Need advice on a new cage

[WhenInRhome]

When we first got 2 bunnies a few months ago we went the "recycle" route. I had many pinterest inspired pallet hutch ideas. In reality those stupid pallets were crazy hard to work with. I gave up after an hour and my hubby had to finish. We used one broken apart pallet for the bottom and parts for the top and sides. It did not come out nearly as glamorous as the images on pinterest that is for sure!

Now that I see how large my so called mini rabbits grew we need a bigger cage. The one we have is 4x4. They seem crowded and only poop in the one 2x2 corner that I had a solid floor on. It is gross and I am sick of cleaning it. We are getting a lot of flies between the rabbit cage and the 8x30 chicken coop/run that is next to it. I made a chicken tractor for some chicks and thought it might be a good idea for rabbits to.

So would a 3 ft tall 4x8 cage be big enough? The back 2 ft would be enclosed on the sides with a door. Then 1/2 in hardware cloth (we have raccoons) on the top, sides, and underneath. I could put wheels on it to move it around the yard to spread the poo I think instead of an A frame like my chicken tractor I would make it square so I could put a roof (corrugated plastic) roof on for shade. I know that my poor chicks hated the heat/sun in the chicken tractor. I am sure rabbits would appreciate the shade.

So is this just a bad idea and would a regular hutch on legs be better?

 

[wamplercathy]

Best advise I can give is go to a farm store, Orschelns, Tractor Supply, or web stores like KW cage store, or bass equipment. Buy the cage is what I'm suggesting. Cheaper in the long run. Plus if you go smaller than 1" x 1/2" on the floor the bunny berries won't fall through and then you have a mess. I built mine but that's only because I found a 10'L x 3'W x 18"T cage in the barn. Then was given 2 huge rolls of wire. So when it's all said and done I'll have 6 huge cages for less than $100. The cloth wire on the sides sounds like a good idea. Were I live that wouldn't keep coons out of the cages, but we've got coons pushing 50+ lbs. :x We built a cage for a pet bun for a friends daughter out of pallets but it was destroyed with in a year. They went with wire for the second one. Lol.
Hope this helps.

 

[Susie570]

I built my first cage yesterday (sort of, still need to figure out a door).

I'm less than pleased.

Not only was it a pain in the butt, j-clips.... ugh... and not only did I get cut, scraped and stabbed by the wire, but I truly could have just bought a cage for about the same price in the end.

Those tsc j-clip pliers suck roadkill butt. My hand hurts and the pliers bend if you squeeze them too hard.

At one point, the other end of the wire panel I was cutting, flew up and the wires jabbed into my arm. I have a line of dots across my bicep.

I don't recommend building cages unless you get the stuff super cheap or free. :/

 

[Marinea]

So would a 3 ft tall 4x8 cage be big enough? The back 2 ft would be enclosed on the sides with a door. Then 1/2 in hardware cloth (we have raccoons) on the top, sides, and underneath. I could put wheels on it to move it around the yard to spread the poo I think instead of an A frame like my chicken tractor I would make it square so I could put a roof (corrugated plastic) roof on for shade. I know that my poor chicks hated the heat/sun in the chicken tractor. I am sure rabbits would appreciate the shade.

So is this just a bad idea and would a regular hutch on legs be better?

The tractor size is plenty big enough. I would definitely have a roof to help with the Texas heat. Personally, I would not use hardware cloth- it can be rough on the rabbits' feet, and a determined predator will get in. Knowing you have raccoons in the area, I would also be concerned about them trying to turn it over and scaring the buns.

If I had to buy wire, was concerned about predators, and concerned about the heat, I would likely forego a tractor and build a covered cage setup in a shady area of the yard. It would cost a little more up front, but it would be a one time expense. My idea would likely be posts sunk in the ground, framed and roofed, and hanging cage(s) under that.

 

[WhenInRhome]

The hardware cloth I am talking about is wire. On a chicken forum I am on "chicken wire" is the devil and they all recommend hardware cloth. Well that is what they call it. It is wire and they all say it is the only predator proof thing to use http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-1-2-in-x ... /204331883 This is what I bought. We built a 4x8 coop with a 8x30 fully enclosed run this spring. The wire I linked was way too expensive for that size so we used welded wire that has 2x4 inch openings. They said it was not the best because a coon could reach through it and grab a hen and pull her through. We do lock them in the coop at night (all wood) and during the day I hope a hen would not stand next to the wire in a very large run and let a coon grab her.

I do have some welded wire with 2x4 openings that I could use on the floor. I used the wire in my link for my current cage and the poo falls through. Would it be different on the ground?


I looked at those jclips but they seemed like a pain in the butt. I was going to build a frame, attach the wire, then put trim over it to cover the edges. I cannot have a solid wire cage, I would not have anywhere to hang it, or shade it. This is what I am thinking it would look like http://www.therabbithouse.com/outdoor/r ... nplans.asp but the top would be solid for shade.

I have a ton of extra wood. When we built our coop and run I only had to buy the siding for it. I also have about 25 feet of extra wire. I would only be out the hinges, locks, and roof.

 

[Marinea]

Yes, that is typical hardware cloth.

You don't want to use 2x4" wire for flooring- the spacing is much too big for buns. 1"x1/2" is typical floor wire for rabbits.

Seeing a picture of your proposed hutch and knowing what materials you have on hand, here is what I would do. Keep in mind this is just me, and I have a DIY mentality: I would go to Tractor Supply or somewhere and buy 1x1/2" floor wire. That is really a must have. I would build the hutch using that floor wire and then hardware cloth the sides and top. If I was really worried about the coons, I might put a layer of the welded wire over top of the hardware cloth. I would absolutely put a roof on it, with some overhang for blowing wind and rain.

I would have it on wheels or something to lift it a bit off the ground, and so that it can be moved around. Rabbits, in my experience, tend to find a "potty corner" in their cage, and if the hutch is on the ground, it might get messy quick.

I would use untreated wood for any parts of the hutch the rabbits will be able to chew on, and treated wood for everything else. I would use screws and not nails to make it easier to make repairs if needed. I would probably think about having the roof in two sections- a separate roof covering that comes off, and then maybe a hinged top so that you can have easy access to the entire hutch. If you are going to have doors on the sides, make them larger than you think you need. You'd be surprised how frustrating it can be trying to get a nest box in and out of a too tight door.

Just my thoughts. Hubby and I have built almost everything on our little farm. Almost all of it is repurposed. We are always looking for new ideas and would love to see pics as you go along with your build.

 

[WhenInRhome]

Yes, that is typical hardware cloth.

You don't want to use 2x4" wire for flooring- the spacing is much too big for buns. 1"x1/2" is typical floor wire for rabbits.

Seeing a picture of your proposed hutch and knowing what materials you have on hand, here is what I would do. Keep in mind this is just me, and I have a DIY mentality: I would go to Tractor Supply or somewhere and buy 1x1/2" floor wire. That is really a must have. I would build the hutch using that floor wire and then hardware cloth the sides and top. If I was really worried about the coons, I might put a layer of the welded wire over top of the hardware cloth. I would absolutely put a roof on it, with some overhang for blowing wind and rain.

I would have it on wheels or something to lift it a bit off the ground, and so that it can be moved around. Rabbits, in my experience, tend to find a "potty corner" in their cage, and if the hutch is on the ground, it might get messy quick.

I would use untreated wood for any parts of the hutch the rabbits will be able to chew on, and treated wood for everything else. I would use screws and not nails to make it easier to make repairs if needed. I would probably think about having the roof in two sections- a separate roof covering that comes off, and then maybe a hinged top so that you can have easy access to the entire hutch. If you are going to have doors on the sides, make them larger than you think you need. You'd be surprised how frustrating it can be trying to get a nest box in and out of a too tight door.

Just my thoughts. Hubby and I have built almost everything on our little farm. Almost all of it is repurposed. We are always looking for new ideas and would love to see pics as you go along with your build.

So that wire is not coon proof? ugh! That is the only wire the people on the chicken forum said was completely predator proof! I know we have raccoons, my neighbors have lost 2 flocks of chickens to them. They have a small chicken wired run though that is just sitting on the dirt, easy to lift and go under. Some of theirs were lost free ranging though. Mine are in the run all of the time.
The chicken tractor I built I used the 2x4 opening wire because that was all I had at the time and then I covered it in chicken wire to deter a coon from reaching in and grabbing one. It is a small 4x8 tractor for chicks before they go to the main coop. Well and right not to house a chicken with an impacted crop. All of the wood we have is untreated. The pallet we used for our current pen though, I could not figure out if it was. There was supposed to be a code on it that said if it was fired or chemically treated. It did not have a code. I am guessing treated though

I will go pick up some of the wire you recommended Thanks for the info!


Oh and the pen I was going to make with a hinged roof. That way the girls could sit in and play with them. Much easier to access!

 

[wamplercathy]

I built my first cage yesterday (sort of, still need to figure out a door).

I'm less than pleased.

Not only was it a pain in the butt, j-clips.... ugh... and not only did I get cut, scraped and stabbed by the wire, but I truly could have just bought a cage for about the same price in the end.

Those tsc j-clip pliers suck roadkill butt. My hand hurts and the pliers bend if you squeeze them too hard.

At one point, the other end of the wire panel I was cutting, flew up and the wires jabbed into my arm. I have a line of dots across my bicep.

I don't recommend building cages unless you get the stuff super cheap or free. :/

I went and got a tetanus shot after I started on mine. Wire is the :twisted:
:lol: :lol:

 

[ottersatin]

When you're building cages,
you have got to cut the pieces to size and then flatten them by placing them
on the ground and stepping on them. Once you build a cage or two it becomes easy!
If it was too easy, everyone would do it! I have quite a few cages for sale,
for anyone who's New York State bound!
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[wamplercathy]

When you're building cages,
you have got to cut the pieces to size and then flatten them by placing them
on the ground and stepping on them. Once you build a cage or two it becomes easy!
If it was too easy, everyone would do it! I have quite a few cages for sale,
for anyone who's New York State bound!
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

I was following instructions from a book. It said to bend 1 long piece into a U (for the front, top, and back). To say the least, I will never bend the wire ever again. :lol:

The clips from TS (or at least the ones I bought) were heavy duty clips and the pliers they sell are not heavy duty. :? :shock: So I have a bag of the hd clips and a bag of the reg clips. Now I just need to order the hd pliers. :x :lol: :lol: Because those stronger clips would be perfect for attaching the flooring. :lol: