Planning rabbit colony, your opinions?

[Alasgun]

Plug “rabbit cage wire” into a search engine and a number of sources will pop up.
the most common and as already mentioned best overall choice for bottom wire is 14ga. 1 by 1/2, galvanized after welding.
I bought mine from the folks in Wisconsin and had a pallet of wire sent to Alaska.
i wish we had a “Tractor supply” up here!

 

[CloverHollow05]

Ok, I think we are thinking of the same thing! So I have a few more questions.

How high up the edge of the cage should my babysaver wire go? Is 3 inches ok, or would 4 inches be better? (My stackers have metal urine guards going 4 inches up and we have never had an issue, but I want to do wire for my new setup)

I plan to mount the new cages on wooden posts, either mount them directly to the wooden posts, or use a chain to have them hung between posts. Which sounds safer? Is it possible to make the cages with a 36" depth in that situation, or would 24"-30" be better?

Does the wire gauge matter on the sides?

 

[Alasgun]

I have no experience with “baby saver” wire. It’s essentially the same spacing as the floor wire and i understand the concept; however, my kits are always born in nest boxes that contains them until they’re 2-3 weeks old. By then they cant get thru the 1 by 2 side wire. Once they start exploring outside the nest box, i toss in a slice of hay and dump them out. Never had any issues either but that’s not to say other arrangements are better or worse, just what’s worked for me!

Our rabbitry is set up with 28 deep by 34 wide holes, simply because that’s how the math worked out. This is inside the building. Then outside, they each have 36 by 36 cages with a wall pennetration between them. During the winter they are plugged and everyone stays inside!

All cages are fastened to the back wall and supported by chains on the front side. Wire guage is 16 ga by 1 by 2 inch for the wall’s.

this site’s acting squirelly today for some reason! Go to my profile page and look for Alasgun’s hopper haven rabbitry and you can get a better visual on my cage arrangement, which is far more complicated than necessary. That’s what happens when retired people take on something new!

 

[Hideaway Pines]

the cage welded wire only needs to be on the bottom, you can go up an inch or so if that is easier, but hardware cloth is great for the rest of the cage. On the input that Alasgun said, I agree, babies need to be born in a nesting box and they do not leave this box until they are fine to be on the wire of this size. the size of your cage depends on the set up you have, you will have to brace the bottom if you go really large, to ensure the bottom is not going to sag, and again keep in mind ease of cleaning and keeping them safe from predator's. Our cages are in an enclosed building where one side had hardware cloth reinforced with hog panels to allow air flow but no access from critters wanting to eat them. we also buried hardware cloth out three feet around this building which is half rabbits half chickens. so far (6 years now) we have not lost any of our animals.

as far as if you use posts or hang them, rabbits do hop around a lot, so if you hang them, stabilize them so they do not swing. but go for what you feel works best for your set up.

 

[Finnie]

Ok, I think we are thinking of the same thing! So I have a few more questions.

How high up the edge of the cage should my babysaver wire go? Is 3 inches ok, or would 4 inches be better? (My stackers have metal urine guards going 4 inches up and we have never had an issue, but I want to do wire for my new setup)

I plan to mount the new cages on wooden posts, either mount them directly to the wooden posts, or use a chain to have them hung between posts. Which sounds safer? Is it possible to make the cages with a 36" depth in that situation, or would 24"-30" be better?

Does the wire gauge matter on the sides?

I had this book, and it has detailed plans on building wire cages. (I didn’t pay $20 for the book, maybe Amazon isn’t the best source for this one. I probably got mine from Tractor Supply.) https://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Housing-Planning-Equipping-Facilities/dp/1603429662

It’s a pretty good book overall for learning about rabbit equipment and supplies.

 

[CloverHollow05]

I had this book, and it has detailed plans on building wire cages. (I didn’t pay $20 for the book, maybe Amazon isn’t the best source for this one. I probably got mine from Tractor Supply.) https://www.amazon.com/Rabbit-Housing-Planning-Equipping-Facilities/dp/1603429662

It’s a pretty good book overall for learning about rabbit equipment and supplies.

Ooooooo ok, thank you! I will have to check it out!


Thank you everyone for your help!

 

[Grizzlyhackle]

I bought a roll of 30" x1"x1/2" 16 awg just last week at tsc. Used to be sourced from China this was from Vietnam. I have bought several in the last 5 yrs. This was the first roll that had spliced sections welded and some of the splices didn't hold, which left maybe three pieces poking out. Watch your hands.
Also the galvanizing didn't take or wasn't done again in those areas.
I only use the 16 awg on the sides, it's to small for big rabbits feet. Learned that the hard way. I bought a roll of the 14 guage from klubertanz?? in Wisconsin. Its not cheap but easy on the feet and should outlast me. I don't know if it's the quality of the wire or the thickness makes a difference. 16 awg from TSC and Lowes same mfg,distributor, doesn't hold up to the pee and poop like the 14 has. I've had to replace sections. I screw everything together so I can pull it apart easier. Pulling the poultry staples that hold the wire on the wood frame is another story.

 

[CloverHollow05]

I bought a roll of 30" x1"x1/2" 16 awg just last week at tsc. Used to be sourced from China this was from Vietnam. I have bought several in the last 5 yrs. This was the first roll that had spliced sections welded and some of the splices didn't hold, which left maybe three pieces poking out. Watch your hands.
Also the galvanizing didn't take or wasn't done again in those areas.
I only use the 16 awg on the sides, it's to small for big rabbits feet. Learned that the hard way. I bought a roll of the 14 guage from klubertanz?? in Wisconsin. Its not cheap but easy on the feet and should outlast me. I don't know if it's the quality of the wire or the thickness makes a difference. 16 awg from TSC and Lowes same mfg,distributor, doesn't hold up to the pee and poop like the 14 has. I've had to replace sections. I screw everything together so I can pull it apart easier. Pulling the poultry staples that hold the wire on the wood frame is another story.

Ohhhhhhhh ok!

 

[CloverHollow05]

I have been continuing to do research and pricing wires and such. I have some 3 ft wire on hand that I would like to use for the floor of my cage. I thought it was 1/4 inch openings, turns out its 1/2 inch openings! I believe it is 19 gauge. My rabbits are small, 3 or 4 pounds. I do give them straw and hay to rest their feet from the wire. I actually have two of my largest rabbits on this wire currently and have had no issues with their feet getting sores. It would cut down the cost a large amount, as it was leftover from a project a family member never finished, but if it has a negative impact on the rabbit I am completely willing to pay the extra money to get different wire. Would this be ok to use?

 

[Hideaway Pines]

As far as I can see it should be fine. Since you have rabbits on this wire already, it sounds like it would be a good option. As long as the poop can fall through it then go for it. Also, I use plastic guards in my cages too, that gives them something else to be on, and I have not had any sore hops since using them now almost on 3 years. But I am always a fan of using material I have when possible. I hope that works well for you.