How to Make an Outside Rabbit Cage for Cold Weather

Rabbits are hardy animals and require only modest cages. An outside do-it-yourself rabbit cage -- even one set up for cold weather -- can be simple and inexpensive. Your main challenges are creating a draft-free space and making sure you have only one rabbit per cage to forestall aggression. Long cage legs allow you to stand comfortably while caring for your rabbits.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 by 2 lumber
  • Screws or nails
  • 1/2-inch staples
  • 1-inch wire mesh
  • 1/2-inch wire mesh
  • Plastic corrugated roofing
  • Plastic or canvas tarp material
  • Flat hinges
  • Latch
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Instructions

  1. Shelter

    • 1

      Lay out two 5-foot-long 1-by-2 boards parallel to each other. Adjust the exact length to your needs. These will form two vertical corners of your cage, and will also serve as legs.

    • 2

      Span the parallel boards with a 1 by 2 that is at least 24 inches long, flush with one end, to create a doorway. This cross-member represents the top of the cage. Attach it to the long boards with nails or screws.

    • 3

      Attach another board of equal length to serve as the floor; place it horizontally, parallel to top piece. It should be 24 inches below the first cross piece, measured from the top of the first cross piece to the bottom of this one. This completes a single frame shape with legs. Repeat steps 1-3 to make an additional frame shape, since you need two frames for the cage.

    • 4

      Cut four pieces of 1 by 2 of equal length, a minimum of 30 inches long. Connect the two frames at the same levels as the cross members to create a cube shape with legs. Set the pieces flush to the inside edge of the vertical boards.

    • 5

      Staple the 1-inch wire mesh to the inside of one frame, then run the mesh continuously around three sides of the cage, starting at the front of one side and wrapping the mesh around the back and up the other side. Staple the mesh walls to the frame. Run another piece of 1-inch mesh across the top, and staple it down as well.

    • 6

      Staple a piece of 1/2-inch mess across the bottom of the cage to form the floor. The smaller mesh keeps the rabbit's feet from falling through.

    • 7

      Measure the remaining opening. Use 1-by-2 lumber to build a picture frame to serve as the door. Cover the frame hole with 1-inch mesh. Attach the door to one vertical side with flat hinges so the door opens outward. Secure the door with a latch on the other side.

    • 8

      Screw plastic corrugated roofing to the top of the cage. Lift the roof to make a 4-inch pitch away from the door by inserting a 1-by-2 box frame on the door side. You can span multiple cages with one frame. Extend the roof a few inches on all sides for protection from rain.

    • 9

      Cut plastic or duck cloth into sheets to cover the sides of the cages, and screw the sheeting to the top under a 1-by-2 board. Keep the sheets rolled up in good weather and down in cold or rain. Cut a buttonhole along the bottom, and fit it over a hook or screw to hold the sheet down in wind.