DIY stacking cages help??

[joybellfarm]

We build the single hanging cages all the time. but need help tips on how to do a stacking cage setup? Wood in not sanitary so whats the best thing to build them on. What to use for dropping pans? Anyone have pics of there homemade stacking cages they would like to share?? With show bunnies we need extra cages to grow out a few for show and so we need lots of extra cages.
We have a dirt floor barn thats like 10 by 8 they will be built in. Most will be the single cage but would like a couple stackers in there.

 

[Secuono]

You can buy those stacking legs from TSC and then buy metal or plastic pans. Or just use metal TPosts and wood/plastic boards to run off the waste to one side.

 

[TMTex]

Hmm. I might have to give that a try. My hutches are wood and on the dirt in a 10 x 20 enclosure. Maybe stacking/hanging cages would be the answer to the overcrowding issues.

 

[CarsLops]

I just built some stacking cages over the summer. I bought the wire from Klubertanz, as well as the pre-cut floors and doors, j clips, and door guards. The pans would have been super expensive to ship, so I got them from TSC. That is also where I got the legs.

I can't get a picture to load, so here's a link to a thread with pictures of them before I put the legs on.
busy-couple-weeks-and-baby-watch-t15863.html

 

[skysthelimit]

I built mines on wood, but I also painted it first, and the pans cover any place that might get wet. Year two and I reused the wood to build a different set up on the other side, and it's not urine stained at all. It helps that my rabbits don't spray. I used the Tuftex panels that went to a gutter, and the two others had the metal pans that originally went with the stacker unit (I was missing the legs). Nothing touched the wood.

There is a website where a 4Her builds his racks from PVC pipe. I think she used regular pans, I have to see if I can find that website.

My all time favorite, are the ones that are self stacking. http://hippityhoppityrabbitry.weebly.co ... -sale.html

 

[bobqdevon]

We got corrugated metal roofing to use as pans for under our hanging cages, which will eventually be stacked 2 high. They will be angled to lead into a gutter, which will drain into a 5 gallon bucket. Wash down the pans into the gutter, wash down the gutter into the bucket, take the bucket out and dump it. Trying to make life a little easier here.

 

[PSFAngoras]

Bought all my supplies for my stacks from TSC, it works, but for my fat ol' angoras it needs a LOT of reworking to make stable. I built my own foor spreaders and had to install baby guards just so the floor by the door wouldn't sag. I didn't use the leg kits as they want a fricking arm and leg for them, so now my slots for my trays are folding in on themselves and pinching the trays. Need to figure that out, but I think I have it solved. Just need the $ for supplies now. Stupid strap metal costs so much...

 

[ckcs]

One consideration for pans is Mixing Tubs from Lowes or Home depot. I think ones around 26" x 20" at under $6. I'd check both of them out first as one is HDPE and the other PVC plastic. Home Depot carries a larger size if that is not adequate. I've made pans from corrugated plastic sheets from Home Depot 3 my 3 tier racks. I can make 2 28" x 28" x 3" pans from each sheet ($13.76 a sheet last I bought one)

 

[joybellfarm]

Thanks guys. Know the fun begins lol. We started with 9 single cages all but 1 is filled and we got 3 bunnies due over the next month LOL.

 

[TMTex]

You can buy those stacking legs from TSC and then buy metal or plastic pans. Or just use metal TPosts and wood/plastic boards to run off the waste to one side.

I just did my first stacked cage last night based on your advice. Thanks for the inspiration!

They're the 30 x 30 cages and the top one has the kit and pan you mentioned. I used zip ties to connect the lower cage to the legs of the upper one. Both cages have 2 growouts each in them.

I'll probably convert the rest of the hutches to hanging stacked cages over time and use stainless steel zip ties to connect them. http://www.lowes.com/pd_118033-1781-45- ... Id=3413920