Not a place in my area that carries wires or cages

[bigbrologan]

Basically, the subject sums up my entire trip this afternoon. First, Johnny and I went to Lowe's. Found some decent looking wire, but the longest roll they was 10 feet. 10 FEET! What am I supposed to do with 10 feet? Build 4/5 of a cage? Then, I figured that the feed store MUST have cage wire. Boy, was I ever wrong. All they had was hardware cloth and 24x24 cages with pans that cost $40. I'm definitely not impressed with my little adventure today.

Besides my rant, I do have a question. How do I get wire? I really would like to try building my own cages, and I can't if I don't have any wire to do it with.

Logan

 

[MaggieJ]

There are online companies that specialize in rabbit supplies. This is just one.

http://www.klubertanz.com/

It's the only one I can think of at the moment, but wait for some other members to chime in, Logan. There are a lot of good suppliers but since I am Canadian I am not so familiar with the best bets south of the border. If you can locate one in your home state or nearby, you will save a lot on shipping costs.

 

[PatS]

I have to second MaggieJ's suggestion. I'm very near a Bass retailer, but after some research went ahead and ordered from Klubertanz. They make great cages or will sell you wire to make your own. Since their prices were so reasonable, I ordered the cages and my husband clipped them together himself. UPS shipping was a bit extra, but we are very pleased with the quality of the cages and the service we've received.

 

[bigbrologan]

I've decided to build something almost identical to Miss M's setup, because I can't get over how great it is and how perfect it would be.

After looking at Klubertanz and many posts on here, I have decided what I want to do. I'm going to buy the 14 gauge GAW pre-cut replacement panels that Klubertanz offers so that I can save my hand a little trouble. Then, I will purchase a 50 foot roll of 16 gauge GAW wire roll. I've estimated it will take nine (9) feet of the 16 gauge wire to form a cage. From what I've read, 14 gauge wire is extremely difficult to cut. Is this true? Are there better pliers that can help reduce the amount of force needed to cut?

Is it better to have the entire cage GAW or does just the bottom need GAW? Also, what's the difference between 1/2 x 1 and 1 x 1/2?

Pricing:

Five (5) 24x30 floor panels @$6.50 each=$32.50
Fifty (50) feet of 16 gauge GAW 1x1/2 (they didn't 1x1 for some reason) @$77.10
Twenty (20) 11 and 3/4 galvanized metal door frames (four per cage) @$0.43 each=$8.60
Five (5) galvanized spring steel wire spring door locks @$0.43 each=$2.15
One (1) J-clip pliers @$13.90
One (1) pound of 5/16 zinc plated standard J-clips @$2.90

Comes to a grand total of $137.15 not including shipping.

Had I chose to buy individual cages:
Five (5) 24x30 cages with baby-saver wire @$36.30 each=$181.50
One (1) J-clip pliers @$13.90

Comes to a grand total of $195.40.

You can see the significant difference in price. I'm hoping I included everything and if I didn't, please let me know.

I'll throw this on my parents and see what they have to say. Thank you all for the help

 

[curlysue]

I like klubertanz too.although these days i buy my cages already made at rabbit shows,saves on shipping.

 

[SatinsRule]

Logan, your up-front costs are going to be cheaper with the cheap stuff than with buying from Klubertanz, but where you're going to get chiseled is that the stuff you'd buy from Lowe's is weak. I bought a roll of their 1" X 1" wire to make some hay racks out of, and the welds were breaking left and right. I'd hate to see how it falls apart under the constant weight of a rabbit.

 

[bigbrologan]

curlysue, I rarely go to rabbit shows, and when I do, Klubertanz isn't the vendor.

SatinsRule, from what I've read, it is certainly worth the extra cost to get the wire from Klubertanz. THank you

 

[SatinsRule]

BBL, I can tell you from personal experience that it is definitely worth the extra $$$ to go with Klubertanz. As quickly as the Lowe's stuff began to come apart just on simple cuts, I can only imagine that it's going to rust like crazy, as well, and anytime you take something apart to remodel it, there is alot of extra trouble involved with doing so.

 

[bigbrologan]

Thank you for your help, SR.