making cage out of shelf unit

[Demamma]

I have a shelf unit that is 18" depth x48" wide. I was thinking of using it for rabbit cages since I don't need it anymore. I thought I would use it as a support. Lay tin sheeting sloped under each shelf so mess rolls to back and not onto rabbits bellow. What do you all think? would cheaper wire work with this strong of support? this is the shelf I am talking about. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... ch&lang=en

 

[MamaSheepdog]

We have those same racks. Are you thinking of putting floor wire on top of the shelf racks? My concern would be debris getting caught between the two surfaces.

:idea: Instead of using it vertically, why not lay it down? You could hinge the tops so each section is a door. The steel stakes used for concrete forms could be used as legs if you wire them securely to the corners. You wouldn't need dropping boards, either.

 

[Demamma]

I see what you are talking about Mama but would the shelf be to heavy to support in that way? The shelves themselves would work without wiring for big rabbits so would save a little wire doing it your way. The downfall doing it your way is the space it will take up. I will lay it out tomarrow and get a visual for it. stare at it and figure it out. Seems like everywhere I go now I am looking for ways to make cages.

 

[3mina]

That's the cageitis form of Rabbitosis, I have it too

 

[Demamma]

so 3mina what is your thoughts on turning a shelf into a cage? there must be many ways to make a shelf cage. What else can we make cages out of? I think I need to go scavenging.
:yes:

 

[3mina]

What I would do is wrap 1" x2" wire around it and then attach the 1/2" x 1" wire to that. The top shelf, kept at the very top of the unit, would be the top of the cage and attached to the 1"x 2" wire. Then you could put in drop boards under that. To keep the mess off the cage below, I'd put a length of eaves trough at the bottom of the drop board. I like a shorter height for my cages so for me, I'd probably try to get three cages out of a unit.
My concern would be that 18" is kind of shallow. I'd be just as comfortable using that particular unit as a rack and hanging wire cages from it with 's' hooks but if I remember correctly 48" is the outside measurement on those shelves not the inside so it would be problematic hanging 24" x X" cages on the unit.

 

[Demamma]

I think I am going to set up the shelf cage for my bucks. They like to stomp their feet and the floor will be very strong. Also they could hop back and forth easily from side to side. 18" is very shallow but I think with bucks it will be fine. I rotate my bucks out to a rabbit tractor so they get lots of space every few days to run and jump. I think if I put the shelf down flat on ground I would have to come up with another way to hold the shelves turned into walls in place.

 

[3mina]

I'd still use 1/2" x1" wire on the bottom instead of the shelf itself, the holes on the shelf are too large, injuries waiting to happen I think. Use the shelves themselves to keep the unit stable and as tops for the cages and 16 gauge bottom wire, it's the easiest on rabbits feet and will last for ages

 

[Demamma]

Oh I forgot to mention I am going to lay some wire on the shelf. I think I wont put it down permanent though so when they get their turn in the tractor I can lift it and hose it off to keep clean. Those bucks sure get stinky. I will have some tin sheeting at a slight angle under each cage to provide a roof for the bucks and a place for their messes to run off to the back instead of on the buck under. The top buck will have a wire shelf for a roof so will give it to the biggest buck. If it works out good I have another shelf unit I might use as a grow out pen. One of the shelf units I use as a early greenhouse. I put my flats of seeds on it wrapped with plastic and light at top. works good for early spring.