Meat Rabbit Cage Plans – The Full Guide
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Build Cages Your Rabbits Will Thrive In
Twenty years of building rabbit cages, condensed into 24 pages.
- The principles behind good rabbit housing
- The 12-step build, with detailed instructions and pictures
- How to mount cages, optional upgrades, common mistakes
Most Rabbit Cages Are Built Wrong
In rabbitries and homesteads across the world, you’ll see the same housing mistakes: cages made of hardware cloth or the wrong wire, designs that are a magnet for parasites, cages hanging from chains that sway every time a rabbit hops. The results are unfortunately predictable: the rabbits develop sore hocks, the cages rust apart, and the cheap cages end up costing far more time and money than doing it right the first time.
This guide is what I wish someone had handed me twenty years ago. It’s the build I use on my own farm, sized for medium and large meat breeds, and refined over many years and many builds. We have step by step build instructions for our standard cages, but we also cover the principles of good rabbit housing. With this guide you won’t just know how to build a cage, you’ll understand the logic behind the design. With that knowledge you’ll be able to customize your rabbits housing to best meet your unique challenges and goals.
Who This Guide Is For
Buy this if you are…
- Raising medium or large meat breeds (7–14 lb adult weight).
- Tired of rebuilding cages every three years.
- Looking for welfare standards higher than the industry norm.
- DIY-inclined and don’t want to spend $150+ on a premade cage.
Don’t buy this if you are…
- Pet rabbit owners. These cages are built for production, not pets.
- Anyone keeping giant breeds (Flemish Giants, etc.). These breeds shouldn’t be kept on wire.
- Buyers expecting plans for a wood hutch. This cage can be easily mounted in a variety of wood hutches, but the plans aren’t for the hutch itself.
What’s In The Guide
Wire
Avoid the wire mistakes that cost you money.
Gauge, mesh size, and timing of galvanization all affect the strength of your cage and the health of your rabbit. Avoid wasting time and money on the wrong wire.
Welfare
Build cages that won’t make you feel like a factory farm.
Cage designs to let rabbits stand, stretch, and hop around comfortably.
The Build
Follow a 12-step assembly process with photos.
We provide detailed step by step instructions with photos, supply lists, and everything you need to build a cage.
Mounting
Learn the right way to mount cages.
Why swaying cages are a welfare problem and how to mount yours so they’re rock-solid, but still removable for cleaning.
Upgrades
Designed for easy upgrading.
Ideas on potential welfare upgrades for those who want to go beyond the standard.
Maintenance
Keep your cage sturdy for years.
Spot cleaning, biannual disinfection, and basic upkeep that extends the life of every cage you build.
24
pages, no filler
12
step-by-step build photos
10+
year cage lifespan
Common Questions
How long does it take to build one cage?
If it’s your first cage and you’re using hand tools, plan for 3–4 hours. By your fourth cage you’ll be down to 90 minutes or less. The guide assumes you’ve never used J-Clip pliers before.
What does one cage cost in materials?
Roughly $55–$85 for one cage, depending on your wire supplier and how much you buy at once. The guide includes the suppliers I use.
I already have wire. Can I use it?
It heavily depends on what wire you have, but probably not. The guide explains what wire is appropriate for meat rabbits.
Will this work for breeds other than New Zealand Reds?
Yes! This cage is designed for any medium or large meat breeds in the 5–14 lb adult range (Californians, New Zealands, Silver Fox, Champagne d’Argent, etc.). It’s also great for smaller breeds like the Florida White, but you may need baby-saver wire on the lower walls. Giant breeds shouldn’t be on wire at all.
What tools do I need?
The guide contains a full list, but all tools used are common and cheap. J-Clip pliers are the only specialty item.
Can I print the guide?
Yes. The PDF is laid out for letter-size printing. I recommend printing the assembly steps and keeping them on the workbench while you build.
Is this a refundable purchase?
Once the PDF is downloaded there’s really no way for you to return it, so I can’t offer refunds. If something is wrong with your file or you’re totally unsatisfied, Fill out a contact form and I’ll sort it out.
Build it once.
Build it right.
A 24 page detailed PDF on rabbit housing and how to build our cages, for less than the cost of a bag of pellets.
Instant PDF Download
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One-Time Purchase
About the Author.
Pedigreed New Zealand Reds, West Meadow Rabbits — Chester, NH
My name is Sam. I run West Meadow Rabbits, a small farm located in Chester, NH, specializing in pedigreed New Zealand Reds, bred to the ARBA standard of perfection. I’ve been raising rabbits for the better part of two decades. When I’m not in the rabbitry, I’m filming for the West Meadow Rabbits YouTube channel or writing about rabbits and sustainable food production.
As a small business, your support makes it possible for me to keep doing what I love, and producing free educational content. Thank you!