was thinking about how to do it, I had a thought. Those who may want to build their own cheap (free) rabbit feeder may not be woodworkers.
So I kept the design simple and easy, yet functional.
DIY: Rabbit Feeder (Automatic)
The front, back and bottom pieces are 5" wide. This was an arbitrary measurement that was easily achieved by simply gluing a 1x4 and a 1x2 together. It was the easiest solution for me. So the first step is to glue those pieces together if that is the way you decide to go.
However, not everyone will be interested in doing so.
1x6 material is actually 5.5" wide. You can substitute edge glued material for 1x6 material in a pinch if needed.
In fact, the cutting diagram on the viewable plans is actually listed at the 1x6 material width. You can trim the excess half inch or you can leave it and assemble the project using the dimensions of your material.
Obviously, if you do the latter, be mindful of the slight change in a few of the other measurements that will need to be made.
What is with the angled inside piece?
We need a piece to go inside the feeder in order to direct the food toward the front of the feeder. Without this piece in place some of the food will sit in the bottom back corner and may never get used without our intervention.
How do I know? Simple. I built one without it and that is exactly what happens. It is not a huge issue if you do not want to go through the trouble of cutting this piece. When you refill the rabbit feeder, make sure to pick it up and shake the last of the food forward into the front bowl before refilling.
You used a table saw. I don't have a table saw. Can I still build this?
Indeed I used a table saw as you are able to see in the video. However, a hand saw will do just as well.
I have never cut a 45 degree angle before.?.?.
Do not get caught up in the perfection of a 45 degree angle cut. It has been made to sound difficult and intimidating by the powers that be in the woodworking community. Why? Because the glory is ours, ALL OURS. You can't have none so don't even try...
It doesn't have to be this way. So don't let it be.
In this situation the accuracy of the angle is not as important as just ensuring all the food will be shuttled toward the front bowl and eaten.
Simply mark a line at an angle on one edge of your workpiece and stay as close as your abilities will allow you to that line.
Simple and easy!!
DUDE!! I don't have a router either?!?!
Projects are always nicer by simply making the corners a little softer to the hands. I rounded over the edges with a round over bit in my router table.
You could also just use a piece of sandpaper and run it over the corners until it meets your satisfaction. The more you do it the more rounded the edges will become.
While you are at it you can go ahead and sand the whole project until smooth to the touch.
Hay is obviously an important component of a rabbits diet. Adding a spot to stuff some hay is a simple extra step. I used some chicken wire that I had laying around and attached with some 5/8 inch narrow crown staples. Our rabbit can simply eat the hay right throw the openings in the wire.
If you don't have a stapler like the one I used no problem. You can use a simple hand powered staple gun with whatever staples you happen to have laying around.
Final Thoughts
Our rabbit feeder lasts about 3 days with one rabbit if we fill it to the top.
The hay bundle not as long.
I suppose a larger hay bundle area could be in order by simply using a larger piece of chicken wire.
As always if you have any questions feel free. Don't forget to find me on Facebook and Pinterest. Check out my YouTube channel for lots of project videos. I try to post a new video each week so don't forget to subscribe for regular updates.
Happy DIY'ing
Nice simple project and easy Tony detest and instructions and plan.
ReplyDeletePDF Instructions looked straight forward. Blog update was pretty cool. When you get to the alternate tools to use if you don't have a.... You should put that under a separate header of the same font size as the "DIY: Rabbit Feeder (Automatic)". This would show a clean cut from the project description and the how to's and why for's.
ReplyDeleteI like it, instructions are straight forward.
ReplyDeletehow can you dowload
ReplyDeleteHope you used untreated wood!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNope and I sprayed it with arsenic...Bwahahahaha!!!!! Just kidding. That's kind of a silly comment.
DeleteI follow the untreated wood recommendation, but to be quiet truthful my rabbits chew on anything: doors, skirting boards, clothes props, out door furniture, fencing, electric wires, yard brushes, garden tools, rags, cage wire, plastic everything, - Jesus, my boots if I stand still long enough, but my only deaths (3) was from periwinkle; an innocuous looking garden plant. I thought the dealer had sold me diseased rabbits. Three deaths on three consecutive mornings. The only one that survived was the one I put in solitary confinement for being unsociable, fighting, and bad language. I still have him to this day. I release them in my yard one at a time for exercise, and I have to be on constant periwinkle patrol because weed killer is impossible as it is intertwined amongst the other plants, (for years) and I can't kill one without the others. I think what I'm trying to say is poisonous plant ignorance kills more bunnies than treated wood. Unless you "sprayed it with arsenic...Bwahahahaha!!!!!"
ReplyDelete