Directions on How to Build a Cage for an Outside Rabbit

Directions on How to Build a Cage for an Outside Rabbit. If you are going to own a rabbit, as a pet or for breeding, you will need a place to keep him. A rabbit cage provides safety for your rabbit, ease of access to the pet and a comfortable home for the pet. If you plan to keep your rabbit outside, a wire cage is generally all you need to keep him contained while also keeping predators at a safe distance. These cages, or hutches, as they are commonly known, can be built with common tools you can find in most garages.

Things Needed

• Woven or galvanized 1-by-1-inch 14 gauge wire
• Woven or galvanized 1-by-1/2-inch 14 or 16 gauge wire
• J clips or hog ring clips
• Wire cutters
• Needle nosed pliers
• Hog ring pliers (optional)
• Door latch
• Measuring tape
• Bedding
• Water bottle or dish
• Feeding tray

Step 1

Cut a 30-inch piece of 1-by-1/2-inch wire either 36 inches or 48 inches in length for the floor of the cage.

Step 2

Cut the 1-by-2-inch wire into pieces for the top, sides, front and back with the following dimensions: two pieces (one for the front and back) 18 inches by 36-to-48 inches; two pieces for the sides 18 inches by 30-to-36 inches; and one piece for the top with the same measurements as the bottom.

Step 3

Cut a piece of 1-by-2-inch wire 13-to-15 inches wide and 14-to-18 inches high for the door.

Step 4

Attach the sides to the bottom and the top to the sides using the J-clips or hog rings. If using hog rings you will need hog ring pliers.

Step 5

Determine where you want the door on the front of the cage. Cut a hole in the cage 1 inch smaller in each direction as the door you cut from the wire.

Step 6

Attach the top of the door to the front opening with J clips or hog rings.

Step 7

Attach the latch to the bottom of the door and the corresponding part of the cage opening.

Step 8

Place something soft on the bottom of the cage for bedding for the rabbit. Wood chips, straw, peat moss or newspaper are common choices.

Step 9

Place a metal feeding tray and a water bottle in the cage.

References

• rabbit-cages-and-hutches.com; How to Build an Outdoor Rabbit Hutch
• Kansas State Research and Extension; Kansas 4-H Rabbit Leader Notebook
• Earth's Kids; How to Make Your Own Large & Inexpensive Bunny Pen; 1999
• Raising-Rabbits.com; Rabbit Cage Plans: Build Your Own All-Wire Cage