DIY Urban Homestead Rabbit House Build, by Leo & Riz on YouTube. 20 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 20 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Decide the hutch size before you buy timber. For one medium rabbit, aim for a floor at least 90 cm by 60 cm, plus a raised sleeping box at one end.
Cut the 2x4s and screw together a rectangular base frame and four corner posts. Check the corners are square by measuring both diagonals.
Fix a plywood floor to the base frame and raise the whole hutch on short legs or blocks so it sits off damp ground.
Frame the walls and roof with 2x4s, then close the sides with plywood, leaving the front open for mesh.
Cover the open front and any vents with hardware cloth, stapling it tight and folding the cut edges inward so nothing sharp points into the hutch.
Cut a door in the front mesh panel and fit it with hinges and a barrel latch that a raccoon cannot flick open.
Fit a solid plywood roof with a slight slope and an overhang so rain runs off the back.
Add a removable plywood tray or slide-out floor panel under the bedding so you can lift it out for cleaning.
Check every joint and edge for gaps wider than 2 cm, then add bedding and a water bottle before your rabbit moves in.
Tips and common mistakes
Use hardware cloth rather than chicken wire, which predators can tear open.
Wear gloves and eye protection when cutting mesh, since the cut ends are sharp.
Leave a gap under the roof for airflow, but mesh it so rain and animals stay out.
Ask someone to help you lift the finished hutch, as framed timber gets heavy.
Questions
How big should a rabbit hutch be?
A single medium rabbit needs at least 90 cm by 60 cm of floor space, plus a covered sleeping area. Bigger is always better, and a attached run makes a real difference.
How do I keep predators out?
Line every opening with strong hardware cloth and use a latch that needs two actions to open. Raise the hutch off the ground and check for gaps along the base.
How often should I clean it out?
Remove soiled bedding every day or two and do a full change once a week. A slide-out floor tray makes both jobs much faster.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
