Build a Rabbit Hutch

Does your rabbit need a little more space to hop around? Constructing a rabbit hutch takes some work, but if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person and want to add some homemade touches to your rabbit's abode, it's well worth the effort. Keep reading for instructions on building a great rabbit hutch.

Steps

Preparations

  1. Plan out the design. Standard rabbit hutches are made with wood and wire and can vary in shape and size depending on your preferences and how many rabbits you’ll be keeping. There’s no one way to design a hutch but here are some things to keep in mind:[1]
    • The rabbit should at least have enough room to sit up on its back legs and stretch out.
    • The cage should be roughly 4 times the size of your rabbit at the very least. Keep in mind the age of your rabbit and how much it will continue to grow.
    • Hutches are typically divided into at least two sections in order to give the rabbits sleeping areas that are separated from the other area(s).
    • If it’s an outdoor hutch, it should be built on legs that are at least {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} tall, so that they cannot be easily reached by predators.
  2. Gather and cut your plywood. You will need at least 2 large pieces of plywood. The dimensions will vary depending on the size of the hutch you’d like to build
    • For example, two pieces of plywood with measurements of 24”x72”x3/4” would be adequate for building a hutch that’s meant for up to three rabbits.
    • Unless you order pieces of plywood that are to your exact specifications, expect to do some cutting, most likely with a power saw.
  3. Gather and cut your wire mesh. In order to build your own cage, you’re going to need some good wire. Here are some things to consider:
    • Chicken wire will not be strong enough to house rabbits and keep out predators.
    • Use 14 or 16-gauge galvanized wire, preferably made specifically for rabbit or bird housing.
    • The mesh for the top and sides of the cage should be 1”x2” or 1”x1”, but the floor wire should be approximately ½”x1” so that it can support the rabbit’s feet.
    • Be sure to have a good pair of wire cutters and gloves. A Dremel tool or metal file will also be needed to remove any sharp protrusions from the wire.
    • Rabbit wire can be purchased from most rabbit cage suppliers, and can be purchased in full rolls of 50’ to 100’ or can be cut to your specifications.
    • You may also want to consider purchasing a pre-made rabbit cage and simply building the frame around it.
  4. Review the remaining supplies. Other supplies will be discussed in further sections, but at this time you may also want to consider some recommended, though not necessary additions.
    • Drop trays aren’t mandatory, but they’ll make cleaning beneath the rabbit hutch a much more pleasant experience. They also add some extra protection from the bottom of the cage.
    • Roofing material such as shingles, plastic, metal, etc will add extra protection from the elements and will make your hutch last longer.

Building the Cage

  1. Create the basic frame. Now that you have your rolls of wire, it’s time to start cutting and building a cage.
    • From the 1”x2” wire, use wire cutters to cut six pieces to the lengths you require. For example if you were building a cage that was 24”x48’ you would cut 4 pieces at 48” and 2 pieces at 24”.
    • Cut a piece of your tighter-meshed floor wire as well. Make sure it's the same length as the longer pieces you just cut.
    • Using C-rings, attach the two smaller pieces of wire you cut to one of the longer pieces in order to create the back and sides of the cage.
  2. Attach the top and bottom. Don’t get carried away and just start attaching everything at once. Remember that you still want to add a divider and leave room for a drop tray.
    • Take the section of floor wire, the one with the tighter mesh, and use C-rings to attach this to the cage, but not at the very bottom. Attach it about several inches from the very bottom to allow yourself space to add the drop tray.
    • Attach the front of the cage, again using C-rings
    • Punch holes in the edges of your divider and attach it with C-rings to the inside of the cage. Make sure your divider leaves enough room for your rabbit to move around freely from area to area.
    • Put the top on the cage and make sure to attach the divider to this as well.
    • You can now attach the final piece of wire on the very bottom of the cage, which can be used to hold the drop tray.
    • Use your wire cutters to cut an opening at the front of the cage so you can slide the drop trays in and out.
  3. Create a space for the door. Now you have a great cage, but unfortunately nothing can get in or out.
    • Cut an opening in the front of the cage and be sure to cover the exposed edges with plastic trim.
    • From the spare wire that you have left, cut a piece for your door that is slightly bigger than the hole you made in the cage.
  4. Attach the door. Take the piece of wire that you cut and attach it to the using C-rings so that it adequately covers the opening you created. Attach a latch to make sure that the door stays shut.

Constructing the Frame

  1. Create a frame for the cage to sit on. You’ve built the interior of your hutch, now it’s time to start fortifying it a little more.
    • Cut lengths of 2”x4” lumber to measurements that are slightly larger than the cage itself. Remember, the cage has to fit in the frame.
    • Using hammer and nail, construct the frame around the cage.
    • Attach metal L-brackets to the inside corners or the frame for the cage to sit on. This will protect the wood from direct contact with cage.
  2. Create the legs. You can make your hutch as tall as you like, but remember that if you’re putting it outside, you want to keep it about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} off of the ground to protect the rabbits from predators.
    • Cut the 2”x4” lumber to your preferred length.
    • Make sure the legs are all the same length or your hutch will be wobbly.
    • You can also use larger pieces of wood, like 4”x4” lumber, if you want sturdier legs.
  3. Attach the legs to the frame.
    • Turn the frame upside-down.
    • Nail the legs to 4 corners of the bottom of the frame. Make sure they are spaced evenly.
    • Turn the frame right side up and make sure the hutch stands firmly in place.
  4. Put the cage in the frame. You can easily just rest the cage in the frame now, you should be able to remove it with ease.
    • You can nail the cage to the inside of the frame with braces if you’d like it to remain in the hutch permanently or sit more securely
  5. Put the sides on the frame. Now that the cage is inside the hutch, you need to give it a little more protection.
    • Measure the sides of your frame and cut two pieces of plywood so that they’ll adequately cover each side.
    • Nail each side down
    • Do the same for the back of the hutch.
    • If you’d like to give your rabbits more ventilation, don’t nail the sides down, but attach them with hinges so that they can be opened and closed.
  6. Build the roof. You’re almost done! Your rabbits have everything but a roof over their heads.
    • Measure out and cut a piece of plywood that will completely cover the top of your hutch.
    • Nail it down securely to the frame.
    • Add shingles, metal roofing, or plastic to the top of the roof for extra protection.

Putting on the Final Touches

  1. Place the rabbit hutch in a safe spot. If the hutch will be inside you probably don’t have to worry, but if you put it outside, here are a few things to remember:
    • Put the hutch in a nice, shady spot where it won’t be to prone to the inclement weather.
    • Position it where you can easily see it from your home, so you can keep an eye on it.
  2. Secure the rabbit hutch in place. Place the hutch on even ground so it’s not in danger of tipping over.
  3. Prepare the hutch for your rabbits. Your rabbit’s home is just about complete. Now you get to do some interior decorating.
    • Lay down soft hay or unbleached shredded paper or paper towels to the cage for bedding.
    • Secure a drip-feed water bottle to one side of the cage and make sure that it’s always filled with fresh water.
    • You can also attach a food tray, but you can also get away with using a ceramic or stainless steel bowl.
    • Provide a designated litter area as well. Rabbits tend to use one area only as a bathroom and giving them a set location makes sure that they’re not sleeping in a mess.

Warning

  • Make sure you look over your cage to make sure there aren't any sharp or jagged pieces of metal sticking out that may injure your rabbits. If there are, use your Dremel tool or a metal file to dull them.
  • Wire mesh flooring can give your rabbits infections
  • Don't use clumping litter as it can be harmful to rabbits



Things You'll Need

  • Safety glasses
  • Quality work gloves
  • Plywood
  • 2"x4" lumber
  • 14 to 16-gauge galvanized wire (1"x2" or 1"x1" for the top and sides and 1/2"x1" for the floor)
  • Hammer and nails
  • Dremel tool or metal file
  • Wire cutters
  • C-rings
  • Measuring tape
  • Ready-made door latch of your choice
  • Plastic trim to put around door edges
  • Good quality straw, hay, or paper to cover the cage bottom
  • Drop trays
  • Shingles, metal, or plastic roofing materials
  • litter box
  • Quality litter
  • Water bottle
  • Sturdy food bowl
  • Lots of toys

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.rabbithutchesadvice.com/subjects/hutch-design-basics/

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