How to Build a Rabbit Exercise Pen

Rabbits need sunlight and exercise, or they develop osteoporosis and spinal injuries, gastrointestinal blockages, ulcerative pododermatitis -- known as bumblefoot or sore hocks -- and become listless or destructive. Exercise pens must be sturdy to prevent the rabbit from burrowing out, keep predators from breaking in and provide a secure, out-of-sight hiding place to prevent panic. Rabbits need three to five hours of daily exercise to prevent gastric distress.

Things You'll Need

  • 4 pieces 24-inch-long, 1/2-inch-diameter rebar
  • 4 pieces 36-inch-long, 1/2-inch-diameter rebar
  • 4 pieces 60-inch-long, 1/2-inch-diameter rebar
  • 110-volt gasless MIG welder
  • NIOSH-approved respirator
  • Welding helmet, welding gloves and full leathers
  • 1-inch-square steel mesh, 10 1/2-foot by 36-inch sheet
  • Steel rebar tie
  • Pliers
  • 2 sheets 1/2-inch-square steel mesh, 30- by 66-inch
  • 24- by 36-inch steel oven rack
  • Carabiner hooks
  • 2 wooden packing cases, 24- by 24- by 36-inch
  • 8- to 12-inch-diameter, 36-inch-long clay drainage pipe
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Instructions

    • 1

      Don a NIOSH-approved respirator, welding helmet, gloves and full leathers. Use a 100-volt gasless MIG to weld 1/2-inch-diameter rebar into a 36-inch by 24-inch by 60-inch framework for the exercise pen.

    • 2

      Beginning at one of the 36-inch sides of the exercise-pen frame, wrap the 10 1/2-feet by 36-inch sheet of 1-inch-square steel mesh around the framework, attaching the mesh with loops of steel rebar tie every two inches along the length, width and height. This will leave one of the 24- by 36-inch ends of the pen and the 24- by 60-inch top and bottom open.

    • 3

      Cut a 3-inch square from each corner of both 30- by 66-inch pieces of 1/2-inch-square steel mesh. Fold each 24-inch and 60-inch edge of the mesh over 1/2-inch and repeat. This puts the sharp edges of the wire on the inside of the folds.

    • 4

      Lift the cage frame and center it on one of the pieces of the folded-edged, 1/2-inch-square steel mesh. Fold up the overlap until all the cut edges meet. Attach the mesh to the framework of the pen using loops of steel rebar tie.

    • 5

      Center the final piece of mesh on top of the framework, fold the overlap down until the cut edges meet and attach that piece to the framework as well, to create the top of the exercise pen.

    • 6

      Attach the 24-inch by 36-inch steel oven rack along one of its 36-inch sides to the open end of the exercise pen frame to create a door, using loops of steel rebar tie every two inches from top to bottom.

    • 7

      Use two carabiner hooks to keep the cage door shut. Place a 24- by 24- by 36-inch wooden packing case on its side at each end of the exercise pen to serve as shade, and lay a 10- to 15-inch-diameter, 36-inch-long clay drainage pipe in the pen to serve as a "burrow."