Do it Yourself Rabbit Hutch

Size

• Consider the physical needs of the rabbit. The size of the rabbit hutch should be based on a variety of factors, including the breed, size, sex, purpose and age of the rabbit. If the rabbit breed produces larger-sized adults (such as the Giant Flemish), the rabbit hutch should be built to provide the animal enough room to move freely.

  If the rabbit is part of a breeding community, such as meat rabbits (also known as New Zealand Whites and Californians), it is important to base the size of the rabbit hutch on the breeding process. For a female rabbit, which is known as a doe, the cage must be large enough to house both the mother and her litter. Keep in mind that the average normal litter of rabbits contains five kits. The cage must be large enough to also hold a nest box for the last week of the doe's pregnancy until the kits are approximately 2 weeks of age. The nest box is similar to a crib for a human child; it provides a warm bed for the new baby rabbits.

  For a male breeding rabbit, also known as a buck, the cage must be large enough to allow breeding to take place. Since does are usually brought to the buck's cage for breeding, the hutch must be large enough to allow two adult rabbits to move freely.

  If the rabbit hutch will be used to house young rabbits until they are sold, a larger cage to allow up to 10 rabbits should be the goal. The majority of young rabbits prefer to be with others, since this provides a feeling of security as well as allows the rabbits to stay warm in the colder months.

  No matter what, the general rule for a rabbit hutch is that the cage should allow the rabbit at least 18 inches in either direction to move.

Type of Wire

• Select wiring that will prevent injury to the rabbit. When looking at wiring for a rabbit hutch, only select wiring that is 1-inch by 1-inch or under. Since a rabbit's feet are small, a larger type of wire will allow the rabbit's feet to drop through the cage. This can cause cuts and bruises to the rabbit.

  Another reason why larger wire should not be considered is if the cage will house a breeding doe, the new kits can wander outside of the nest box and fall through the holes of the cage floor. Without the warmth from their mother and siblings, kits will quickly die.

  The size of wiring used for a rabbit hutch can greatly effect the protection provided to the rabbit. Large wiring can allow outside animals, such as dogs, to access the rabbit. By keeping the wiring small, animals have a harder time reaching the caged rabbit.

Other Consideration

• Consider adding extra features to your rabbit hutch. Just like any animal, rabbits urinate and eliminate waste from their bodies. A great way to keep the waste from effecting the area under the rabbit hutch is by adding a catch tray under each cage. This tray is made of plastic or metal materials and is suspended under each cage. When urine and feces drop from the cage, it will collect in the tray. The owner can wash the tray daily with water from a garden hose to keep the area clean. This is a much-needed option if the rabbit hutch will contain two layers of cages. It is also possible to tilt the catch tray so that the waste products will be directed away from the bottom of the hutch.