Large rabbit hutch: A simple DIY project for your bunny

Jules Yap·
Other Pets
··12 Comments
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WARNING: Readers have commented that this set-up is UNSUITABLE for rabbits, due to its size and material. For rabbit habitat requirements, please check out the following link for indoor rabbit housing requirements.

I made a 3-level indoor large rabbit hutch using a KALLAX storage unit from IKEA. 

Materials: 

Instructions for DIY large rabbit hutch

First, I used a jigsaw to saw the holes on the shelves before assembling the unit. As for the size of the holes, I based them on the diameter of the PVC pipe I was going to use in Step 2.

Second, I cut short pieces of PVC piping to reinforce the holes. These, I glued and siliconed into the holes.

Then, I assembled the KALLAX unit as per instructions. 

For the front, I nailed the mesh with galvanised nails.

large rabbit hutch IKEA hack DIY

Related: The bunny palace (indoor rabbit cage)

The bottom level

At the bottom level, where I placed the KALLAX door inserts, I sawed a hole at the side of the insert to allow an opening for the PVC pipe.

Then, I assembled the doors on the bottom as per IKEA instructions. 

The back

For the back, I drilled holes into two aluminium angles at the top and bottom, so I can slide in a piece of wood. This is so I can easily slide the back open for cleaning. I then screwed the angles to the top and the bottom. 

Not pictured here yet but I am going to connect the PVC hoses between top floor holes to ensure there isn’t too much of a drop when jumping down a level. 

Alternatively you could make the holes in the middle on the top floor off to the side so they don’t fall down a hole when jumping to the next section.

Hope the rabbit hutch is large enough for my bunnies. 

~ by Abigail

Jules Yap
Latest posts by Jules Yap (see all)

12 Responses

  1. This is not good for rabbits. Their best house rabbit life is to have a bunny safe room/rooms dedicated to them. If you are that fussed about their chewing the rug, etc, don’t have pets (hope you don’t have children either).

    Reply

    1. That’s not nice . Just because they are in a cage while the human works doesn’t mean the rabbit isn’t loved and well taken care of !!!

      Reply

  2. Just reiterating that this is so so so so not rabbit friendly at all. Go get a Kura bunk bed and hack that – MUCH better. (also kudos to ikeahackers for adding the warning onto this post!)

    Reply

  3. I am sure you mean well but this set up is completely wrong for rabbits. They need to be able to run, stretch and binky.
    For happiness and safety of your rabbits you could rather put them in the open pen where they have enough height to jump and run.
    Rabbits are very active and they need enough exercise. Please do not keep them in this cabinet.

    Reply

  4. Rabbits don’t have pads on their feet and HATE slick surfaces. You’d need to put some carpet or something down. I also agree that the compartments are way too small.

    Reply

  6. As a person who has 2 guinea pigs and been through lots and lots of hutches over 13 years (my piggies live indoors), I certainly would NOT recommend using this type of wood.

    And the spaces in this are tiny so they certainly would not get the chance to lie flat down
    Furniture wood has glue in it which is extremely toxic to any animal since they chew lots wood they will swallow this and the toxins could well kill your pet.
    Please just buy a hutch a proper one.

    Reply

  8. Absolutely do NOT put rabbits in this. The fact you have the nerve to post this as if it’s informative is disgusting. Rabbits live a really long time and need an actual play pen which can almost take up the size of a room.

    Reply

  9. Though I applaud your efforts, this is far from ideal for a rabbit, let alone multiple rabbits.
    The urine and feces will quickly deteriorate the particle board, which may even in itself be harmful when chewed by said rabbits.
    Rabbits need more room. The up and down holes are likely going to lead to injuries. Rabbits function better with ramps.
    This design would probably be great for kittens though!

    Reply

  10. Please don’t use this for your rabbits! The compartments are way too small, there’s no way a rabbit can fully lie down in this. The material isn’t suitable for rabbits too, they’ll chew on it and might get sick or worse 🙁

    Reply

  11. I don’t think this is large enough for rabbits to be happy in. They are larger when the lie down and stretch out, and can’t run. They might also chew on the wood, and the finish of the wood may not be safe for bunnies to eat.
    Apart from that it was a nice idea. I think if it was suitable a lot more people would have used this idea already.

    Reply

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