How to Construct a Rabbit Hutch
Hutches to keep rabbits safely and comfortably outdoors don't have to be complicated (although numerous free blueprints for sophisticated hutches are available in the Resources). A cage and furniture found at a thrift store or yard sale is enough to construct a hutch for a single or pair of rabbits. Keep in mind that it should be large enough for the rabbits to move around, elevated enough off the ground to protect rabbits from pests and predators, and protected from direct sunlight and extreme cold. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Wire mesh rabbit cage (1/2 inch grid or smaller)
- Old wooden chest of drawers (wider and taller than cage, found at yard sale or thrift store)
- Goggles
- Spiral cut saw
- Sandpaper
- Cage shavings
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove the drawers from the chest and set aside.
-
2
Put on goggles.
-
-
3
Place the chest on its side or upside down (your preference) and cut out the bottom floor of the chest using the spiral saw. This will create an open bottom so the rabbit's droppings will fall out.
-
4
Sand any uneven edges of the cut bottom.
-
5
Turn the chest right side up and place in desired location.
-
6
Set the wire cage inside the bottomless chest of drawers so the door faces front.
-
7
Fill bottom with shavings and place rabbit in the new hutch.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Rabbits like covered floor as well. Trim down the scrap wood cut from the bottom of the chest and insert into the bottom of the cage to create a surface for the rabbit to sit on.
This type of hutch is only good for a single rabbit or breeding pair. To keep additional rabbits, hutches should measure approximately one square foot for every pound of rabbit.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
