How to Build a Hanging Rabbit Cage

Children can pick up skills related to science, finance and relationships by having rabbits as pets. Even if not part of a 4-H project, rabbit owners can learn about caring for animals, the various breeds and differences in appearance, and even the costs associated with feeding and maintaining proper health. To protect their pets from predators, some owners build hanging rabbit cages and suspend them from free-standing structures or hooks in a barn's ceiling.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-by-2 lumber
  • Measuring tape
  • Screws
  • Wire cutters or tin snips
  • Construction-grade staples
  • 2 12-inch hinges
  • Hook-and-eye connectors
  • 3 36-inch lengths of chain
  • Ceiling hooks
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Design your cage by drawing a plan based on the space you have available. Determine the measurements for the length, width and height. For example, a common rabbit cage size measures 48 inches long, 12 inches wide and 18 inches high.

    • 2

      Cut four pieces of 2-by-2 lumber using the measurement for the length. Cut four pieces of 2-by-2 lumber using the measurement for the width -- minus 3 inches to compensate for the width of the wood. Then cut four pieces of 2-by-2 lumber using the measurement for the height, minus 3 inches.

    • 3

      Make the top and bottom panels by screwing through the sides of the long pieces into the ends of the pieces cut to width. Connect the two panels by screwing the pieces for height in the same fashion, taking care to avoid the first screw at each corner.

    • 4

      Cut a sheet of hardware cloth or stiff, heavy-duty metal screening large enough to cover the length of the cage. Attach the metal to the wood on one side, using construction-grade staples. Wrap the screen around the frame until it meets the original staple line. Cut the metal and attach it to the cage with another row of staples.

    • 5

      Construct the sides for your cage. Cut four pieces of 2-by-2 lumber using the measurement for the height, and then cut four additional 2-by-2 pieces using the measurement for width, subtracting 3 inches. Create two rectangles by attaching the lumber with screws at the corners; the width pieces will sit inside the lumber for the height. Cut pieces of hardware cloth or screening just wider than the frames, so you can wrap the metal and attach it with staples.

    • 6

      Connect the sides to the cage with 12-inch-long hinges on one side; the other side will not be secured, to allow for opening. Screw the hinges into the wood frames on both the cage and side.

    • 7

      Install no fewer than two hook-and-eye connectors at the open ends. Screw the eyes into the cage frame about 1-inch from both the top and bottom. Screw the hooks into the side frames -- positioned so they'll meet with the eyes, to create a tight closure.

    • 8

      Cut a 2-by-2 piece of lumber 3 inches shorter than the length of the cage. Center the lumber inside the cage at the top, and secure it to the metal with several, evenly spaced plastic cable ties.

    • 9

      Cut three lengths of chain at least 36 inches long. Loop the chains through the metal cage and around the centered 2-by-2 at the top. Connect the chain ends to create the hangers for the rabbit cage. Install ceiling hooks, and place the chains over the hooks to finish the project.