Rabbit hutch block for a country plot: 4 cages, two tiers

We spend the season at our country place from April to October, and this year I want to keep a few rabbits — four adults to start with, plus one doe with a litter. The spot is already picked: shade under an old apple tree, a solid fence on the north side, no draught there at any time of day. What I need is a finished block of four cages in two tiers, standing on legs so the bottom row never sits on damp ground and a broom passes underneath.

The layout I have in mind: a sloped floor panel in every cage draining towards the back wall, and a pull-out galvanised tray under each tier that comes out with one hand and washes down with a hose. Mesh floor only over the toilet corner; the rest is a solid resting area of board with a lip to hold bedding, because bare mesh hurts their feet and rubs them raw. A separate nest box with a dark corner, a threshold about a hand high and its own hinged lid. Hopper feeders and nipple drinkers mounted from the outside, so I can top them up without opening a door.

One thing matters all the way through: these animals gnaw everything they can reach. Any wood on the inside must be dry planed board with no toxic preservatives, lacquer or paint; mesh ends tucked under a batten, every screw and nail countersunk flush, no sharp edges and no wire ends sticking out anywhere. On the outside the block has to hold up: a solid skirt or a turned-out apron against digging under, latches a dog or a fox cannot flip open, and a roof overhang against rain and sun. The front wall should lift off — I wash the whole thing out once a week.

Scope of work:

— block of four cages in two tiers on legs 35-40 cm high, timber frame, board cladding;
— sloped floor panel and a pull-out galvanised tray for every tier;
— solid resting area with a lip plus a mesh toilet zone, mesh gauge suited to rabbits;
— nest box with a dark compartment, threshold and hinged lid;
— hopper feeders and nipple drinkers fixed from the outside;
— hinged doors with a firm latch, removable front wall, weather roof;
— protection against digging under and against predators; no preservatives, lacquer or paint inside;
— assembly and setting up on site, offcuts taken away.

Materials are board and galvanised mesh of a suitable gauge — quote them separately or fold them into the estimate. Deadline is the end of April, before the warm weather. Feeding, stocking density, vaccinations and anything else veterinary I take up with a vet; from the maker I need the structure only, built safe and easy to clean.