Hutches and Cottontails Bunny Barn Easy-to-build Rabbit Home

I care for rabbits and enjoy sharing husbandry and housing tips.

A good-sized bunny hutch.

Bob Vila

You Can Build Your Own Rabbit Hutch

If you like to do things yourself and save money in the process, building your own rabbit hutch is an excellent way to create a home for your rabbit that is nice and healthy. Most commercially available rabbit hutches are just too small for a bunny to be really happy in. Would you be happy if you could only walk two or three steps one way, turn around and walk back every day of your life? Of course not! But many rabbit hutches are so small that a bunny can't do much more than that.

Building a rabbit hutch is fairly simple; all you need is a few basic materials and tools.

What You Need to Build a Rabbit Hutch

• Circular saw
• Timber
• Wire netting
• Drill

Design Tips

• Height: Make sure that the hutch is at least 60 cm (two feet) tall. Rabbits love to jump, and when they are happy they will jump and spin in the air. Many commercially available rabbit hutches are only about one foot high, which is really too low for an active, healthy bunny.
• Floor Space: Make sure that there is plenty of floor space. Our bunny hutch measures three feet by six feet, or one meter by two meters. The bunny has plenty of room to hop around, and that makes her very happy indeed. Rabbits are active creatures; it's not fair to confine them in very small spaces for the bulk of their lives.
• Easy Access: Design your hutch with a large lid for easy access. Another common problem with hutches is that the door will be relatively small and at one end of the hutch, allowing the bunny to escape very easily and making catching the rabbit difficult and making cleaning the hutch properly very hard indeed. When we built our hutch, we designed it so the entire wire roof was a large hinged door, making it easy to get inside the hutch, work with the bunny and clean it properly.
• Shelter: Make sure that you provide shelter in the hutch. A covered area that will keep the rain off is a must for all rabbit hutches. It is also a good idea to make sure that the floor of the covered area is raised off the ground, even if only by an inch or two. By building the floor on top of the bottom frame rather than under it, you will prevent the wood from soaking up so much groundwater and rotting.
• Wire Gauge: Choosing the wire gauge is another decision you will have to make. We went with a fairly large gauge wire of about 1.5 inches. I have found that smaller wire, especially when on the bottom of the cage, quickly gets clogged with sticky bunny poo and is horrible to try to clean up.

Note About Wire Flooring

I received a comment from a "rabbit rescue volunteer" who took issue with keeping rabbits outside and on a wire floor. This is a fair comment, and I would like to address it. First of all, the wire is always covered with hay—I should have mentioned this originally. Wire can cause harm to a rabbit's feet if they hop about on it uncovered. However, wire is absolutely essential because rabbits can and do dig. They can dig their way out of an enclosure in a few hours and even worse, if there is no wire, predators can dig their way in.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Rabbits

As for not keeping rabbits outside, I have had indoor and outdoor rabbits, and both appear to have thrived well. Not everyone can handle the smell of bunny pee and poop inside, and no matter how much you clean a rabbit's litter box, they really do smell. So, you know, to each their own on that issue.

Gina Urso on July 16, 2020:

Are these plans still available? would anyone else that received them be able to share xandernme@aol.com

Todd kirk on June 20, 2020:

I would love to have the plans I have 3 giant Flemish need a new home

ladyjanesrabbits on June 15, 2020:

Can you send me the dimensions? Did anyone else receive them?

HarveyMBrown on April 17, 2020:

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Has anybody been able to get the dimensional drawings for this rabbit hutch?

Harvey Brown on April 17, 2020:

Hello, how can I get dimensional drawings for this rabbit enclosure?

Joel Skipper on May 16, 2019:

Would you please share those plans with me. jskipper@wisd.org

Thank you

Reed on April 03, 2019:

I see a lot of these comments but could you email me the plans? Reedgallup@yahoo.com

Valerie on October 01, 2018:

Would love to have the plans for our new addition. vaworry@yahoo.com

April on September 02, 2018:

Would love the plans for this, even to buy the plans, my Flemish rabbits need a new bigger area.

Argoodin-wood@hotmail.com

Erin Rodriguez on July 25, 2018:

Are the plans still available for this? Please email to momserbear@yahoo.com

LeAnn on June 21, 2018:

I would love the plans for this! ltaylor@arrowheaddental.com

Haley on June 02, 2018:

Love this hutch! If plans are still available, can you email them to Aggie_of2002@hotmail.com

h6russell on May 16, 2018:

Are the plans still available? If so, can you please send the plans and listed materials to h6russell@yahoo.com. I've purchased 4 chicken coops/rabbit hutches and still like the functionality of this one the best. Thanks in advance!!!

Melissa on April 18, 2018:

I love this hutch, if at all possable please send the plans and the materials list to starsandjoy@gmail.com Thank you so much! I look forward to building it with my girls!

Melissa on March 30, 2018:

Could you please send the plans to mrspineapple79@gmail.com. I love the look of this hutch. Thanks!!

Crystal on March 25, 2018:

Could you please send the plans to me at Cklamo@yahoo.com

I really want to build this for my babies they would love it

Bronla@yahoo.com on February 15, 2018:

Do you have plans available?

Amanda on February 13, 2018:

I would love the plans too! thegatrells@yahoo.com

Nancy on February 09, 2018:

This is a beautiful hutch! My two bunnies would be so happy in here! Can you please send the plans to

Nancylovesshopping@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Elizabeth on February 01, 2018:

Can you please send the plans to

elizabethstallman@gmail.com

Danielle on December 19, 2017:

I would love to see these plans of you could please send to healnhands123@comcast.net

Jeremy smith on December 19, 2017:

Can you send the plans to jwsmith90@outlook.com thanks

Kelly Wert on November 12, 2017:

Could you send plans fo r this hutch to kellyswert@gmail.com. this is t he best I've seen a nd we need a bigger hutch stat. My Flemish giant is getting huge

Julie G on September 28, 2017:

Could u please send the plans for this hutch? jules111364@msn.com Thanks!

Nancy Morningstar on September 27, 2017:

Could you please send the specs to mstar55@aol.com. Thanks!

Gloria chupp on August 15, 2017:

Could I please have the specs. gloria.chupp@yahoo.com

Thanks so much

Sierra Martinez on August 15, 2017:

I would love a blueprint

sierra_martinez27@aol.com

Keith on June 16, 2017:

Would also love plans for this rabbit hutch,please send to klaforest2010@hotmail.com....Thank you

rabbit lover on May 22, 2017:

I love this hutch but do you have a blueprint for it?

if so please email me pdaniels2002@gmail.com

Terri on May 06, 2017:

I'd love these plans, can someone email to me? Terridickerson@hotmail.com

Shane on April 18, 2017:

Would love the blueprint for my Rabbits. If you could email me at herbkennedy@yahoo.com it would be much appreciated. Thanks

Destiny on April 12, 2017:

I love this and recently got a bunny and want to make him a hutch. Can someone send me the blueprints for this? Please and thank you! destinyfreiberg@gmail.com

David on April 05, 2017:

I found this information to be vey helpful, we are just beginning our lives as proud and excited bunny care givers by default. I would like to build this particular environment, please share the plan with us. It can be emailed to us at skillmanda@gmail.com thank for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

Rachel on January 05, 2017:

I would Love the blueprints of this bunny den! If possible could you please email me details or blueprint setup. Thank You! email: rvr413@gmail.com

Kate on December 04, 2016:

Can you send me the blue prints? This hutch is awesome and I would really like to know the blue prints can you email them to me at kategross81@yahoo.com. Thx

Tamera on June 10, 2016:

can you put mulitple bunnies in one caged area???

Kathryn Wangsadirdja on May 22, 2016:

I have 2 males rabbit and never get along with each other

I found your hutch might solve my problem for their housing.

If you don't mind share the plan to build the hutch, please email me at kwangsadirdja@yahoo.com

Thank you in advance

Matthew on February 22, 2016:

This is awesome, I have a client who is looking for something like this. If you would, could I please have the blueprints and cost? My email is matchutyner@gmail.com Thanks so much!

kylie0204 on February 12, 2016:

This hutch is fantastic, could you please send though blue prints to kylie0204@live.com thank you

Kathey on January 23, 2016:

This Hutch is wonderful can I get the plans for this bunny Hutch? katbbs@yahoo.com

Danita on September 30, 2015:

Can I get the plans for this bunny hutch? animallover4life3013@gmail.com

Amy on September 03, 2015:

Rabbits don't live as long outside. And also, your rabbit shouldn't smell at all if cared for properly.

Rachel on May 08, 2015:

would love the plan as well if anyone is getting a reply, soulyspirit@Hotmail.com

Sarah on February 27, 2015:

Can i please have the plans too??? sarahjayne1988@hotmail.com

Tiffany on December 08, 2014:

Hi can I please have the plans to the hutch please send it to tiffanyjane2@hotmail.com

Venzaan on October 08, 2014:

Hi can I please have the plans to the hutch please send it to venzaanvdberg@vodamail.co.za

Dawn on September 28, 2014:

Please send blue prints if possible, the store bought hutches are way to small and would love my bunnies to have plenty of space. Thank you dawnpagan@yahoo.com

Jean Nagle on September 23, 2014:

Please could I get the plans to build this. E-mail me at denjen2130@aol.com. Thanks

Ali on September 11, 2014:

Hi can I please have the plans to the hutch please send it to aliswanston@xtra.co.nz

liz on September 04, 2014:

I love the hutch will house my rabbits ! Can you please send me plans @ elizabeth60085@yahoo.com

Morgan on August 28, 2014:

Are the plans for this hutch still available?

morganc700769@yahoo.com

Lisa Binggeli on July 15, 2014:

I love your Hutch. I would be more than happy to pay you for the plans. (blue print). we just got a rabbit. I have a daycare and the kids love her so much. This would be so much fun to build.

thanks.

lbinggeli123@comcast.net

h on July 05, 2014:

Where did u get that rabbit hutch!??? Also how long and wide is it and tall?????//

larry on June 07, 2014:

Where does one get the plans for this rabbit hutch from?

lfra369@gmail.com

larry on June 07, 2014:

Where does one get the plans for this rabbit hutch from?

Gwen Maddox on May 30, 2014:

Gwen posts.......

Bring on the plans for this wonderful rabbit hutch!! Really, do you mind sharing the design, or can I buy the plans???

TJ on April 29, 2014:

I really have looked all over for ahutch that I thought would be fitting for rabbits and your is by far the best built. Could you send me information on how to build one just like it? I would appreciate it greatly. My e-mail is 2good4luv@gmail.com

josh on April 14, 2014:

does anyone have bunnies at all?

Rory on February 15, 2014:

I would like the plans as well if anyone has them please send rory.xd40@gmail.com thanks

Victor Bernardino on January 30, 2014:

please send me the prints.

Thanks

vjbernardino@hotmail.com

Tim on November 03, 2013:

Anyone fancy sending over the plan for this as well please.

tim.cooper38@gmail.com

fergy on October 22, 2013:

I would love to get plans as well. Has anyone received them? Please email at hfwestern@earthlink.net with info, cost, etc. I have 10 rabbits + 3 new babies last night. I need something like this please!

Thanks

paradigm2012 on September 28, 2013:

Did anyone get plans for the hutch shown? If not, did you build your own? Am about to embark on building a hutch and would like to get it right the first time. Thanks

If so please send to gteed@mdparadigm.com, thanks

Lisa Smith on September 04, 2013:

I would love a copy of these plans! We just purchased a Flemish Giant and would love plans to build a bigger hutch with a yard for him. Please email me with the plans if they are available or how much you are selling them for. lisafsmith@hotmail.com

Thanks,

Lisa.

Karen on August 29, 2013:

If you are giving out the plans and material list for this hutch - I would love to have it as well. ksparrough@hotmail.com

thanks

Tony on August 16, 2013:

Love this hutch!! Interested in plans and a material list please.

My E-Mail is mcdonaldtony@live.com.

Thank you.

Sue on August 13, 2013:

Please send blue prints for this hutch, love it! sue@nhnotary.com

Thanks!

Faith on July 19, 2013:

interested in building this i just got 6 bunnies that need a hutch and this is perfect i need instructions to build it as i don't have much money to go and buy one like this in store

my email verybusygirl@charter.net

thank you

Donna on July 09, 2013:

Love this hutch!! Interested in plans and a material list. Email: hostahoney@hotmail.com

Thanks!

Cheryl on June 13, 2013:

Love this hutch and I know my 5 bunnies would too! I would love to purchase the plans. Enjoyed the post as well, very informative.

Please email me at clsticker@cfl.rr.com

Thank you so very much!

Loz on May 31, 2013:

This hutch looks amazing!

Could someone please email the blueprint and material list to me???

laurenmcmullen6@hotmail.com

Thankyou in advance!

Melissa on May 20, 2013:

Can I get these plans please... tklm2009.mw@gmail.com

Chloe T on May 18, 2013:

hiya ... if it is possible could you please send me the plans/blueprint/how to build this and a list of everything i need my email address is chloeturner30.googlemail.com

i have 4 bunnies and i know they would love this in the summer :)

thank you :)

Chloe T on May 18, 2013:

hiya ... if it is possible could you please send me the plans/blueprint/how to build this and a list of everything i need?

i have 4 bunnies and i know they would love this in the summer :)

HEHE on April 21, 2013:

pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp

25qwertyuiop on April 21, 2013:

Just got new rabbits and built a cage following every rule.it works amazingly well!

Treegap on April 21, 2013:

Great info. Thanks!

cav on April 21, 2013:

Looks great and info very useful, plans and cutting/materials list would be greatly appreciated. I only hope i can do it justice. juancoolguy@hotmail.com

jaellis2006 on April 20, 2013:

I would also love the plans! Awesome cage! jaellis2006@yahoo.com

thanks

Samie8908 on April 11, 2013:

Would like the plans for this cage. Please send to trioux2@roadrunner.com

hollypaulwills on April 04, 2013:

I would love to adapt this rabbit hutch for my three cats. Any ideas?

natewagner on March 27, 2013:

i can never find any pans for the poop to fall could some one help me find some

Kym on March 24, 2013:

Has anyone received a reply or email?

jcook1100 on March 17, 2013:

What a great hutch. Can I please get a copy of the plans emailed to me at jcook1100@comcast.net? Thank you so much.

jasmine on March 09, 2013:

i LOVE this bunny hutch! we may use the design for bunnys and chickens! can you send the Blueprints to Mockingjay711@yahoo.com please? thank you very much! you are a great designer

bspaulding on March 06, 2013:

Please send blueprints. Would love to build this hutch.

bspaulding930@gmail.com

lisa on February 03, 2013:

I would love blue prints

vineyardcreek@aol.com

kimcongello@aol.com on January 22, 2013:

Hi. Are you sending the blue prints and the cost? Can a divider be put in the middle?

Thanks

Tobi on January 10, 2013:

Could send me the blueprint for this?! memyhorseandi33@yahoo.com

lauren on December 20, 2012:

Id love to buy this this thing if you dont mind it would be great to find out the cost .On this page! thank you.

Sherri on November 19, 2012:

I too would love the plans for this hutch if you don't mind sharing. Thanks in advance! smrobinson00@hotmail.com

Elizabeth on October 28, 2012:

Hi there,,,,, Can you please email me the plans at redellie55@yahoo.com. Thanks so much.

niyasisk@mac.com on September 21, 2012:

Hello... this is gorgeous. I will include it in a book I'm working on for rabbit lovers.

Would you also include me in your long list of folks who like the plans to be able to make it? anagrams48@gmail.com

Thank you.

Paula on September 20, 2012:

My girls raise bunnies and would love to find out more about the hutch and the cost and the blue prints. pausen@triwest.net

E&T on September 03, 2012:

That enclosure is beautiful! We are getting an 18x21 building that's 7ft high at the hip, and we plan on using a part of it for my rabbits and making it an indoor and outdoor place for them, do you have some time to maybe share your ideas on a blueprint for the place when it's built?

My email is emh306@gmail.com

Erry on August 27, 2012:

I love it! Could you please send me the blue prints as well?

erryc@hotmail.com

freddy on August 14, 2012:

AMAZING!! can you please send me the plans too? My daughter will love this!

freddyply@gmail.com

Michelle on August 06, 2012:

This was a very useful post! My dream is to one day have a rabbit hutch like the one pictured above. However for just starting out I'm going small.

Shannon on August 04, 2012:

Hi!! I am getting a Flemish Giant rabbit very soon and wanting to build a large hutch. Looks like this would be perfect :) I noticed a lot of people requesting your plans, if you are able to send them, my email is: skirk99@hotmail.com

Thank you! And my future rabbit thanks you, too!

kristiedill on July 21, 2012:

hi i love the idea my son is 4 and wants a pet we have narrowed it down to bunny rabbits and he saw this and said yep mommy thats what they want a castle. lol he is so good and i think this is a very good design if i could get u to email me the blue prints or measurement that would be super. cant wait to build a bunny castle lol. email is kristie.dill@yahoo.com thank you so much.

wilsonquired.blogspot.com

Source: https://pethelpful.com/rabbits/How-To-Build-The-Perfect-Bunny-Hutch

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