How to Make a Rabbit Hutch Outside

Commercially available rabbit hutches can be expensive. Creating a rabbit hutch outside can be a cost-effective method of providing one or more rabbits with suitable living space. The tools and materials necessary for building your own hutch are easy to find and allow for greater customization in cage choices.

Things You'll Need

  • Chicken wire
  • Plywood
  • Door hinges
  • 2-by-4-foot boards
  • 1-by-2-foot boards
  • Hook and eye latch
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Straight edge
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

  1. Frame Construction

    • 1

      Decide on the dimensions of the cage based on the size and number of rabbits you plan to house within. Provide additional space if you plan on adding more rabbits over time. Adjust the dimensions of the wood pieces to accommodate your chosen hutch size.

    • 2

      Cut four 2-by-4-foot boards to 48 inches and eight boards to 24 inches long. Join the end of a 24-inch board to the side of the 48-inch board's edge to create an "L."

    • 3

      Treat the 24-inch boards as the sides of the hutch and the 48-inch boards as the front and back sides of the hutch. Continue to attach boards until you have a rectangular frame.

    • 4

      Lay the frame on a flat surface and attach a 24-inch 2-by-4-foot board to each corner, facing upward. These four boards will serve as the corner supports with the rectangular frame serving as the bottom frame of the rabbit hutch.

    • 5

      Attach two 48-inch 2-by-4-foot boards and two 24-inch 2-by-4-foot boards to the four corner posts to create a top frame for the rabbit hutch. When finished, you should have a rectangular rabbit hutch frame that is about 48 inches wide by 24 inches tall.

    Finish Frame

    • 6

      Cut out two pieces of plywood to 2-by-2 feet. Use nails to attach these panels to the sides of the hutch. Securely attach each panel by placing a nail in at every third inch.

    • 7

      Cut a piece of plywood to 48-by-24 inches. Attach this panel to the back of the hutch frame following the same process as the sides.

    • 8

      Cut a length of chicken wire to 48-by-24 inches and one piece of chicken wire to 24-by-24 inches. Attach the larger piece of chicken wire to the bottom of the hutch using staples. Attach the smaller piece of chicken wire to one half of the top of the hutch.

    • 9

      Cut a piece of plywood to 24-by-24 inches. Attach this panel to the opposite end of the hutch top using nails.

    • 10

      Create a door frame for the rabbit hutch. Cut two 1-by-2-foot boards to 46 inches and two to 24 inches each. Attach the boards to create a rectangular frame. Cut a piece of plywood and the sheet of chicken wire to 23-by-24 feet each. Attach the plywood to one half of the lid frame with nails, and the chicken wire to the opposite half with staples. Attach the hinges to the interior of the hutch and the top frame on the back panel, allowing the door to swing upward and open. Attach the latching mechanism to the front of the hutch and the top lid to allow it to latch closed.

    Finishing Touches

    • 11

      Attach 48-inch-long 2-by-4-foot boards to the bottom corners of the 2-by-4-foot frame to create legs. All the legs should have equal lengths to keep the cage even and flat on the ground.

    • 12

      Stain or paint the hutch as desired. Use weather-safe exterior paint to prevent rust and rot.

    • 13

      Add bedding, partitions and other accessories as desired to the interior of the rabbit hutch.