How to Make a Homemade Rabbit Cage

If you want to keep your pet rabbits outside, then you will need a rabbit cage to keep them securely confined and keep potential predators out. While you can purchase custom-built rabbit hutches, a simple homemade rabbit cage will do the job for quite a bit less money. Just be sure that you have about a day to devote to the task if you have not done a lot of wood-building before.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 9 24-inch-long 2-inch-by-4-inch boards
• 4 48-inch-long 2-inch-by-4-inch boards
• 24-inch-by-12-inch-by-3/4-inch plywood
• Chicken wire
• Cabinet hinges
• Screw gun
• Self-threading 2-inch screws
• Staple gun and1/2-inch staples
• Sheet metal sheers
• Tape measure
• Gloves
• Hook and latch

1. Assemble two frames. Attach one 24-inch 2-inch-by-4-inch board to a 48 inch long 2-inch-by-4-inch board on the end, using your screw gun and self-threading screws. Make it flush. Use two screws on each end. Repeat on the other end. Build a second frame. One is for the top, and one is for the bottom of the rabbit cage.

2. Join these frames together. Do this by screwing two 24-inch, 2-inch-by-4-inch boards to the upper and lower corners of the frames. You will now have a box-like construction that is beginning to resemble a cage.

3. Make a door. Use your tape measure to measure in 12 inches from the right side. Attach the last of your 24-inch 2-inch-by-4-inch boards. Use at least two screws in the bottom and the top of the board. This will be the door frame for your 24-inch-by-12-inch piece of plywood.

4. Create the sides of your cage. Wearing gloves, unspool your chicken wire and using your sheet metal shears, cut it to fit each side. Pull it as tight as you can, and staple it in place. The sharp edges from cutting should be bent over and pressed into the wood, then stapled down. Remember to leave the opening for the door uncovered.

5. Mount the door hinges. Measure down 3 inches from the top and up 3 inches from the bottom of the right side 2-inch-by-4-inch board. This will be where you mount the hinges. Screw them into place by drilling screws through the pre-cut holes in the hinges.

6. Screw the hinges into the plywood piece. Your door should now easily swing open and shut.

7. Mount the hook and latch on the door frame center post. Many hook and latch sets come with mounting materials, or you can use your own screws to hold it in place. Now, you are ready to move your rabbits into their new home.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have neighborhood cats, use chicken wire for the top of the cage. If you do not, then your rabbits will probably not be able to jump out, but you should watch them to see if you have any particularly ambitious pets before leaving them alone outside.