| Wondering about rabbit hutch design? Are you | | | | winter. |
| getting a new rabbit? The next step is preparing for | | | | If you do have experience with tools or know |
| his arrival. This means you need to provide your new | | | | someone who does who can help, you may want to |
| pet with a proper rabbit hutch. If you have decided | | | | look at some of the more elaborate hutches. Choose |
| to build your own, congratulations! You'll have the | | | | one that gives your rabbit plenty of space. Don't |
| opportunity to do something special for your pet that | | | | worry about building more than one space. Your |
| you can take pride in. | | | | rabbit is fine with one large room. If you do choose |
| Your first stop will be the Internet to browse all the | | | | one with an enclosed area, be sure you can access |
| free plans available for building rabbit hutches. There | | | | both areas easily for cleaning. Choose a hutch that |
| are several to choose from! Before you begin, will | | | | offers protection from the weather for your rabbit. |
| your rabbit live indoors or out? Rabbits thrive in either | | | | It should have a slanted roof that projects out far |
| place; in fact, they handle cold weather better than | | | | enough to keep rain out of their cage. If you live in a |
| heat, so many prefer the fresh air to living indoors all | | | | place with lots of snow, make sure the roof is sturdy |
| the time. | | | | enough to handle it. |
| Next, assess your building ability. Have you used | | | | Is the cage designed so you can easily reach all |
| power tools before? Do you know how to use a | | | | corners for thorough cleaning? Any cage that |
| square to make the frame straight? If not, you may | | | | contains wood will need to be disinfected on a regular |
| want to opt for a wire cage. They are simple to put | | | | basis. How large is the door? You will find out that |
| together. You can put them in a garage, a shed or an | | | | larger doors are preferable to small doors. Think of |
| RV tent. They can be set up on a back deck or | | | | your own comfort here. Can you easily fit through to |
| under an arbor that offers a roof. | | | | catch your pet when you need to? If you're not |
| Wire cages can be ordered in pieces from many | | | | sure, measure out the size of door the plan describes |
| rabbit supply companies or you can purchase heavy | | | | and draw it on a large piece of paper so you can see |
| duty 14 gauge wire mesh at your local farm store. | | | | it firsthand. |
| Even if power tools aren't your forte, you can | | | | Once you've chosen the rabbit hutch design you like |
| probably manage to make a decent frame to hold | | | | best that fits your location, you're ready to print out |
| your wire cage out of some 2 x 4s and a sloping | | | | the plan and head to the hardware store. Good luck |
| plywood top. You can cover the top with roofing | | | | with your new pet! |
| materials, corrugated tin or a heavy duty tarp in the | | | | |