by Angie Pollock

Created on: December 12, 2009

A rabbit hutch is an essential requirement for rabbits that will be housed outdoors.  However, these hutches can easily set an owner back a couple hundred dollars.  This leads the rabbit owner on the search for learning how to build their own rabbit hutch.  Individuals that are experienced with a Skill saw, hammer, and nails can build a well-constructed rabbit hutch and also save some money over pre-made hutches.

Hutch Considerations

A rabbit hutch should be designed to protect a rabbit from predators and the elements.  It will need to be several feet off of the ground and the base needs to be sturdy.  If a large predator such as a dog wants to get to the rabbit, having a sturdy base and cage will prevent a large animal from knocking the cage over.

The hutch can have either one or two rooms.  A two room hutch will have one room that is open and another that is enclosed.  A one room hutch is one open space and a nest box is provided to the rabbit instead of an enclosed room.  For two room hutches, the enclosed area is where the rabbit will rest and the open area is where the rabbit will eat and relieve itself. 

Flooring

Rabbit hutches have wire flooring.  For two room hutches, the enclosed area typically has a solid floor.  A wire that is 14-gauge with 1/2 to 1 inch openings works well depending upon the size of your rabbit.  The hole openings should be large enough for feces to pass through yet small enough so that your rabbit’s feet do not become caught in the openings.  Another consideration for flooring is the fact predators will also try to use the holes to get to your rabbit.

Some owners have made hutches with solid wood floors.  This can be done safely however; solid wood floors need daily cleaning.  Owners that can litter box train their rabbits can also use a litter box in the corner of the hutch to help keep the hutch floor from becoming soaked with urine.

Hutch Size and Materials

A rabbit hutch should be spacious – no animal should live in tiny confinements.  The general rule of thumb is to allow about one square foot of space for every pound that the rabbit weighs at adulthood.  An average rabbit hutch measures approximately 3 feet long by 2 1/2 feet wide.  The height should be around 20 inches.

The legs of the hutch should be made of pretreated wood to prevent rotting.  The length of the legs will depend upon your preference.  They need to provide support, be high enough to keep the hutch away from predators, yet not so high that you cannot easily clean the hutch or reach your rabbit.  The roof will need to extend past the edge and slope to allow rain to run off behind the hutch. 

The sides and flooring can be made from 14-guage wire while the roof and back can be made from wood.  Some owners prefer to use wire around the entire cage.  This is only recommended if the hutch is located in an area that is protected from wind and rain.  The doors on the front of the cage will depend upon which type of cage you have built.  A one room hutch can have wire covered doors while a two room hutch will need one wire door and one solid door with the solid door being placed where the rabbit’s rest area is located.

Once you have in mind what is needed to build your rabbit hutch, you can find different pictures of hutch designs.

Instructions for a simple 30” x 36” rabbit hutch including the materials needed are available at the Pet Place and the Rabbit Web websites.

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