How to Build a Wire Rabbit Hutch

Rabbits are popular pets because they are friendly and relatively easy to keep and care for. For their own safety and comfort, rabbits should be kept in a hutch when you're not actively monitoring them. Rabbit hutches are fairly simple and inexpensive to make. Making your own hutch allows you to customize it based upon your particular needs and preferences.

Things You'll Need

  • 14-gauge galvanized wire mesh (1" x 1" openings)
  • 14-gauge galvanized wire mesh (1" x 1/2" openings)
  • Wire door latch
  • Hog rings (or j-clips)
  • Hog ring pliers (or j-clip tool)
  • Wire cutters
  • Tape measure or yardstick
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the wire mesh. You will need:
      • 30" x 36" of the 1" x 1/2" mesh for the floor
      • 30" x 36" of the 1" x 1" mesh for the top
      • 18" x 132" of the 1" x 1" mesh for the four sides

    • 2

      Fold the sides. Measure 36" from one edge of the 132" piece of wire mesh. Bend the mesh along a straight line to create a 90-degree angle. Measure 30" from this bend and repeat. Measure 36" from the second bend and repeat. Measure 30" from the third bend and repeat. When finished, you should have a rectangle of wire mesh that is 36" long by 30" wide. This will form the front, back and sides of your hutch.

    • 3

      Join the sides. Use hog rings to link the loose edges of your 30" x 36" rectangle. Place rings at least every 4" to 5" along the edge to ensure a sturdy connection. If you plan on housing baby rabbits in the hutch at any point, you should also cut a piece of the floor mesh (1" x 1/2") to be 132" long by 3" tall. Bend this as in step 2 to create a 30" x 36" rectangle, place it inside your larger rectangle all along the bottom and join it with hog rings. This low barrier can prevent tiny babies from wriggling out through larger holes.

    • 4

      Attach the floor and top. Use hog rings to connect the top (1" x 1") and floor (1" x 1/2") to the rectangle. Place rings at least every 4" to 5" along the edge to ensure a sturdy connection.

    • 5

      Cut the door. In one of the 36" sides of your rectangle, cut a 14" x 14" opening. The opening should be 2" from one edge (corner) of the rectangle and 2" from both the top and bottom.

    • 6

      Make and attach the door. Cut a piece of 1" x 1" wire mesh to be 16" x 16". Place it over the opening in the rectangle so an even 1" border surrounds the opening. Attach the door to the rectangle by placing hog clips along one side. Attach the door latch to the opposite side.

    • 7

      Place your hutch in a safe, stable spot and add water and food (or a feeder). Now your hutch is ready for your rabbit(s) to call home.