How to Make a Cage Out of Wood

Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs need the security of a cage to be kept safe and contained. All-metal and plastic/metal combination cages are available in limited sizes and shapes from most pet shops. You can create your own custom cages with plywood, dimensional lumber and chicken wire for ventilation. Use treated fasteners for a longer-lasting cage that can be kept outside.

Things You'll Need

  • Plywood
  • Table saw
  • Tape measure
  • Square
  • Circular saw
  • Hinges
  • Wood screws
  • Drill
  • Barrel bolt
  • Pin nail gun
  • Wood glue
  • Chicken wire
  • Air stapler
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Instructions

  1. Making Parts

    • 1

      Use 3/4-inch plywood. Cut a top and bottom 24-by-24 inches. Cut two ends 23 1/4-by-20 inches and a back 22 1/2-by-20 inches.

    • 2

      Use a square to mark a rectangle on one face of the back piece, 3 inches in from each edge. Cut along the top edge of the rectangle with a circular saw.

    • 3

      Position two 2-inch utility hinges along this line, 1 inch in from each corner, with the hinge pin centered on the cut. Attach with one 1/2 inch wood screw through each hole in each hinge.

    • 4

      Cut the other three edges of the rectangle to free the door of the cage. Position a barrel bolt latch in the center of the bottom edge of the door so that the bolt slides down, with the eye piece of the latch on the face of the back, below the bottom edge of the door.

    • 5

      Attach the latch with a 1/2-inch wood screw through every hole in the latch, using a cordless drill.

    Assembly

    • 6

      Apply wood glue along the short edges of the back panel. Fit one end panel to each edge, overlapping by 3/4 inch, so that the back edges of the end panels are flush with the back face of the back panel.

    • 7

      Nail through the end panels into the edges of the back panel, using one 1 1/2 inch pin nail every 2 inches.

    • 8

      Apply glue along the long edges of the back panel and the edges of the end panel extending out from the back. Fit the top and bottom panels onto the sides of the three pieces so that it is flush with the back face of the back panel and the outside faces of the end panels.

    • 9

      Nail through the top and bottom panels into the edges of the end and back panels, one nail every 2 inches.

    • 10

      Use tin snips to cut a piece of chicken wire to cover the open face of the cage. Staple it to the edges of the end, top and bottom panels, one 1-inch narrow crown staple every 2 inches. Use pliers to bend any extending wire ends in to prevent injury.