Hilke House with built-in Hay Rack 40 cm

Trixie House Hilke with built-in Hay Rack 40 cm

The Trixie Hilke House with built-in Hay Rack 40 cm is a smart wooden house for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits. It combines a sheltered resting place with a practical hay rack, allowing your pet to shelter peacefully and eat hay in one fixed spot. This makes this house especially handy for owners who want to create a neat hay area without a separate rack next to the house.

The house has an open bottom, two entrances and exits, and a removable roof. You can easily refill or refresh the hay through the roof. The two passageways give your animal a better overview and freedom of choice, as a second route is always available. This is pleasant for social animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits, especially when they live together in an enclosure or run.

Pros of the Trixie House Hilke

✔ House and hay rack in one convenient design
✔ Removable roof for easy hay refilling and checking
✔ Two entrances, pleasant for social animals and escape routes
✔ Open bottom, allowing the house to fit directly on the bedding
✔ Made of natural wood with a rustic look
✔ Flat roof as an additional part of the layout when the house is stable

Why choose a cottage with a built-in hay rack?

For guinea pigs and rabbits, hay is an important part of their daily routine. They eat small amounts throughout the day and often spend a lot of time at their hay spot. With the Trixie House Hilke, you instantly turn that hay spot into a sheltered resting zone as well.

The built-in hay rack helps to offer hay more efficiently in one place. As a result, it is less likely to end up scattered throughout the enclosure. The hay remains more organized, and it is easier to see when it needs to be replenished or replaced. A fixed combination of a hiding place and a hay area can work very well, especially for guinea pigs, as they enjoy eating while sheltered.

The removable roof is an important detail in this regard. You don't have to lift the entire house to refill the hay. You simply take the roof off, fill the hay rack, and put the roof back on. This way, the resting place remains recognizable to your animal, and maintenance remains straightforward for you.

For which animals is the Trixie House Hilke suitable?

• Guinea pig: suitable as a combined shelter and hay rack. Guinea pigs enjoy being sheltered and can eat hay peacefully via the built-in hay rack. Ensure that the house is placed on a stable spot and that multiple guinea pigs have sufficient hiding places.
• Dwarf rabbit: suitable as a wooden resting house with a hay area, provided your rabbit fits well through the openings and has enough room to sit and move around comfortably. Place the house low and stable in an enclosure, run, or rabbit room.

For larger rabbit breeds, this house is too small as a full-fledged shelter. In that case, it is better to choose a larger rabbit house or a more spacious hay area where your rabbit can comfortably sit, turn, and lie down. For small rodents such as mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, and gerbils, this house is actually very large and not logical as a standard house in the enclosure.

Usage & placement

Place the Hilke House low and stable in the enclosure. Set it on a flat surface or on a firm layer of bedding so that it cannot slide, tilt, or sink. Thanks to the open bottom, the house fits snugly against the base of the enclosure.

Fill the built-in hay rack with clean, dry hay. Check daily to see if the hay is still fresh and remove any wet, dusty, or soiled hay. Because guinea pigs and rabbits often eat and defecate in the same spot, it is wise to regularly check the area around the house and tidy it up where necessary.

Use the flat roof only where it naturally forms part of the layout. If the house is low and stable, the roof can serve as an extra resting or seating area. Do not turn it into a high step or a dangerous fall point.

Why two entrances are nice

A house with two entrances feels more comfortable for many animals than a house with a single opening. Your pet can always leave through another side and does not have to feel as confined. This is especially useful for animals living together, as they can pass each other more easily.

This is important for guinea pigs, as they like to sit in a sheltered spot but also want to be able to run away quickly when startled. For dwarf rabbits, a second entrance also provides a better overview and more choice. This way, the little house becomes not only a sleeping place but also a safe route through the enclosure.

Wood, bark and natural appearance

The Trixie Hilke House is made of wood with a natural look. Wood fits beautifully in an enclosure with hay, bedding, tunnels, and other natural furnishings. Because wood is a natural product, color, structure, and finish may vary slightly from house to house.

With wooden products containing bark, it may occasionally happen that some bark comes loose in a few places. This is part of the natural character of the material. However, do check regularly to ensure that no sharp or loose parts develop.

Should you worry about wax?

No, with this type of wood, you do not need to worry about that. The softwood species used contain no resin canals and are dried for a long period. The glue used is also non-toxic to animals and consists of a mixture of cellulose.

This makes the house suitable as wooden furniture for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits, provided you use the product properly, keep it dry, and check it regularly for wear.

The animal welfare label

This product bears the Tierschutz-Kennzeichen. This is an animal welfare label for products that have been assessed in accordance with the Austrian Animal Welfare Act. The assessment considers, among other things, legal regulations, current insights, practical experience, and the use of the product by the relevant animal species.

For you as an owner, this provides extra guidance when choosing a product intended for animal-friendly use. It remains important to place the house appropriately, keep the hay fresh, and check the wood regularly.

Cleaning and maintenance

Preferably clean the hayloft dry. Shake out loose bedding, hay, and dirt, using a dry brush or cloth if necessary. Remove old or soiled hay from the rack and refill it with clean, dry hay.

Use a slightly damp cloth only when necessary and allow the wood to dry completely before replacing it. Do not place the house directly under a water bottle or on a wet toilet spot. Wood looks its best when it can remain dry.

Regularly check for gnaw marks, loose parts, sharp edges, or wear. Replace the house when it is no longer sturdy or pleasant to use.

Great to combine with

The Trixie House Hilke fits well with a natural haymaking area and a quiet shelter. You can combine it with:

• Hay for rodents and rabbits
• Hay racks and hay sacks
• Guinea pig houses
• Rabbit houses
• Hay racks for guinea pigs
• Hay racks for rabbits
• Bedding and nesting material

Good to know

Offer the Trixie Hilke House only under supervision and check regularly for wear and tear. Place the house low and stable, keep the hay clean and dry, and replace the product when sharp edges, loose parts, or significant gnaw marks appear. For larger rabbit breeds, this house is too small to serve as a full-fledged shelter.

Frequently Asked Questions

For which animals is the Trixie House Hilke suitable?

The house is suitable for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits. Always check that your animal fits through the openings with plenty of room and can use the house comfortably.

What are the dimensions of the Trixie House Hilke?

The dimensions are approximately 40 × 23 × 32 cm. The openings are approximately 15 × 11 cm.

Is this house suitable for larger rabbits?

No, for larger rabbit breeds, this house is too small as a proper shelter. For larger rabbits, it is better to choose a more spacious house or a larger hay area.

Why does this house have a built-in hay rack?

The built-in hay rack makes it possible to offer hay in a fixed, sheltered spot. This is convenient for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits who like to eat hay quietly.

Is the roof removable?

Yes, the roof is removable. This makes it easy to refill the hay and check the house more easily.

Does the house have a bottom?

No, the house has an open bottom. This allows you to place it directly on the bedding, and it remains easily accessible.

Why are two entrances useful?

Two entrances give your animal more freedom of choice and provide an extra route. This is pleasant for social animals, as they can pass each other more easily.

How do I clean the house?

Preferably clean the house dry with a brush or cloth. Use a slightly damp cloth only when necessary and then let the wood dry completely.

Can bark peel off?

Yes, with wooden products containing bark, some bark may occasionally come loose. This is part of the natural material. However, do check regularly to ensure that no sharp or loose parts develop.

Useful shopping links

• Hay for rodents and rabbits
• Hay racks and hay sacks
• Guinea pig houses
• Rabbit houses
• Bedding and nesting material

The Trixie Hilke House with built-in Hay Rack 40 cm is a smart choice for owners who want to combine a shelter and a hay spot. Thanks to the removable roof, the two entrances, and the built-in rack, you create a practical, sheltered, and natural place for guinea pigs and dwarf rabbits.