Avert These 4 Key Errors When Constructing Your Own Rabbit Hutch

Outside rabbits hutches are usually cheap and simple to construct. Almost anybody can build one in a day or less and your efforts can save you a lot of money over buying one. Moreover, you have the option to build it to your specifications. A large number of bunny rabbit hutches that are available to buy are somewhat small-sized, but by building one on your own you can supply extra room to your bunny rabbits that they will greatly benefit from.

Before beginning construction on your new bunny rabbit hutch there are some key issues that must be taken into consideration. A couple of these items may appear too evident to deserve mentioning, but lost of beginners are naive when it comes to building a rabbit hutch.

Mistake #1: Not Using the Proper Building Materials

Outside Rabbits hutches are generally made from a combination of wire mesh, metal, and lumber. Normally, three walls and the covering (roof) are made using plywood while the last wall and the flooring are made with a wire mesh. Using metal for the sides is preferred for the reason that it will not rot and will be less of a problem to clean. When bunny rabbits spray urine, it can saturate the lumber, producing an unpleasant smell that won't occur with metal hutches.

Do not use cheaper particle board to save a few dollars since it will rot and distort in wet conditions. Exterior plywood is the correct material to use for the sides and roof, and treating the plywood will increase its life. Nonetheless, do not treat or paint plywood that the bunny can chew on because it can hurt them.

A plywood floor is certainly not suitable. The flooring must be made with a wire mesh that will let droppings tumble to the ground. If droppings are not allowed to drop beneath the floor they can build up inside the cage and be the cause of filth and health disorders.

Mistake #2: Not Giving Them an Adequate Amount of Floor Area

Rabbits will ideally be provided an opportunity to work out or exercise for about 4 hours each day. Rabbits that get sufficient amounts of exercise have better health, have increased life spans and are more productive if kept for meat. Because of this fact, they must have a bit of additional room in their hutch. Giving them additional room to jump around in will be greatly appreciated.

A good way to furnish them with more room and additional opportunities to exercise is to build their home 2 levels high. Both levels can be accessed with a wire ramp that permits the bunny rabbit to move to the top or bottom level as desired. This will enlarge their living space while not needing any more land area in the backyard.

Mistake #3: Not Constructing Enough Solid Walls

Rabbits should have sunshine and clean air, but too much of a good thing can lead to an early death. Rabbits hutches having only 1 or 2 solid sides will subject your bunny to potentially dangerous climate conditions. Intense winds, showers, and snowfall can be kept out of the hutch with 3 solid sides and a solid covering (roof).

Moreover, rabbits can't stand hot weather and must have a shaded place to escape from the harsh sunshine. By positioning the hutch well and building it with a sufficient number of protective sides, the bunny can remain outside while being relatively unaffected by the climate conditions.

Mistake #4: Not Constructing It on Legs

All outdoor rabbits hutches must be built atop legs. Setting a cage directly on the dirt will permit moist and sullied conditions to develop inside the cage which will be the cause of health problems. Furthermore, without support legs the rabbit droppings won't be able to drop through the all-wire flooring, will soon lead to a waste buildup in the interior of the cage.