Warm weather is upon us. It’s time to build that Rabbit Hutch that you have been thinking about all winter.
I had no idea how many worthless websites advertise ‘Free’ rabbit hutch and cage plans I would find on a google search. A full 95% are totally useless or bait and switch sites in an attempt to sell you something you can easily build for 1/4 their list price not to mention the cost of shipping.
STEP 1
If you can, order plywood panels precut to size, otherwise use a power saw along a straight edge to cut materials to size. Measure up 500mm from back bottom of each side (A); join to front top corner; cut off to form a roof slope.
STEP 2
Mark a 70 x 19mm notch in the top back edge of the roof slope and another (same size) 50mm in from the front corner. Use a jigsaw to cut. Also lower the roof in front of the front notch by 19mm.
STEP 3
Cut or plane a slope matching the roof at the top of the front panels (B) and glue and screw 2 of them to the inside front edges of the sides (A).
STEP 4
Screw the 2 side assemblies to base (C) so the front panel is flush with the front of the base. Then add the back (D).
STEP 5
Cut handles (E) to length and cut a 140 x 30mm taper at each end on the underside. Glue and screw them into the slots at top edges of side panels (A).
STEP 6
Glue and screw the front top rail (F) to the lowered section at the front top of the side panels, and also screw from the handle into the rail. Measure 353mm from the left inside edge of front panel along the base and the underside of the top rail, and screw the third front panel in place.
STEP 7
Screw partition (G) into the hutch, 420mm from the left-hand end. This gives bunny a partitioned-off area for security and protection from the elements. However, as your pet is likely to chew the edges, you may want to replace this part in the future. Use screws, not glue.
STEP 8
Cut the solid door (H) to size. It should leave a millimetre or so all around to make closing easy. Fix 2 T-hinges to the doors, with the end of the barrels flush with the top and bottom of the door. Place door on 2mm spacers, then screw hinge to the front panel. Insert 1 screw top and bottom first, check operation, then put in the rest of the screws.
STEP 9
Mark a 50mm border around the perimeter of the larger mesh door (I). Plunge a power saw into the lines by pivoting on the front of the saw base. Start saw and slowly feed it into the plywood about 80mm in front of the back line. Run along line as normal, stopping short of the end. Repeat for each line, then finish cuts with a jigsaw into each corner.
STEP 10
Cut both aviary mesh and aluminium insect screening to a size of 600 x 520mm. Place offcut from Step 9 back in the hole, align the meshes so they are even all around, then cut 4 lengths of aluminium cover strip (J), 2 at 520mm and 2 at 550mm long. The aviary wire goes on the inside to provide extra protection against rabbits trying to scratch the fine mesh. The coarse mesh protects against foxes and cats, while the insect screening keeps the mozzies out. Predrill for 4 screws in each strip, then secure the layers of mesh with cover strips. Fit the door to the hutch with T-hinges.
STEP 11
Cut an extra hatch in the right-hand side. This door is 350 x
250mm and spaced 50mm from the bottom edge and front of the side panel. Stand hutch on blocks so you can cut on the flat. Use plunge cuts (see Step 9), then flip it over on the bench. In the same way as before (Step 10), screw 2 meshes and aluminium cover strips – 350mm and 300mm long – inside the panel. The hatch allows extra breeze through on warm days. When it’s cooler, close the door. Screw on door using 2 smaller strap hinges.
STEP 12
Add a small hasp and staple lock at each door (for padlocks).
STEP 13
Add 2 feet (K) to the underside of the hutch to provide ventilation and stop the hutch from rotting early when on damp ground. Locate feet 50mm in from the front and back. Screw on from the inside.
STEP 14
To fit the roof or lid (L), chisel a housing for the hinge barrel in the back of the hutch back, 100mm from ends. Chisel out until the T of the hinge is flush with the back and the strap flat on the top edge. This is necessary as the hinge fits on the inside of the lid and on the outside of the back.
STEP 15
Paint the inside of the hutch with 2 coats of water-based acrylic to make surfaces easy to clean. Use exterior acrylic on the outside but avoid mesh and hinges.
I had no idea how many worthless websites advertise ‘Free’ rabbit hutch and cage plans I would find on a google search. A full 95% are totally useless or bait and switch sites in an attempt to sell you something you can easily build for 1/4 their list price not to mention the cost of shipping.
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| How to build a rabbit hutch plans |
STEP 1
If you can, order plywood panels precut to size, otherwise use a power saw along a straight edge to cut materials to size. Measure up 500mm from back bottom of each side (A); join to front top corner; cut off to form a roof slope.
STEP 2
Mark a 70 x 19mm notch in the top back edge of the roof slope and another (same size) 50mm in from the front corner. Use a jigsaw to cut. Also lower the roof in front of the front notch by 19mm.
STEP 3
Cut or plane a slope matching the roof at the top of the front panels (B) and glue and screw 2 of them to the inside front edges of the sides (A).
STEP 4
Screw the 2 side assemblies to base (C) so the front panel is flush with the front of the base. Then add the back (D).
STEP 5
Cut handles (E) to length and cut a 140 x 30mm taper at each end on the underside. Glue and screw them into the slots at top edges of side panels (A).
STEP 6
Glue and screw the front top rail (F) to the lowered section at the front top of the side panels, and also screw from the handle into the rail. Measure 353mm from the left inside edge of front panel along the base and the underside of the top rail, and screw the third front panel in place.
STEP 7
Screw partition (G) into the hutch, 420mm from the left-hand end. This gives bunny a partitioned-off area for security and protection from the elements. However, as your pet is likely to chew the edges, you may want to replace this part in the future. Use screws, not glue.
 |
| Build rabbit hutch plans |
Cut the solid door (H) to size. It should leave a millimetre or so all around to make closing easy. Fix 2 T-hinges to the doors, with the end of the barrels flush with the top and bottom of the door. Place door on 2mm spacers, then screw hinge to the front panel. Insert 1 screw top and bottom first, check operation, then put in the rest of the screws.
STEP 9
Mark a 50mm border around the perimeter of the larger mesh door (I). Plunge a power saw into the lines by pivoting on the front of the saw base. Start saw and slowly feed it into the plywood about 80mm in front of the back line. Run along line as normal, stopping short of the end. Repeat for each line, then finish cuts with a jigsaw into each corner.
STEP 10
Cut both aviary mesh and aluminium insect screening to a size of 600 x 520mm. Place offcut from Step 9 back in the hole, align the meshes so they are even all around, then cut 4 lengths of aluminium cover strip (J), 2 at 520mm and 2 at 550mm long. The aviary wire goes on the inside to provide extra protection against rabbits trying to scratch the fine mesh. The coarse mesh protects against foxes and cats, while the insect screening keeps the mozzies out. Predrill for 4 screws in each strip, then secure the layers of mesh with cover strips. Fit the door to the hutch with T-hinges.
STEP 11
Cut an extra hatch in the right-hand side. This door is 350 x
250mm and spaced 50mm from the bottom edge and front of the side panel. Stand hutch on blocks so you can cut on the flat. Use plunge cuts (see Step 9), then flip it over on the bench. In the same way as before (Step 10), screw 2 meshes and aluminium cover strips – 350mm and 300mm long – inside the panel. The hatch allows extra breeze through on warm days. When it’s cooler, close the door. Screw on door using 2 smaller strap hinges.
STEP 12
Add a small hasp and staple lock at each door (for padlocks).
STEP 13
Add 2 feet (K) to the underside of the hutch to provide ventilation and stop the hutch from rotting early when on damp ground. Locate feet 50mm in from the front and back. Screw on from the inside.
STEP 14
To fit the roof or lid (L), chisel a housing for the hinge barrel in the back of the hutch back, 100mm from ends. Chisel out until the T of the hinge is flush with the back and the strap flat on the top edge. This is necessary as the hinge fits on the inside of the lid and on the outside of the back.
STEP 15
Paint the inside of the hutch with 2 coats of water-based acrylic to make surfaces easy to clean. Use exterior acrylic on the outside but avoid mesh and hinges.
