Building a carrier

[OneAcreFarm]

The big ones will probably do two sections.

 

[skysthelimit]

The big ones will probably do two sections.

Two sections would be good. I need to order some spring clips from Bass. As it turns out, it looks like I might drive to the Mason-Dixon PA show after all.

 

[trinityoaks]

Do you have any picts? I was looking for a pan long and heavy enough to use as one continuous base to set the wire cage on top. Are jelly roll pans foil or metal? I don't cook much.

These are metal, like cookie sheets with 1/4"-1/2" sides all the way around. Here's a link:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/MainStays-Coo ... t/14913177

I think I paid $5-6 per set of three. I used the smallest size for my Rex buck, the medium size for my Brazilians, and the largest size for my Cals. The spring clips (I used the finger-loop type) from Bass work perfectly to attach the cages to the pans. I thought of using the foil roasting pans that someone else suggested, but I don't think those would hold the weight of a cage plus rabbit.

To anyone who has used the wire from the supply stores, how long would you say it lasts?

I've had my first cages for three years now, and they're still fine.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

IMHO, a person would regret buying the Chinese made junk at Lowe's or Tractor Supply. It's just not sturdy enough to buy and use for any extended period of time.

What gauge wire do you recommend? I may be able to find quality wire locally. I'd rather not pay shipping if I can avoid doing so.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

14g GAW (galvanized after weld) wire will hold up the longest. That is what I used for all my cages.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

14g for floor and sides?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

14g for floor and sides?

I think you *could* use 16 gauge for the sides, but I used all 14g and they are really sturdy. The guy that makes mine now also uses 14g for everything.

 

[skysthelimit]

Lowes does carry GAW 14G., I used 16 for the sides, but the 14 is better, and I will use only 14 for anything I think I'll have to move.

 

[SatinsRule]

Buying a Duratray is cost prohibitive. The size I would need is about $23 (I'd rather have one three hole than several smaller ones). By the time I buy one and ship it, I could just buy the carrier from Bass. A three section carrier from Bass with s&h is only $44. I've been told to get what I need at shows, but I need something to take the bunnies to the shows first

I am in Ohio, there's nothing useful here, I don't even know why they pretend it's a Midwest State. Shipping and handling is what kills most things. Shipping from places like KLUBERTANZ, Koenig and even Bass sometimes is the shipping cost more than the product.

The carriers which Bass sells are very much no frills models. They meet the stated purpose and are durable, but are lacking on the little added extras which mean so much toward not getting cut, scraped, and scratched up by the carrier itself. I have 2 of them (a 2-hole and that same 3-hole you're describing) and they're my most unused carriers of the bunch. They are definitely up to the task at hand, though, and it's what I started with a little over a year ago.

Most shows nowadays have a supplier which sets up a display and sells their wares for exhibitors. This helps immeasurably with offsetting the costs of shipping. You'll likely still have to pay sales tax, but it's nothing compared to the costs of outfits like UPS, USPS, Fed Ex, etc. I know exactly what you're talking about, though. I recently was ready to purchase a digital weight scale for $50, at least until I saw that the outfit was going to jack me for another $60 to ship it to me. For that, I'll just wait for the Peoria show next month and get one there. I'm already planning to be there anyway.


Make a list of any other miscellaneous item(s) you may need and carry it with you to the show. I routinely buy everything from carriers to feeders to 54-oz. water crocks when I go. I even have feed/water cups for each of my carriers with several to spare now, and they've come in handy on so many occasions.

Another way of cutting costs would be to find a breeder who is getting rid of some of their old equipment. I recently bought a few 3-holes from somebody who was getting rid of her lops. The carriers are the perfect size, but as with most of my carriers, they will all likely become 2-holes in the near future.

 

[skysthelimit]

Buying a Duratray is cost prohibitive. The size I would need is about $23 (I'd rather have one three hole than several smaller ones). By the time I buy one and ship it, I could just buy the carrier from Bass. A three section carrier from Bass with s&h is only $44. I've been told to get what I need at shows, but I need something to take the bunnies to the shows first

I am in Ohio, there's nothing useful here, I don't even know why they pretend it's a Midwest State. Shipping and handling is what kills most things. Shipping from places like KLUBERTANZ, Koenig and even Bass sometimes is the shipping cost more than the product.

The carriers which Bass sells are very much no frills models. They meet the stated purpose and are durable, but are lacking on the little added extras which mean so much toward not getting cut, scraped, and scratched up by the carrier itself. I have 2 of them (a 2-hole and that same 3-hole you're describing) and they're my most unused carriers of the bunch. They are definitely up to the task at hand, though, and it's what I started with a little over a year ago.

Most shows nowadays have a supplier which sets up a display and sells their wares for exhibitors. This helps immeasurably with offsetting the costs of shipping. You'll likely still have to pay sales tax, but it's nothing compared to the costs of outfits like UPS, USPS, Fed Ex, etc. I know exactly what you're talking about, though. I recently was ready to purchase a digital weight scale for $50, at least until I saw that the outfit was going to jack me for another $60 to ship it to me. For that, I'll just wait for the Peoria show next month and get one there. I'm already planning to be there anyway.


Make a list of any other miscellaneous item(s) you may need and carry it with you to the show. I routinely buy everything from carriers to feeders to 54-oz. water crocks when I go. I even have feed/water cups for each of my carriers with several to spare now, and they've come in handy on so many occasions.

Another way of cutting costs would be to find a breeder who is getting rid of some of their old equipment. I recently bought a few 3-holes from somebody who was getting rid of her lops. The carriers are the perfect size, but as with most of my carriers, they will all likely become 2-holes in the near future.

I really wanted to wait, but I've decided to go a show that will be a six hour drive, so I'm going to need something to comfortably transport two rabbits to the show. It would be nice to find a breeder in Ohio getting rid of stuff, but it was hard enough finding a breeder in Ohio with something other than dwarfs or minis.

 

[SatinsRule]

I really wanted to wait, but I've decided to go a show that will be a six hour drive, so I'm going to need something to comfortably transport two rabbits to the show. It would be nice to find a breeder in Ohio getting rid of stuff, but it was hard enough finding a breeder in Ohio with something other than dwarfs or minis.

I went thru the same ordeal just over a year ago. I was in crunch time just prior to a trip to pick up my original stock rabbits and Bass was the only outfit which could fill the order in the timeframe I needed them. Most suppliers were unable to fill the orders until weeks later due to the national convention.

The suggestion for finding an exhibitor who is getting rid of their used stuff was for when you go to a show. There are occasionally a few who are parting ways with equipment which is still very usable, but no longer useful for them due to different space requirements. Be picky and don't pay good money for beat up junk, but don't thumb your nose at anything that looks like something which would work for you, either. I wound up buying the carriers I got for about $15 each. At $45, that's less than I would have paid for 1 brand new carrier, and I got very usable stuff in the exchange.

At any rate, have a great time at the show, and keep us posted with how you do. :mrgreen:

 

[skysthelimit]

I really wanted to wait, but I've decided to go a show that will be a six hour drive, so I'm going to need something to comfortably transport two rabbits to the show. It would be nice to find a breeder in Ohio getting rid of stuff, but it was hard enough finding a breeder in Ohio with something other than dwarfs or minis.

I went thru the same ordeal just over a year ago. I was in crunch time just prior to a trip to pick up my original stock rabbits and Bass was the only outfit which could fill the order in the timeframe I needed them. Most suppliers were unable to fill the orders until weeks later due to the national convention.

The suggestion for finding an exhibitor who is getting rid of their used stuff was for when you go to a show. There are occasionally a few who are parting ways with equipment which is still very usable, but no longer useful for them due to different space requirements. Be picky and don't pay good money for beat up junk, but don't thumb your nose at anything that looks like something which would work for you, either. I wound up buying the carriers I got for about $15 each. At $45, that's less than I would have paid for 1 brand new carrier, and I got very usable stuff in the exchange.

At any rate, have a great time at the show, and keep us posted with how you do. :mrgreen:

Thanks everyone. So I will find something to set a cage on, one that I can divide and use in the barn when I get back home. I'm going wait till I get to the show.