How to Build a Bunny Hutch

Begin by using the chop saw to cut six lengths of 2-by-four lumber four feet long and two more lengths five feet long. These will form the legs and lower supports of the hutch. Stand up two of the 2-foot lengths and the other 5-foot lengths in a square four feet long to a side. Measure and mark two feet up from the base of each leg. This is where the lower supports will go. Screw the other four lengths of 2-by-fours at the marked height using the 3-inch screws to the legs to create a standing structure four feet wide on each side, with the front legs standing four feet high and the back legs standing five feet high.

Measure and cut four 6” lengths of 2X4. Use the chop saw to cut each of the ends at a 45 degree angle. These will be the support struts. Use the three inch screws to fix them to each leg with one side flush against the underside of the lower crossbeams. With these struts in place the hutch will be much sturdier.

Measure out 2 pieces of plywood. One piece should be 4’ X 2’ and the other should be 4’ X 1’. Lay the 2 foot wide length crosswise on top of the lower supports of the hutch flush against the front legs and screw it into place with the 1 inch wood screws. Lay the smaller piece crosswise against the back legs and screw it into place as well. This will be the floor for the hutch, but you should have a gap between the boards one foot deep and four feet wide. Leave it this way for now.

Cut four lengths of 2X4 with the chop saw. Two lengths should be four feet long and the other two should be closer to five. Place these outside the legs, flush with the tops of each. Screw them against the legs using the 3 inch screws. The four foot lengths should fit to the front and back, while the five foot lengths should be at an angle on the sides of the hutch. The edges of the sides will stick out because of the raised angle. Take this opportunity to trim the leg tops as well as the upper supports you’ve just added with the skill saw. When you’re finished the sides should form one smooth plane.

Measure out several pieces of wire mesh and cut them using the wire cutters. You will need one piece 4’2” X 1’2”, one piece 4’ X 2’, one piece 4’ X 3’, and two more 4’ x 3’. Place the 4’2” X 1’2” down covering the hole in the floor and use the staple gun to fix it into place. This will act as a grate through which the rabbits’ wastes can be sluiced from time to time. All the others will serve to form the caged sides. Remember that these sides must be affixed from the interior, rather than the exterior. Place the 4’ X 2’ on the front, the 4’ X 3’ on the back, and the 4’ x 3’s on the sides. You will have to trim the tops of the mesh pieces forming the sides to be flush with the top support beams as well.

Measure and cut a piece of plywood with the table saw 4’ X 2’6”. This will be used to form a partition in the center of the cage to provide the rabbits a place to hide and protect themselves from the elements. Cut a square opening near the bottom of the 4’ edge with the skill saw roughly 1’ X 1’. Slide the partition down so it’s opening is at the bottom and the edges line up with the front edge of the rear floorboard. Use the four elbow joiners to connect the back of the partition to the upper and lower supports on each side.

Measure and cut a plywood board to be 5’6” X 5’6” and place it on the top of the hutch. Line up the rear of the hutch’s legs and the back of the board flush. Affix one hinge to each of the back legs, connecting them to the underside of the board using the 1 inch screws. Raise and lower the roof to make sure it moves comfortably and forms a slant that follows the line of the upper support beams. A slanted roof is necessary to get water and snow to run off the top of the hutch in bad weather. With this done your hutch is complete and ready to be inhabited by bunnies.