Things You'll Need
- Workbench or space Roll of 1-by-1-inch 14-gauge woven wire, measured 4.5 feet wide by 18 feet long Roll of 1-by-1-inch 14-gauge woven wire, measured 4.5 feet wide by 9 feet long, for the ceiling and floor of the cage Soldering iron Gloves Wire latches 15 cage clips Proper rabbit bedding Rabbit food, treats and chew toys Water Frozen water bottles Towels Rabbit litter box Sheet of plywood, measured 4.5 by 4.5 feet Protective eyewear Measuring tape Wire cutters
Instructions
Decide where you want the rabbit cage to be outside. It must be in a place with limited sunshine so the rabbits don't overheat, and in a safe area that is free of predators. The cage will have a roof, so this is not a huge aspect to worry about, but you want the cage where you can keep an eye on it. Also, pick an area with even, level ground.
Choose how large you want the rabbit cage to be, depending upon how many rabbits you have and how large you want the area to be. Provide the rabbits with enough room to move around freely. A good-sized metal cage is 4.5 feet long by 4.5 feet wide small gauge woven wire, which comfortably holds three rabbits. It needs to be tall enough to keep the rabbits from jumping up too high.
Lay the roll of 4.5-by-4.5-foot woven wire that is 18 feet long out on the ground. Start at one side, making a mark every 4.5 feet, ending up with four equally sized pieces that are 4.5 feet tall by 4.5 feet wide. You can shape the cage two ways: if possible, bend the woven wire with your hands in gloves to create corners of the cage. If this is too difficult (for example, this might be easier for men to as it requires much more strength), then use the wire cutters to cut apart each of the four pieces of woven wire. These four pieces represent the walls of the cage. Use the soldering iron to solder each of the sides of the wire cage together, working carefully and slowly.
Place the 4.5 by 4.5 square cage of wire right side up on the ground, so it looks like a cage. Lay the roll of woven wire that is 4.5 feet wide by 9 feet long out on the ground. Start at one side and measure out 4.5 feet from the 9, and use the wire cutters so the wire roll is separated in half. This will be the top and the bottom of the rabbit cage.
Place one of these 4.5 by 4.5 wire panels on top of the square cage sitting on the ground. Use the soldering gun to solder the bottom woven wire panel to the four edges of the cage sides. Make sure it is secure so that nothing can slip in between the bottom and sides or get stuck.
Flip the cage upside down. It should now appear as an open top cage with four sides and a bottom. Decide what type of top you want on the rabbit cage. The two most common types are attached with cage clips. Set the last 4.5 by 4.5 wire panel on top of the open four-sided cage. Open the cage clips and hook them from the top panel's corners onto each of the four cage corners; if necessary, you can apply them in between the corners. This prevents the rabbits from jumping out and potential predators from jumping in. Remove the top panel for now so you can work on the inside of the cage.
Add a door for the rabbits, if desired. Use the wire cutters to cut a 1 foot tall by 8 inches wide doorway into one side of the cage. Clip the wires between the side panel and the bottom, and then on the sides. Leave the last side of the door attached to the side of the cage. Slowly and carefully fold it back to crease the wires; you can use the wire cutters for this. Once the doorway is established, attach a cage latch with cage hooks to one side of the doorway, or else use a household item such as bungee cords or rubber bands as a lock on the door. It is advisable to add two doors to the rabbit cage; one on each side. This is because rabbits feel as though they are cornered by predators with only one way to exit and enter.
Place the sheet of plywood on the bottom of the cage and fit it securely around the edges and corners. This protects the rabbits' feet from the woven wire and getting stuck in the ground.
Create a potty training area for the rabbit. Add a small container or box or "bunny litter" (available at pet stores) in a corner where rabbits like to soil. Make sure to clean it a couple times a week.
Place straw, old soft towels or some type of rabbit bedding on top of the plywood floor to create a comfortable environment for the rabbits. Add food and water bowls, and some treats on the other side of the cage floor. For chewing purposes, provide unpainted wood pieces or specialized chewing toys. In the summer, place frozen water bottles or cold slabs of marble on the floor of the cage for the rabbits to keep cool. Carrots are a nice treat and a great way for rabbits to exercise their chewing.
Place your rabbits inside the cage and secure the top of the cage, if necessary.