How to Build a Bunny Yard

Bunny rabbits make fun, affectionate pets. A bunny yard can be an enjoyable place for your bunnies to roam and play, while it provides a safe environment for your bunnies.

Building a bunny yard that will protect your bunnies from predators and make certain that your furry little friends do not escape into danger takes planning and forethought.

To build a secure bunny yard, follow the directions below:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4" x 4" salt treated posts
• 2" x 4" salt treated lumber
• poultry netting
• cypress or other decorative fence planks
• brads
• galvanized nails
• gate hinge
• gate latch

1. 
   protect bunnies from predators

   DETERMINE THE SIZE OF THE BUNNY YARD
   
   I built my bunny yard 25 feet square. This particular size was determined partly by the area that I had available, and partly by the fact that I wanted a bunny yard that allowed the bunnies lots of freedom to run and chase, as bunnies love to do, but it is also small enough to keep birds of prey from being able to swoop down and pick up a bunny and carry him off.
   
   You, of course, will determine the size of your bunny yard based upon your own location and considerations.

2. 
   cypress planks finish off fence

   DETERMINE THE HEIGHT OF YOUR FENCE
   
   The taller the fence, the more secure your bunnies will be from predators such as cats and dogs.
   
   I made my fence 4 feet tall, as I did not want anything taller that would block my view in my back yard.

3. PURCHASE LUMBER AND SUPPLIES
   
   You will need enough 4" x 4" salt treated posts to make the corners and to provide supports every 6 to 8 feet along the sides of the fence. You will need 2 additional posts for gate posts.
   
   You will need enough 2" x 4" salt treated lumber to make runners across the bottom of the fence and the top of the fence.
   
   You will need enough poultry wire (netting) to cover the entire length of fence. (My fence is 25 feet x 25 feet square, with one wall being my house; so I had to build 3 sides to my bunny yard. Therefore I had to purchase enough poultry wire for 75 feet of fence.)
   
   Your poultry netting should be at least 6 inches taller than the final height of the fence.

4. DIG A TRENCH AROUND THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF YOUR BUNNY YARD
   
   You will use this trench to bury the lower portion of the poultry netting, thus preventing your bunnies from digging their way out of your bunny yard--also preventing dogs from digging their way in, should they decide to try.

5. SET POSTS IN PLACE
   
   I prefer to mount posts in concrete, making them more stable.
   
   If you also prefer this method, you will want to purchase a concrete ready mix at your building supply store and prepare the concrete as you set the posts.

6. TOENAIL IN CROSS BOARDS BETWEEN POSTS AT BOTTOM
   
   Leaving approximately 1 inch of space between the ground and the bottom of the board, cut boards to fit between posts and toenail in with galvanized nails. (Leave the gate space empty.)

7. RUN BOARDS ACROSS THE TOP OF THE POSTS
   
   Run 2" x 4" boards across the top of your posts, all the way around, leaving the gate space empty.

8. ATTACH POULTRY NETTING
   
   Netting is applied to the inside of the fence.
   
   Using galvanized brads, attach the poultry netting all the way around your fence, attaching to the top first.
   
   After the poultry netting is attached to the top, pull the netting tight and attach to the bottom boards. (Remember, the bottom 6" of poultry netting should extend below the bottom board and into the trench.
   
   Replace soil in the trench, covering the bottom of the poultry netting.

9. FASTEN DECORATIVE FENCE PLANKS TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE FENCE
   
   I chose cypress for my outside fence planks. I have the good fortune of having a hardwood saw mill just a few miles from my home, so I was able to order my fence planks to specs without any problem.
   
   You will want to either purchase your fence boards from a local building supply store or special order, as I did.
   
   Use either galvanized nails or screws to attach the boards to the fence.

10. CONSTRUCT A GATE
    
    Your gate should be constructed of the same building materials as your fence. Use salt treated 2" x 4" lumber for your frame. Fasten your decorative fencing to the outside.
    
    I did not use poultry netting on my gate.
    
    I do not have to worry about the bunnies digging under the gate, because I have a patio of concrete pavers that the gate opens onto.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a level to make certain that your posts are straight up and down and level at the top.
• To make certain that each post is set at the same level, run a long straight board between posts and set level on the board. Check to make certain that the bubble is directly in the middle between lines--to make sure your fence will be level all around.
• Bunnies will chew on wood, so the poultry netting serves to keep them from chewing on your fence, while it protects them in many other ways as well.

[karileighk]

on 8/8/2009 great idea

[godfather25]

on 8/7/2009 Excellent article on building a bunny yard.

[sonni57]

on 8/7/2009 Good article on bunnies and making them a yard you have to watch out for raccoons one attacked my bunny he almost died.