How to Make a Wire Rabbit Cage

Mississippi State University recommends using wire cages over wooden cages for keeping rabbits, because wire cages are more durable, cheaper in the long run and easier to clean. Wood is not recommended because rabbits will chew on it, and urine will saturate the wood, making it very difficult to clean. A standard cage that is 30 inches deep, 36 inches long and 18 inches high will be large enough to house a medium-sized mother rabbit and her litter.

Things You'll Need

  • 1 30-inch x 36-inch piece of 1-inch x 1/2-inch woven wire
  • 1 30-inch x 36-inch piece of 1-inch x 1-inch woven wire
  • 1 18-inch x 132-inch piece of 1-inch x 1-inch woven wire
  • 1 20-inch by 20-inch piece of 1-inch x 1-inch woven wire
  • 25 J-clips
  • Wire cutters
  • Pliers
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bend the 18-inch x 132-inch piece of woven wire to create the walls for your cage. Start at one end, and measure 36 inches towards the other end of the wire piece. Once you hit 36 inches, bend the cage. The best technique to bend the cage is to lay it flat on a table or workbench, and when you reach the desired measurement, bend the wire down along the edge of the workbench or table top. After making a fold at 36 inches measure another 30 inches and fold again using the same technique. Fold one more time at 36 inches and that will also create your last wall of 30 inches.

    • 2

      Attach j-clips to the wall to hold the cage together and to create stability. Start where the 30-inch side and the 36-inch side need to come together, but there is currently an opening. Start at the top and place a j-clip there to attach the two sides. Use your pliers to bend the clip shut. Place another clip every four or five inches and again bend it to attach the cage together. Place one more clip at the bottom to secure the four walls together.

    • 3

      Attach the bottom and top of the cage to the walls. The bottom piece is the 30-inch by 36-inch piece of 1-inch x 1/2-inch mesh woven wire. Place the cage walls on top of the bottom. Place a j-clip every four inches around the cage, starting with one corner and making sure each corner has a clip. The j-clips will need to be shut tightly with pliers. Make sure clips are placed all around the cage, attaching the floor to each wall. Place the last piece of wire mesh on top of the walls. Squeeze j-clips into place every four inches around the cage, starting with a corner of your choice.

    • 4

      Create a door. For the door, go to one of the 36-inch sides, and measure two inches away from where it meets the 30-inch side wall, this is where you will start cutting away the door. Create an opening that is 13 inches wide and that starts two inches from the top and ends two inches before it hits the bottom of the cage. Use your wire cutters to cut this opening into the cage. Make a door by cutting your 20-inch by 20-inch piece of wire. Cut it so it is one inch bigger on all sides than the opening you just made in your cage. Use j-clips to attach the newly cut out door to the cage. Do this by placing a j-clip on each corner of your cut out door, and attaching to the opening you created in the cage. Since the door was cut one inch larger, it should cover the hole perfectly.