Keeping a rabbit around the house or farm means building a warm and dry place for it to live. A rabbit hutch can suit a rabbit or other small animals as long as it includes a few basic elements. A rabbit hutch is an easy project that you will enjoy building and a rabbit will enjoy staying in.
Required Materials
- wire cloth
- woven wire sheets or rolls
- 8 metal or wood rods of door height
- hinge set of choice
- formica sheet of hutch size
- 2×4” stock
- solder
- staples
Required Tools
- wire snips
- screw driver
- coping saw
- gloves
- soldering iron
- staple gun
Instructions
- Hutch Layout – A rabbit hutch can be just about any size or shape. The minimum size, however, should be at least four times the size of the rabbit. Materials can vary, but remember that there are certain odors that come with any small animal. Wood will retain a certain amount of odor while metal will not. In an open space a wood hutch may present a more appealing visual, while in a confined space a metal hutch may be a better option.
- Flooring – Open wire mesh is a good choice for the walls and roof of the hutch, but do not use it for flooring, as it will harm the paws of the rabbit. Use a wire cloth instead, which will not damage the feet of the rabbit and will allow urine to pass. Cut the flooring to shape and size with snips.
- Walls and Roof – The open cell wire mesh is a good choice for the walls of the hutch regardless of whether a wood or rod frame is used. One piece of this wire mesh can cover the hutch from one side of the door to the other. If you choose, wire can be used to attach the mesh to the frame. Staples for a wood frame and solder for a metal rod frame, however, are advised for the rabbit’s protection.
- Frame Construction – Lay out the frame pieces that you have chosen to use. Cut to length. For a metal rod frame, solder two side walls first and then attach the rear and front rods. Measure out the door location from the same side rod or board and attach a vertical rod on both sides of the door location. Construct a door frame to match the desired door size. Screw or solder the hinges and latch to the door and frame.
- Wire Attachments – For a metal frame, roll the wire mesh onto the frame you have constructed. Flatten any ripples that may have developed. Tack two corner points with solder and flatten and solder approximately every 4 inches. Continue soldering around the hutch trying to leave as few cut pieces of mesh as possible. Ideally, there will be a need for just four pieces of wire wall: roof, floor wall and door.
- Floor Protection – Cut 2×4” stock to act as hutch feet. Attach with staples. Rabbits do urinate, so cut a piece of Formica to size and place it under the hutch. You now have a finished rabbit hutch that your rabbit will enjoy for years to come.
For More information on How to Build a Rabbit Hutch read :-
How to Build a Rabbit Hutch
How to Build a Rabbit Hutch
How to Build a Rabbit Hutch
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