Rabbit Hutch Build

BarredCometLaced

Chillin' with the herd
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A few weeks ago, our family decided it was the right time to start raising rabbits for meat. I have been raising rabbits for fun and compost for 11 years now, so am well versed in all things rabbits. In fact, we still have our original rabbit... he's a neutered male, has lived outside his entire life, through NH winters, and is a ripe 11 years old.
We also have an unproven (but BEAUTIFUL) 1.5 year old Giant Chinchilla/Lop doe... not an ideal way to start a breeding project.
SO the other day I purchased an 11 week old Rex Buck from a local breeder, and am on the lookout for a young New Zealand Red Doe (If you are in NH and breed these send me a private message!) Will this be the perfect cross? No. But the main reason I have rabbits, is because I like rabbits! So I want them to look good too ;)
This expansion called for a new updated hutch. Here is the process I went through to create my dream hutch :D
(The steps are written in a way that you can copy my steps if you want to build this hutch too :bunny)

Step 1: Create a 3d model of hutch, then crumple it up and make 3 more until you are satisfied.
91195822_604022543788480_7315186163948453888_n.jpg

Step 2: Realize your hutch design is going to be difficult to assemble, but purchase all the materials anyways.
Step 3: Begin assembly in 20' F weather.
91250040_525373051697504_2649109869390462976_n.jpg

Step 4: Make several mistakes in measurements, change the design a little, and breathe a sigh of relief when it finally stands on its own.
90841340_3615624448507961_8952787937565605888_n.jpg


Step 5: Find someone who can use a circular saw to cut out the 3/4" pressure treated Plywood floors for you.

Step 6: Assemble the floor, and realize that 3/4" pressure treated Plywood floors is probably overkill. Also realize that this hutch is massively heavy. Continue with project anyways.
90113479_3615624711841268_339556575368708096_n.jpg


Step 7: Assemble sides. "How many people will it take to move this?" you wonder. Now repress this thought.
90565788_3616527721750967_3154337382203916288_n.jpg


Step 8: Begin building doors... stab yourself multiple times with the impact driver before you realize you have a vice, and that would be super convenient for a project like this!
Step 9: Test your patience by trying to hang doors on a surface that is not quite level :D Then realize that you probably should have stained the hutch before installing the hardware...
91320766_520516738663249_3100518736155639808_n.jpg

Step 10: Stain the hutch with 1 qt of your favorite stain. Promptly run out of stain because this hutch is massive!
Step 11: Install wire to the hutch, and give yourself a lovely blister with the wire cutters (because heavy gauge wire is a pain to cut :) )
91096584_151913306109551_6892550498574925824_n.jpg

THEN YOU'RE DONE!!


The roof will be installed when we figure out how to move it to its final location HAHA. The final measurements are 48 (L) x 30 (W) x75" (H). The top two levels are solid floors mostly because I didn't trust myself to create a structure that would allow for a removable tray. Each level has a 15" x 30" privacy area and 33" x 30" patio.

Let me know what you think :D I'm pretty proud of the completed product!
90972813_3636922806378125_8947211841654751232_n.jpg
 

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BarredCometLaced

Chillin' with the herd
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Nice. do you plan on litter boxes in the top cages? I didn't see room for trays. All of our cages are premade stacking style. Someday I would sure appreciate a "gutter" system. But all in good time.
Yes! Litter boxes in the corner of their choice. There will be bedding in the top cages as well, and sealant has been applied to the floor just in case. I also had seen these trays (https://www.amazon.com/DuraShelf-Co...ywords=24x30+shelf+tray&qid=1585421695&sr=8-3) and thought they might be a good idea. If I could have found stacking cages of this size (48x30) in my budget I would have gone for it. Not really a fan of the solid floors, but it was the best I could do when taking advantage of the vertical space.
 

CraftyHen

Overrun with beasties
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A few weeks ago, our family decided it was the right time to start raising rabbits for meat. I have been raising rabbits for fun and compost for 11 years now, so am well versed in all things rabbits. In fact, we still have our original rabbit... he's a neutered male, has lived outside his entire life, through NH winters, and is a ripe 11 years old.
We also have an unproven (but BEAUTIFUL) 1.5 year old Giant Chinchilla/Lop doe... not an ideal way to start a breeding project.
SO the other day I purchased an 11 week old Rex Buck from a local breeder, and am on the lookout for a young New Zealand Red Doe (If you are in NH and breed these send me a private message!) Will this be the perfect cross? No. But the main reason I have rabbits, is because I like rabbits! So I want them to look good too ;)
This expansion called for a new updated hutch. Here is the process I went through to create my dream hutch :D
(The steps are written in a way that you can copy my steps if you want to build this hutch too :bunny)

Step 1: Create a 3d model of hutch, then crumple it up and make 3 more until you are satisfied.
View attachment 71646
Step 2: Realize your hutch design is going to be difficult to assemble, but purchase all the materials anyways.
Step 3: Begin assembly in 20' F weather.
View attachment 71647
Step 4: Make several mistakes in measurements, change the design a little, and breathe a sigh of relief when it finally stands on its own.
View attachment 71660

Step 5: Find someone who can use a circular saw to cut out the 3/4" pressure treated Plywood floors for you.

Step 6: Assemble the floor, and realize that 3/4" pressure treated Plywood floors is probably overkill. Also realize that this hutch is massively heavy. Continue with project anyways.
View attachment 71652

Step 7: Assemble sides. "How many people will it take to move this?" you wonder. Now repress this thought.
View attachment 71656

Step 8: Begin building doors... stab yourself multiple times with the impact driver before you realize you have a vice, and that would be super convenient for a project like this!
Step 9: Test your patience by trying to hang doors on a surface that is not quite level :D Then realize that you probably should have stained the hutch before installing the hardware...
View attachment 71657
Step 10: Stain the hutch with 1 qt of your favorite stain. Promptly run out of stain because this hutch is massive!
Step 11: Install wire to the hutch, and give yourself a lovely blister with the wire cutters (because heavy gauge wire is a pain to cut :) )
View attachment 71658
THEN YOU'RE DONE!!


The roof will be installed when we figure out how to move it to its final location HAHA. The final measurements are 48 (L) x 30 (W) x75" (H). The top two levels are solid floors mostly because I didn't trust myself to create a structure that would allow for a removable tray. Each level has a 15" x 30" privacy area and 33" x 30" patio.

Let me know what you think :D I'm pretty proud of the completed product!
View attachment 71661
This is a really nice build! Good job!
I'm happy to see others go thru many of the same process we do when tackling a project. Haha! Our go-to phrase is: "it's not a project unless there's blood" lol and inevitably, something somewhere ends up scratched, knicked, jabbed, etc and one of us is yelling about band-aids....
 

Xerocles

Loving the herd life
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It's beautiful. It's furniture! I don't envy you when its time to clean and disinfect that top cage. The floor is shoulder high to you. And you have to reach all the way to the back to clean (also to catch a less than cooperative kit). And bets....that very back corner will be chosen for the latrine. Got a good step stool available?
But, I say again. It's gorgeous. Congratulations.
 
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