Where do you purchase welded wire (looking for best prices)

[jimmywalt]

Where do you purchase a small quantity of welded wire?

I'm actually looking to replace the floor of one of my 24" x 24" rabbit cages. I need 1" x 1/2" welded wire for the floor.

Looking to find the most cost effective deal.

Thank you.

 

[ckcs]

The best price I've found for small amounts of 1/2" x 1" x 10' wire are
Tractor Supply $22.99
Ace Hardware $19.99
Lowes $16.99 (located outside in the fencing area)

I've bought from each and the wire is pretty much the same.

 

[jimmywalt]

The best price I've found for small amounts of 1/2" x 1" x 10' wire are
Tractor Supply $22.99
Ace Hardware $19.99
Lowes $16.99 (located outside in the fencing area)

I've bought from each and the wire is pretty much the same.

Is this the Lowe's item you are referring to (#52347)? Looks to be 16 gauge. Wonder if that's good enough to support the weight of 4 to 5 lb rabbits?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_52347-16418-840 ... 252&rpp=32

 

[Miss M]

I have gotten the stuff from Ace by the foot, so you don't have to buy a full roll of it.

It was 16 gauge, as the stuff at that Lowe's link is. It sags pretty badly, and I'm glad I have only one cage with it.

It's my understanding that better-quality 16-gauge wire will not sag like that, but you have to order it. You can order individual floor panels from Klubertanz, but this will cost more than Ace, primarily because of shipping. If there's a show in your area soon, you can check to see if Klubertanz will be there. You can place an order and pick it up there, without paying shipping.

 

[jimmywalt]

Thanks Miss M.

Both Ace stores by us will only order it by the roll and then sell it to us. They don't even have it in stock.

looks like I will have to locate some 14 gauge for sure.

Went to a rabbit show this past weekend and they didn't have any with them. :-( Not sure when/where the next show is going to be.

 

[ckcs]

Is this the Lowe's item you are referring to (#52347)? Looks to be 16 gauge. Wonder if that's good enough to support the weight of 4 to 5 lb rabbits?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_52347-16418-840 ... 252&rpp=32

Yup that is the one. I can't find 14g without going online. I use the floors in 28" x 28" cages with growing French Angoras (currently 6.5lbs) without any problems. I have several 4-5lb rabbits and some smaller on the same flooring (9 cages in all). No doubt 14g would be better and if you can find that go for it. I have never been able to find it locally though

My oldest floors are around a year old and they have no issues. All my rabbits are inside out of the weather. My only issue is I can't ever get my floors flat when I build cages. I think that is more me than the wire.

 

[user 3309]

I missed the sale for this DIY cage, but I bought it anyway: (sale of 29.99)

http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/pet-lod ... 0000008624

I was so proud of myself when it was put together! The only thing I need practice is to properly use the wire pliers so the clips don't wrap on to one wire.

 

[skysthelimit]

I know this is bad but...

A few years ago, when I started breeding seriously, I bought the Lowes wire.

The cages are inside, and the wire is almost 4 years old. The Silver Fox are on it, and it's held up well.

Whole litters of 8-10 have been on it. The cages are 24 x 30 or 30 x 30, In 3 and 4 cage banks. Most are zip tied. You can get away with it, the key is plenty of ties/j clips.

My plans are to replace them with better wire, but since this barn brings in no money, it's pretty slow going.

 

[Miss M]

I know this is bad but...

It isn't bad if it works, right?

I started with Bass cages with 16 gauge floors (before they started offering 14 gauge). The instructions said to put J-clips every 6 inches. We put them every 4. The floors sagged badly, even under a single 5-pound bunny. In one cage, I actually had a wire break in the middle of the floor. J-clips failed, and one rabbit got out as a result. I ordered floor panels from Klubertanz, and replaced the floors only about 18 months after I got the cages.

MSD has had a completely different experience with Bass cages. She put her J-clips every 2 inches, and her floors don't sag.

Soooooo... I needed a quick cage once, and bought wire at a local Ace. Put the J-clips every 2 inches. The floor is sagging badly. It's been maybe a year? :roll: