Sizes of senniks for rabbits and how to make a do-it-yourself feeder

A sennik is a specialized feeder that prevents animals from scattering hay throughout the cage. It is impossible to do without such a design if more than two rabbits are kept in one place. These devices prevent animals from competing for food. There are several varieties of rabbit senniks, each of which can be designed with your own hands.

What are hay feeders

Senniki are divided into two types depending on the installation location: internal and external. The first design option is more popular as it facilitates the supply of fresh hay to the animals. Internal feeders are more difficult to maintain. Such senniks are located directly in the cage, which complicates the supply of new hay.

When organizing a feeder, one should take into account the peculiarities of keeping animals. If the place where the rabbits live does not allow organizing an external sennik, a hole must be made in the cage through which fresh food can be poured.

Depending on the shape, senniks are divided into the following types:

• nursery;
• in the form of a gutter;
• bunker;
• in the form of cups.

Recently, the V-shaped design has become widespread among breeders. Such products allow you to pour hay both from the inside and outside.

Nursery

This design is intended for feeding hay to young growth. Nursery feeders hold a two-day feed rate. This type of construction makes it easier for young rabbits to have access to fresh hay. At the same time, animals cannot get into the nursery.

In the form of a gutter

Grooved designs are less popular than nurseries. Such feeders are used for feeding various types of feed and water. The grooved senniks are elongated along one of the cage walls, making it easier for several rabbits to access the hay at the same time.

For the manufacture of these structures, wood or old pipes are often used, cutting off part of the top from the latter.

Bunker

Bunker senniks are constructed to supply grains or granular vitamin supplements. These feeders need to be filled no more than three times a day. Hopper senniks consist of two parts: the upper one, presented in the form of a vertical tank with an opening, and the lower chute. Thanks to the special design, the grains enter the trough gradually.

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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 ceramic. This type of feeder does not hold enough feed to meet the daily requirement of rabbits.In addition, animals often overturn the feeder.

How to make a DIY rabbit hanger

When making feeders for rabbits, it must be borne in mind that senniks must meet the following requirements:

• the volume corresponds (or exceeds) the daily diet of rabbits;
• a fine mesh is provided in the bottom, which prevents contamination of the feed;
• the product is easy to clean:
• there are no sharp edges;
• rabbits cannot chew on material.

It is recommended to install the senniki so that all rabbits have constant access to food.

What do you need?

Regardless of the type of construction chosen, senniks are made of slate, wood (plywood), steel or tin. The latter material is preferred for feeders. The tin is durable, easy to clean and does not deteriorate from animal teeth. Also, this material is easier to process.

With that said, to create your own sennik, it is recommended to prepare:

• hacksaw and scissors for metal;
• a hammer;
• screwdriver;
• self-tapping screws;
• marker with tape measure;
• drill.

In addition to tin, for the manufacture of a sennik, a fine mesh is required, which is laid on the bottom of the structure. If necessary, you can create a trough feeder by cutting off a piece of plastic pipe.

We start manufacturing

The construction algorithm for the sennitsa depends on the type of construction 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 that, the sennik must be fixed on the cage wall.

To make a trough feeder, you will need:

1. Cut off a 30 mm long piece from a 110 mm plastic pipe.
2. With a marker, draw 2 parallel lines at a distance of 13 millimeters from each other along the pipe.
3. Apply 2 more perpendicular lines in the center of the resulting segment at a distance of 20 millimeters.
4. First cut the pipe at the first marks, and then at the second.
5. The cut pieces are then heated with a hot air gun and glued to the sides of the trough to form a feeder.

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To create a bunker structure, it is also recommended to take a plastic pipe. The feeder is made as follows:

1. From the pipe you need to cut 2 fragments 30 and 70 centimeters long.
2. On one side of the short part, a piece is cut to form a groove.
3. The part cut off from the short fragment is heated with a construction hairdryer and with the help of scissors a plug is cut out, which will close the end.
4. A 90-degree bend is put on top of a long fragment, and a groove is placed on the bottom.

After that, the hopper 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 one side. This decision will be temporary, as the rabbits will quickly chew the material. Instead of the above designs, you can use a plastic bucket or basin. These containers also need to cut off one side. A bag holder can be used as a nursery feeder.