How to Build a Rabbit Hutch

A rabbit hutch is a cage-like accomodation for your rabbit. If you’d like to build one, these do-it-yourself instructions for a 30-inch by 36-inch basic woven wire hutch, with a hardware cloth floor may be of help. This size provides ample room for one rabbit, but you can modify the size to accommodate multiple rabbits (a hutch should be at least four times the size of the rabbit).

Metal hutches are superior because they are easy to clean, they don’t hold odor, and they will last a long time. When building a rabbit hutch, the House Rabbit Society recommends using hardware cloth as opposed to woven wire for the floor. Hardware cloth is more durable, and easier on your rabbits feet and mouth.

Materials Needed

All materials are available at most hardware stores.

• 30-inch by 36-inch piece of 0.625 by 0.625 16-gauge hardware cloth for the floor
• 30-inch by 36-inch piece of 1-inch by 1-inch 14-gauge woven wire for the top of the cage
• 18-inch by 132-inch piece of 1-inch by 1-inch 14-gauge woven wire for the sides, back and front
• 14-inch by 15-inch piece of 1-inch by 1-inch 14-gauge woven wire for the front door
• 4-inch by 10-inch piece of 1-inch by 1-inch 14-gauge woven wire for the feeder opening
• Tin snips (to cut hardware cloth)
• Wire cutters (to cut woven wire)
• 3/8 inch hog rings (buy a lot, in case you make a mistake and have to replace some!)
• Hog ring pliers
• Measuring tape
• Ready-made door latch of your choice
• Cardboard box, big enough for your rabbit to hide in
• Good quality straw, to cover the cage bottom
• 30-inch by 36-inch piece of Formica covered with newspaper, to put under hutch to catch droppings and urine
• 15-inch by 15-inch piece of carpet
• Litter box
• Organic litter
• Water bottle
• Sturdy food bowl
• Lots of toys Note: Hog rings come in fasteners resembling bars or staples and are attached using special hog ring pliers.

How to Assemble

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, here’s how to do it.

First you will need to construct the sides of the hutch. To do this, bend the 18-inch by 132-inch piece of woven wire at a right angle in three places. To do this, first measure 36 inches across the piece of woven wire and fold. From that fold, measure another 30 inches across and fold. Third, measure 36 inches and fold. The remainder should measure 30 inches.

Next, fasten a hog ring on the edge of the 30-inch side and then fasten the ring to the edge of the 36-inch side. Place hog rings at 5-inch intervals, making sure the edges are secured. Also use hog rings at 5″ intervals to secure the floor and the top.

For the door, cut at least 2 inches from either side of the 36-inch side, and at least 2 inches from the bottom and the top. Use your wire cutters to cut a 13-inch wide and 12-inch tall hole. Use hog rings to attach the 14-inch by 15-inch piece of woven wire to the hole, leaving 1 inch overlap on all 4 sides.

Cut the feeder hole the same as the door, except cut the opening 2 inches by 8 inches. Use the 4-inch by 10-inch piece of woven wire as the door covering, attaching it with hog rings. Attach the ready-made door latch that you have chosen.

Finally, you can prepare the hutch for your bunny. Scatter plenty of fresh straw on the floor of the hutch, and change this at least every few days. Place the rug on the floor of the hutch. Place the litter box with organic litter in the hutch. Attach the water bottle to the side, and place the food bowl on the floor. Place the hutch on top of Formica covered with newspaper, which should be replaced daily. Now, it is ready for your rabbit.