kukupecpec":2h82zdzk said:
Is the picture with the 3 cages YOUR set up?
I'm just curious what you are using as the floor. That looks like an awesome set up! And great DIY! I have a ton of those panels from earlier cages before switching to the new hutch and FN set up, probably over 100, but they can't be used as flooring. Would love to be able to use these as grow out cages to keep the boys and girls and dif litters separate.
The flooring is 1/2" x 1" wire that I bought locally at Tractor Supply. It is attached to the panels front and back with zip ties but the side I actually cut the edge off the wire and rolled each wire around the panels. This made them very secure. The pans are made from coroplast (corrugated plastic). I bought sheet 3' x 6' at home depot for $13-14. I recent found out a company called Sabic polmershapes sell full 4' x 8' sheet for $12.50 near me, plus they have colors.
http://www.sabicpolymershapes.com they list a location in Phoenix. The whole frame is 2"x2". If you build one I can tell you a few things that I wish I had done.
Unless you have a nail gun, use screws. Predrill if necessary. I didn't have a nail gun and it took me forever to build the first one. Second one I used screws.
I made the frame big enough to hold the width of the cages and pans. If I make another I will make it bigger so there is space on the sides of the cages and the frames. I will also make the pans larger than the cage to help with corner pee. This also will allow you to put baby saver wire around the side. Mine are so tight I can't put the wire on and instead built a 1" x 4" frame that sits inside the cage to contain the kits.
The pans I folded and hot glued. I've since learned that you can cut through the coroplast without cutting all the way through and can fold much cleaner lines. Also instead of hot glue you can use plastic rivets.
Lastly the wood that goes front to back on the sides, I just put in without thinking. As a result they block me from putting water bottles on the sides.
If you already have the panels or pick them up cheap used, these racks are very cheap to make.