How to Build a Wild Rabbit House

Generally, individuals may not care for or keep any wild animal unless they possess a license from their state's Department of Environmental Protection/Natural Resources. Many wildlife officials, through their state Departments of Wildlife Protection/Natural Resources, will work with individuals who wish to care for a wild animal that needs rehabilitation due to injury or abandonment by its parents. Caretakers of wild rabbits should build a house for a wild rabbit by adhering to guidelines set down by animal professionals to ensure that the proper conditions exist for the rabbit's health and rehabilitation.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit cage
  • Blanket or towel
  • Newspaper
  • Heating Pad
  • Shovel
  • 6 wooden posts, 3 feet
  • Chicken wire, 3 feet height
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire ties
  • Pliers
  • Hinge assemblies and hinges
  • Screws
  • Screwdriver
  • Measuring tape
  • Pre-made gate
  • Latch assembly
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Instructions

  1. In-Home Wild Rabbit House for Small Wild Bunnies

    • 1

      Keep baby rabbits in a cage inside the house while they are small. The cage should have a heating pad so that the bunnies can move from the heating pad to a non-heated surface at will.

    • 2

      Place a towel and clean newspaper on the cage's bottom. Keep the indoor wild rabbit house as free of loud noises as possible.

    • 3

      Do not locate the wild bunny house in an area where a significant amount of activity takes place. Keep the wild bunny house away from strong odors.

    • 4

      Start building an outdoor rabbit house for the wild rabbits while the bunnies are still caged indoors. Before their release, they will need an outdoor rabbit house to exercise and build up their muscles.

    Outside Wild Rabbit House for Rabbits Before Release

    • 5

      Dig four one-foot deep holes for the wild rabbit house's corner posts. Insert the wooden posts and fill in the holes with dirt. Dig two post holes in the middle of one of the rabbit house sides as gate posts.

    • 6

      Dig one foot-dep trenches from post to post. The fencing will be placed in the trench to prevent the wild rabbits from digging under the fence.

    • 7

      Starting at one of the gate posts, lay the chicken wire around the circumference of the wild rabbit house, winding it from post to post. Insert the chicken wire into the trench when laying it between the posts. Finish laying the chicken wire at the rabbit house's second gate post. The fencing should measure two feet high to prevent the wild rabbits from jumping out of the rabbit house.

    • 8

      Attach the chicken wire to each post with wire ties. Use pliers to twist the wire ties closed.

    • 9

      Fill in the trenches with dirt.

    • 10

      Note the measurement of the hinges on the rabbit house gate. Place hinge assemblies on the gate post where the gate will attach with wood screws and a screwgun or screwdriver. Slide the gate onto the gate post.

    • 11

      Attach the latch onto the gate and match it with the companion latch on the gatepost.