A rabbit cage is a great way to keep your rabbit safe while also giving him the freedom to run and explore. First of all, consider the size of the cage. The cage should be large enough to accommodate all the rabbits when they reach adulthood. Add wire on the outside along with the door. Make the cage more comfortable by including a feeding bowl and a rabbit's favorite toy.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparing the Ingredients
Step 1. Plan the design of the cage
Most cages are made of a wooden frame with wire windows and doors. When considering the size of the cage, determine the number of rabbits that will live in it. Rabbits should be able to move freely in a cage, approximately four times the rabbit's body size per head. The ideal rabbit cage height is at least 40 cm.
- For example, if a rabbit is 13 cm wide and 25 cm long, it will require 1.3 square meters of space.
- If you're keeping several rabbits in one cage, it's a good idea to consider whether or not to install a room divider. This divider is useful if you want to separate the rabbits.
- Try to keep the height of the cage no more than 75 cm. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time getting inside and getting the rabbit out easily.
Step 2. Prepare solid wood for the frame and supports for the cage
Use 5 cm sticks for the frame and 10 cm for the posts. Make sure the condition of the wood is upright and not bent. Don't choose wood with large lumps or signs of splitting at the edges. The amount of wood needed depends on the size of the cage.
- Unprocessed spruce is suitable for frames and supports. This wood is strong against weather conditions and is not toxic if bitten by a rabbit.
- For example, if you build a cage measuring 100 cm x 70 cm x 50 cm, that means you will need 4 pieces of 100 cm long, 4 70 cm wide and 4 50 cm wide.
- If you want to install a wooden door in a cage, prepare the wood to make the lintel and door leaf. Usually, you can use a smaller piece of wood, such as 2.5 cm or even 1 cm.
- Consider the floor height of your rabbit cage from the ground. If you want the cage to be 1.2 meters off the ground, you will need 4 1.2 meters of wood to support the cage.
Step 3. Choose plywood (plywood) for the floor and roof
You will need one sheet of wood for the roof and another for the floor, which is the appropriate size for the length and width of the cage. Plywood is sold in sheet form, so it's best to buy 1-2 pieces at the beginning of the project. You can cut the plywood to the size of the cage and use the rest for other projects.
- Look for plywood that is golden or bright reddish in color. The wood should not have large ridges, breakage symptoms, or flakes.
- For example, if you build a cage measuring 100 cm X 70 cm X 50 cm, prepare 2 sheets of plywood (one for the roof and one for the floor) with a size of 100 cm x 70 cm.
Step 4. Measure the log
Lay out all of your wood so you can see all of the cage materials clearly. Choose a piece of wood, and measure it to the required length using a tape measure. Mark the measurement point with a pencil or marker. The wood will be cut at this point. Repeat until all the wood has been measured.
Group wood by “type” before measuring. For example, measure each truss individually, but work in sequence. This way you reduce the chance of wrong measurements by not switching from one type of wood to another
Step 5. Cut the wood
Wear safety glasses and gloves. Prepare an easel (if using a hand saw) or table saw (if using a chainsaw). Position one log on the saw or saw table at a time. Align the saw with the marks made and cut the wood finely and evenly.
- Make sure you read all the instructions on how to use the saw and are able to use it comfortably before trying a more complex project, such as building a rabbit cage.
- Before you cut individual wood with the saw, double check your safety to make sure your hands and feet are in the correct position and away from the direction of the saw cut.
- If you don't have a saw or don't feel comfortable using it, many panglong shops will cut wood for their customers. You simply buy the wood in this panglong and ask him to cut the wood according to the size you provide for each log. Cutting wood will cost you, but not too much.
Step 6. Select the wire gauze
We recommend using galvanized wire with a gauge of 14 or 16 so it doesn't get damaged when bitten by a rabbit. Use rabbit wire mesh measuring 2.5 cm x 5 cm for the walls and door of the cage. Use rabbit gauze measuring 1 cm x 2.5 cm for the floor. Soft gauze will protect the rabbit's feet.
- Do not use chicken wire as it is not strong enough against rabbit bites.
- You can buy wire gauze at Panglong or building materials stores in the form of rolls or panels that have been cut. Most hardware stores don't stock rabbit gauze to the right specifications.
Step 7. Cut the wire mesh
Use pliers or wire shears to cut the mesh to the size of the outside of the cage. You will need 4 screen panels for each side of the cage. You'll also need additional wire if the cage has a wooden door frame.
Step 8. Prepare the other ingredients
Purchase shingles for the roof if the cage will be outdoors and exposed to various weathers. This component will maximize the life of the roof. Prepare 2 hinges and a latch for the cage door.
You can buy shingles and locks at most hardware stores. Get shingles that can overlap slightly and fit over the same roof size
Part 2 of 3: Preparing the Basic Structure
Step 1. Assemble the two ends of the cage
Use wood screws to attach 2 wide and 2 tall logs. When you do, you will get a rectangular outline. The two bars in width and height must be opposite each other. Do the same again with the remaining 4 pieces of wood long and wide. Now, you have 2 rectangles that will be the walls of the cage.
Step 2. Assemble the tall logs in the cage
Use wood screws to attach each tall wood so that it connects the corner of one end to the corner of the other complete end. Continue until you have installed all the tall bars. In the end, the frame of the rabbit cage should resemble the shape of a block.
Step 3. Attach the wire mesh to the wooden frame
Rotate the frame on the ground until it's in position, minus the supports. This way, you can visualize how to attach the wire. Take each piece of wire mesh and attach it to one of the open spaces in the frame using an industrial grade wood stapler. Use a stapler every 2.5 cm (or more or less) to secure the screen tightly and ensure that there are no open gaps.
Make sure you hold the gauze tightly when it is installed. Therefore, it is best to ask others for help during this stage
Step 4. Finish by attaching the top and bottom sides of the cage
While the cage is facing up, position the roof against the top of the frame. Place the screws along the edges of the frame. Ask someone else to overturn the cage so that the bottom is now facing up. Position the cage floor plywood on the frame and screw the screws along the edges tightly. If so, carefully overturn the cage.
You can use simple plywood as a room divider. It's a good idea to make small holes in the divider wall before placing it in the cage to allow airflow inside
Step 5. Create the door
Use a wire cutter to cut the screen on the front side of the cage and make room for the door. Roll the plastic trim around the edges of the newly exposed wire. You can also make a square wooden frame for the door, attach two hinges there, then cover it with wire mesh before installing. You can also make a door with just wire mesh. Attach the door to the cage body using a c-ring or stapler.
- Wire doors are easier to make, but can be difficult to open and close over time. Wooden doors are sturdier, but take time to build.
- Consider installing a latch on the door. The door lock will help prevent the rabbit from escaping. An ordinary latch is sufficient for a wooden door. If you are using a wire door, we recommend choosing a latch lock.
Step 6. Install the truss
With someone's help, overturn the cage one more time. Then, use a combination of L brackets and wood screws to attach the leg posts to the base of the frame. Attach one truss for each corner at the base of the cage.
Part 3 of 3: Installing and Finishing the Cage
Step 1. Add shingles and drainage
Rabbit cages don't really need a shingle roof, but they will last a long time. Attach the shingles or metal roofing slabs to the plywood foundation above the cage with nails. If you want to create drainage, extend the shingles so that they hang slightly over the edge of the cage. You can also make it slightly tilted downwards.
Add a layer of tar paper under the shingles to better protect the cage from water
Step 2. Find a safe place for the cage
We recommend that you choose a place that is not too noisy and not often passed by people. It is even better if the area is far from forest areas inhabited by wildlife. Try to choose a place under a tree so that it is protected from direct sunlight throughout the day.
The cage should also be placed in a place that is easy to supervise
Step 3. Reinforce the supports with concrete
Most cages are heavy enough that their own weight is sufficient to stabilize them. However, if you want to increase its strength, dig 4 holes in the ground where the trusses will be. Then, insert the stanchion into the hole. Make sure the cage is balanced, and put a small amount of concrete into each truss hole.
Step 4. Put in food, floor mats, and toys
You can place your dinner plate directly on the floor, but a water bottle should be attached to the wall of the cage. You can add lots of hay or scraps of unbleached paper to the floor to protect the rabbit's fragile paws. Make sure to also put his favorite toys.
Tips
- You can install the lattice panels in the open space under the cage. Therefore. You can use this space as a storage area.
- You can also make several single cages and put them together to keep several rabbits. Multi-cages are great if you have lots of rabbits and need extra space to quarantine new arrivals or sick animals.
