Cages, what would you buy?

[Secuono]

I'm thinking of making cages to sell at swaps. I'm trying to figure out what size would sell the best. I don't want to make them too small nor too large. I was thinking of 2ft by 2ft or 2x3ft.

Door would be 12x12in or 12x16in for the 3ft long cage. And it would swing out and down, all of mine are like that and they work so much better!

1x1 or 1x2in wire walls and top, 1/2x1in bottom. Hoping to get good rolls of 14ga wire for everything so they are quality and not just junk.

The clips holding it all together will be 2in apart, as for what I will use? I'm thinking either; 12g wire cut and clamped on, BASS Jclips or Hog Rings.
What height should I make them, 16, 18 or 20in tall?
Guess I will have to order some kind of door locks or should I leave them off to let the buyer choose them?
Should I have them all assembled or jut one and the rest folded down with the clamps in a baggie for the buyer to put together?


I have rabbits and noticed a lot of people have them, too. But they can be used for fowl as well.

I'm also considering making compartment/transport cages for rabbits. I'll have to do some research for the different sizes rabbits of varying breeds will need. 1/2x1in floor, 1x1in walls, divider and top.

Price will be as close to actual cost of materials, no hype for labor. And that would be because I need things to do on days I have nothing to do, or I buy crap I don't need. Lol.

Anyone have anything to add or have suggestions?

 

[Southbound_SF]

If I were your buyer, I'd say you should go with the larger cages (2x3) because they're more versatile. I wouldn't want to use a 2x2 for a doe with a litter, but I wouldn't mind getting a 2x3 for a buck or single rabbit even though it's a bit excessive.

Then again, it depends on what sort of rabbit breeders you have in your area. If it's a lot of small pet & dwarf folk, then by all means go smaller. Maybe once you get to know the market you'll change.

On the height, split the difference and go with 18".

Assemble most if you can transport them that way - customers like less work. But maybe keep a couple unassembled for those who have less car space.


Lastly, and most importantly, unless you just really like making cages, DON'T undervalue your labor! This isn't artisinal hand-carved one-of-a-kind work, no, but you are spending time on it and it's ok to get paid for it, while still giving people a good deal.

SB

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I agree with the 18" height, and charging for your labor. You could bring a few pre-assembled, and the others packed flat so you can haul more in less space. Then if you have a buyer you can offer to assemble it for them for an additional fee. If you are selling at a swap meet or something, they could pay for the cage(s) and continue shopping while you get their order assembled. I would also go with the 36" length- my buck cages are 24" x 24" but if I had more linear space to work with they would be in larger cages.

 

[wsmoak]

You can get 24"x24" cages at pretty much any feed store, so I'd concentrate on the larger ones.

Mine are 30"x36" (the floor wire comes in 30" wide rolls.) 18" tall is nice.

IIRC, one of my store-bought ones came flat, but all the pieces were attached to the floor, I only had to stand them upright and attach the sides together, and the top to the sides. You can offer to complete the assembly if they want, but people in small cars may not have room.

You can offer the door latches as a separate option. Some people like the spring clips, some like the latches that turn, etc.

Similarly, if you can afford the inventory, have a couple of *good* J-clip pliers there for sale, as well as other things people need to build cages. They'll think it's easy and buy the stuff. Then next month they'll be calling you for more cages.

Do not under-charge! Check, for example, the prices Bass Equipment charges. If you only want to take $X for them, then label them *more* than that and put up a sign with a 20% discount.

(Seriously, people cannot resist a discount. And this allows you to easily revert to the price you should have been selling them for to begin with, without the appearance of a price increase.)

-Wendy

 

[Secuono]

Where do I get pans for the small transport cages? TSC has standard pans, but too square and too big for the cages I'll be making..

 

[avdpas77]

A two by two cage is too small for a lot of things..... However, many people at swaps are looking for a cheap cage to get something home that they didn't plan to buy.... I have ended up buying both a cage and a dog kennel in the past to get things home.. Heh, us animal lovers get nuts when you put us at a large swap..... and truthfully, it is about the most dangerous place (health wise) there is to buy an animal.

Had a friend take a bunch of frozen chicken boxes to a large swap... he sold them for $3 a piece and was out in no time.

 

[Secuono]

I bought a new, $$$ cage just to better show my birds at a swap...=D
Lol.
I use it just for that, swaps to let buyers see better.
My hardest thing is not bringing any new critters home! So hard!

Sellers here are told to bring cardboard boxes so buyers can take them home in.