How To Build self-cleaning Rabbit Cage Using Wood and coated iron mesh | Cheap and Easy Build, by ABC Rabbit Farm on YouTube. 8 min 50 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 50 s
- Time to do it
- 6 to 8 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Measure and cut the timber: four corner posts, a base frame and a roof frame. A cage around 120 cm long, 60 cm deep and 60 cm tall suits one rabbit.
Assemble the base frame with screws and check it is square by measuring the diagonals. Set it so the floor slopes gently toward the front, about 2 cm over the full length.
Stretch coated iron mesh over the base frame and staple it every 5 cm. Pull it tight so it does not sag under the rabbit's weight.
Make a shallow tray from metal or plastic sheet that slides under the mesh, with a lip at the front. Angle it so waste collects at one end.
Frame the sides and back with timber and cover them with mesh panels for airflow. Board up one end as a draught-free sleeping shelter.
Build a sloped roof with a 10 cm overhang and cover it with waterproof sheet or felt so rain runs off the back.
Hang a mesh door on hinges with a strong latch, and add a second bolt low down so a rabbit cannot push it open.
Sand the cut edges, brush on pet-safe wood sealer and bend or file every wire end inward before the cage goes outside.
Set the cage on level ground in a sheltered spot, add hay, a water bottle and a litter tray, then check the tray slides in and out freely.
Tips and common mistakes
Wear gloves when cutting mesh, because the cut ends are sharp.
Rabbits chew wood, so use a pet-safe sealer and keep treated timber out of reach.
Use mesh with gaps no wider than 25 mm so rabbits cannot squeeze out and predators cannot reach in.
Empty the tray every day or two, since the mesh floor only works if the tray is cleared.
Questions
How big should the cage be for one rabbit?
Aim for at least 120 cm by 60 cm by 60 cm so the rabbit can stand up and take a few hops. Bigger is better, and an attached run gives more exercise.
Will the wire mesh hurt the rabbit's feet?
Coated mesh with small gaps is kinder on the feet, and a solid board or mat in the sleeping area gives a soft place to rest. Check regularly for sagging and sharp ends.
Do I still need to clean the hutch if it is self-cleaning?
Yes. Slide out and empty the tray every day or two and wipe it down weekly. The mesh floor cuts down the work but does not replace cleaning.
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.
