Cage question

[Evvie]

I was at Harbor Freight and Mr. Evvie saw a cage that was fairly cheap and large and would probably work out well for a bun. The only thing I noticed was that the wire spacing was pretty large - like 3x2. Is this too widely spaced for a rabbit home?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

It would be good for a giant breed like a Flemmie, but only if it was in an area inaccessible to predators. Coons and possums will reach right through the wire, and rats will hop right in. The floor wire would need to be replaced with 1/2" x 1" wire.

 

[Piper]

What size rabbit do you have? If the cage will be outside, even in the city, there can be a problem with squirrels, mice, rats, and baby possums. I found out that a baby possum can walk right through chain link fencing. I have a picture (of the possum, in a trap) in my gallery.
gallery/album.php?album_id=137

 

[garden lady]

What size rabbit do you have? If the cage will be outside, even in the city, there can be a problem with squirrels, mice, rats, and baby possums. I found out that a baby possum can walk right through chain link fencing. I have a picture (of the possum, in a trap) in my gallery.
gallery/album.php?album_id=137

The people who had my rabbits and got them from the people who turned the first 2 Flemish Giants loose said she could not have a garden because the Flemish Giants walked right through the chain link wire. I had a nightmare of baby rabbits coming through the fence eating my garden. :bunny5: :bunny5: :bunny5:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I had a nightmare of baby rabbits coming through the fence eating my garden.

We have 2" x 4" woven wire fencing, and I have seen full grown cottontails hop right through it like it isn't even there! They say mice can go through a hole the size of a dime, and rats can squeeze through a nickel sized one.

 

[Piper]

I was told that, no matter the size of the rat or mouse, if they could get their head through the hole, then they would be able to get their body through.

 

[akane]

Tell that to all the kits I've had to cut out of wire that their head fit and the rest didn't.

 

[Evvie]

I was told that, no matter the size of the rat or mouse, if they could get their head through the hole, then they would be able to get their body through.

I don't know if this is a myth or not, but it was always my understanding that some animals (mice, rats, cats) do not have a collarbone, so their torso can squeeze very close together.

The buns will be kept in hanging cages in a shed which can be locked at night. I will do some more looking in to these cages, thanks for all the info guys

 

[Piper]

akane -- "Tell that to all the kits I've had to cut out of wire that their head fit and the rest didn't."

kits? I know you breed a lot of different animals. Mouse, rat, guinea pig, gerbil, which kits ???
What do I need to watch for now?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I was told that, no matter the size of the rat or mouse, if they could get their head through the hole, then they would be able to get their body through.

I don't know if this is a myth or not, but it was always my understanding that some animals (mice, rats, cats) do not have a collarbone, so their torso can squeeze very close together.

The buns will be kept in hanging cages in a shed which can be locked at night. I will do some more looking in to these cages, thanks for all the info guys

I would not use anything larger than 1 x 2 for walls and roof or 1/2 x 1 for floor, but that is my personal preference....

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Tell that to all the kits I've had to cut out of wire that their head fit and the rest didn't.

Babies of all mammals have over-sized heads and big eyes- that is what makes them so endearing to us. But I have always accepted that an adult rat or mouse can squeeze through anything the head will fit through.

http://www.in.gov/isdh/23256.htm

Quoted from above link:

"Mice are curious, and will enter any hole or crack as small as ¼-inch."

"...rats leave obvious oil stains on their trails and entrance holes. They can enter any opening larger than ½-inch in diameter"

 

[Evvie]

The rats I've had were never as good at escaping as my bunnies!

 

[AnnClaire]

:hijacked: Pulled up in front of the house and the squirrel was all the way across the lawn from his tree in the neighbor's yard (about 75 feet). He took off running full out and went to dive through the chain link fencing and misjudged ... and BOUNCED at least THREE FEET back :lol: I laughed so hard I was crying!