Where can I find INEXPENSIVE dropping pans?

[jimmywalt]

We have stacking cages 24"x24". It seems that paying $14.99 for a plastic pan is pretty expensive.

I use to work for a manufacturer that made plastic items and they are extremely inexpensive to make, so $14.99 seems like a rip off.

I've searched the web high and low and can't find anything cheaper......... But I just feel there has to be something? I even searched the big box home improvement stores for "washing machine" pans, but they aren't the right size.

Anyone know where to get these cheaper, or even how to make your own?

Here are the ones I have been purchasing -
https://shop.familyfarmandhome.com/prod ... -9618.html

 

[PSFAngoras]

To be honest I would try to find some better quality more expensive ones first, and know that you'll likely never have to replace them, than buy cheap ones again and having to replace them later.

I started with tractor supply trays in my stacks that I built, (24x24 and 30x36). The 24's cost about $15 each and the 30x36 were about $20. They started to severely warp within a couple months, and since they use the ridges in the floor to stabilize the tray (and texture the face for some illogical unknown reason!) I find them harder to keep looking clean. I know CO has some pretty extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night, but there are other trays that hold up without complaining and come clean easier.

I've since started to replace all my trays with Dura Trays. They cost a bit more ($20 ish for the 24x24 I believe) but they're holding up MUCH better. No warping, no cracking, and the bottoms are completely flat and smooth so they're easier to keep looking new. I have some trays I purchased used which must have already been five years or older when I got them, and with constant use, all they need is a quick scrub to get them looking like they've only been used for a month or two.

If you plan on raising rabbits for a while and on using a drop tray system to do so, I would suggest investing in better quality drop pans so you wont keep replacing them. If I'd have kept replacing my cheap trays with new cheap ones every time they needed replaced, if have way more into them than the initial investment into some nicer quality, longer lasting trays.

Just my two cents...

 

[michaels4gardens]

To be honest I would try to find some better quality more expensive ones first, and know that you'll likely never have to replace them, than buy cheap ones again and having to replace them later.

I started with tractor supply trays in my stacks that I built, (24x24 and 30x36). The 24's cost about $15 each and the 30x36 were about $20. They started to severely warp within a couple months, and since they use the ridges in the floor to stabilize the tray (and texture the face for some illogical unknown reason!) I find them harder to keep looking clean. I know CO has some pretty extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night, but there are other trays that hold up without complaining and come clean easier.

I've since started to replace all my trays with Dura Trays. They cost a bit more ($20 ish for the 24x24 I believe) but they're holding up MUCH better. No warping, no cracking, and the bottoms are completely flat and smooth so they're easier to keep looking new. I have some trays I purchased used which must have already been five years or older when I got them, and with constant use, all they need is a quick scrub to get them looking like they've only been used for a month or two.

If you plan on raising rabbits for a while and on using a drop tray system to do so, I would suggest investing in better quality drop pans so you wont keep replacing them. If I'd have kept replacing my cheap trays with new cheap ones every time they needed replaced, if have way more into them than the initial investment into some nicer quality, longer lasting trays.

Just my two cents...

I agree with this, -- good quality, durable equipment is always, the best investment.

 

[Dood]

These plastic trays for dog cages are under $10 each but are pretty brittle - i also prefer to buy the heavy duty plastic ones ONCE rather than cheaper brittle ones several times They also don't come in 24x24, however if you're handy with a saw you might be able to cut them to size without cracking them.

http://m.petco.com/product/102333/Petco ... -Tray.aspx