How to Build a Shelter for Rabbits
A rabbit hutch is a dedicated enclosure where a rabbit can feel safe to play, exercise, sleep, and romp around. It is similar to a cage, but it is specially designed to keep the bunnies and rabbits comfortable outdoors.
If you have a beloved pet rabbit, or you are looking to get a pet rabbit, it is totally possible to create a DIY rabbit hutch. There are few different design options so you can choose the right style for your space and quantity of rabbits. Across all the design variations, the fundamental elements consist of a roof, a wood frame with legs that elevate the hutch from the ground, and wire panel sides that allow air to flow through the structure.
Read on to learn all about rabbit shelters and how to build a rabbit hutch.
What to Know About Building a Rabbit Hutch
When building a rabbit hutch, it is important to know a few key pieces of information.
Rabbit hutches are usually built a few inches or feet above the ground. The elevated level serves to protect rabbits from disturbances and predators on the ground. Multiple level hutches are designed to allow for ground access while still providing necessary protection.
When designing a rabbit hutch, it is ideal to make the largest size hutch that your space can accommodate. Rabbits need to have plenty of room to play freely and safely. At the very minimum, the area of the rabbit hutch should be at least four times the size of the rabbit’s body, but the larger the better.
Fun Facts About Rabbits
- Rabbits make great family pets because they are playful, silly, curious, independent, and affectionate.
- Rabbits are social creatures, and thrive when they spend time with rabbit companions.
- On average, rabbits live about 8 years.
- Rabbits’ long ears help them hear and regulate their body temperature.
- Rabbits are hygienic and clean themselves by licking their paws and fur.
- Rabbits have powerful legs. Most rabbits can jump 2-3 feet high and run an average of 35 miles per hour.
Popular Types and Designs of Rabbit Hutches
Sectional Rabbit Hutch
A sectional rabbit hutch, like this one, can hold multiple rabbits on a single level. An entire rabbit family can live comfortably in a sectional hutch. The sectional design allows the hutch to be easily moved. This feature is helpful in places where the temperatures drop substantially in the winter months and the hutch needs to be moved indoors.
Multilevel Rabbit Hutch
A multilevel rabbit hutch, like this one, can provide rabbits with protected space above and on the ground. The slanted ladder between levels is a fun feature for the rabbits, and the semi-closed room is a cozy space to keep warm. The lower-level enclosure gives rabbits private, safe access to yummy grass.
Rabbit Hutch with Ramps
Most rabbit hutches have doors, but not all rabbit hutches have ramps. This hutch design is a fun example of a large, kid-height hutch with exciting ramps. A ramp or two is a fun way for rabbits to enter and exit the hutch. Like the hutch doors, the ramps can be attached to hinges and close with latches.
Tools and Materials for Building a Rabbit Hutch
Tools
To build a rabbit hutch, you need standard household tools such as a tape measure, a ruler, a pencil, a hammer, a drill, cutting pliers, clamps, a level, sandpaper, protective goggles, work gloves, and earplugs.
You will need to cut the wood, and depending on the design you choose, specific types of saws may be required. A table saw, miter saw, and a circular saw can be useful when building a rabbit hutch. If you do not own a saw, the hardware store where you purchase the wood may be able to do a few simple cuts either for free or for a small fee.
A kreg jig, nail gun, staple gun, rivet gun, and random orbital sander are also commonly needed tools.
For any of the tools you do not own and aren’t looking to purchase, consider borrowing tools from a handy neighbor or friend. Additionally, many hardware stores have tool rental programs that are easy and affordable.
Materials
The material list may vary slightly from design to design, so consult the instructions. However, the following materials are common rabbit hutch components.
For the frame, you need lumber in specific dimensions. Pine 2x3s and 2x4s are commonly used. To reinforce the structure, galvanized steel angle fasteners are helpful. For the base, you will need plywood and wire mesh.
For the sides, you need wire mesh screens and siding materials like siding plywood or pine furring.
For the doors, you need wire mesh screens, latch locks, and hinges.
For the roof, you can use sheet metal; however, metal roofing can be expensive, noisy, hot, and difficult to handle because of the sharp edges. A high-quality, affordable, and DIY-friendly option is a roof made with Onduline’s ONDURA® PREMIUM SERIES corrugated asphalt roofing panels. The line includes products in 9 and 10 corrugation full sheets, 10 corrugation half sheets, and uniquely corrugated full sheets. All of the Onduline roofing products are lightweight, easy to trim, waterproof, wind resistant, and fast to install. The products are available in red, brown, green, or black. The sheets do not have sharp edges, will not corrode, and do not radiate heat or noise. Most rabbit hutch designs use a shed-style roof, but if you decide to install a gable roof, you will need a ridge cap.
Wood screws, pocket hole screws, self-drilling hex screws, staples, bolts, and pop rivets can be helpful for connecting the components in most rabbit hutch designs.
To seal the wood and add colorful flare, wood stain and paint can be applied as a finishing touch. It is critical that the stain or paint is safe for chew-happy rabbits. Animal-safe stains and paints are usually VOC free, ammonia free, and non-toxic. This woodworking site provides a comprehensive list of pet safe wood finishes. A drop cloth can protect the ground while you are painting or staining, and gloves can protect your hands. To prepare the wood for finishing, you need sandpaper to smooth the surface and a damp rag to wipe away dust. For staining, you will need a bristle brush and/or rag. For painting, you will need a brush and painters tape to mark off any areas that do not need to be painted. Decorative stencils can take your finish to the next level.
And finally, don’t forget the rabbit bedding! Rabbits enjoy straw bedding because it is warm and cozy.
10 Steps in Building a Rabbit Hutch
While rabbit hutches are highly customizable and may follow specific instructions, there are a few critical steps involved in building any rabbit hutch.
- The first step is to select or create your design. The design should meet the needs of your rabbits and fit your space. Take note of all necessary tools and materials, as well as the quantity of materials needed.
- The second step is to acquire all the tools and materials needed for the project. Ensure your space is prepared for the project. If you plan to apply a paint or stain finish to the wood components of your hutch, determine when in the construction process is best to stain or paint. Some designs call for painting the cut pieces, and other designs call for painting assembled hutches.
- Once you are ready to begin construction, measure (twice!) and cut the pieces needed for the base and frame. Sand and assemble the wood components.
- Once the foundation is constructed, assemble the floor frame and attach the flooring or tray to the legs. Rabbits enjoy a mix of breathable and solid floors. Some rabbit hutches are designed to collect rabbit waste for garden fertilizer. If you aren’t looking to compost the rabbit waste, install a pan under the wire floor to collect the droppings.
- The next step is to frame the top and attach the sides and back. If your design includes entrance and exit ramps, now is the time to add those.
- Once the sides are constructed, it is time to add the roof.
- If your hutch design includes interior panels, now is the time to add those. Some designs include middle panels that are solid to separate rabbits who do not get along, and some designs include panels with openings that invite the rabbits to travel between the sections.
- Next, build and attach the front panels and doors.
- An important finishing step is to trim or conceal any excess components to limit the opportunity for curious rabbits to chew on elements of the hutch. Make sure all wires are tucked away and all screws and nails are fully embedded in the wood.
- Finally, celebrate the completion of your DIY rabbit hutch with a grand-opening ceremony.
For more DIY inspiration and materials, visit the Onduline site today!