Homemade Rabbit Cage

Design Of Cage
The best homemade rabbit cages are built of welded wire. Wire cages are more durable than wooden cages and are less expensive in the long run. Wire cages reduce the incidence of disease because they are easier to clean and disinfect. The major consideration in selecting a rabbit cage is to get one that is self-cleaning. Time used in cleaning can be better used on other phases of rabbit production. No part of the floor should be solid, nor should a loose board be placed in the cage. Diseases commonly spread from dirt, moisture, and droppings remaining on these areas. Wood is not a desirable material for cage construction. abbits gnaw on wood. !t absorbs water and urine, ma"ing good sanitation more difficult. !f wood is used it should be limited to the framewor". !nner portions should be made of wire. #void treated wood if it is in contact with rabbits because it may be harmful. $any cage designs are manufactured. The basic cage used in most rabbitries is %& inches wide, %' inches long, and () inches high. $ost have rectangular sides *conventional style+, but some have rounded tops *,uonset style+. Doors may be hinged at the top, sides, or bottom. abbit cages are usually placed on a framewor" supported by legs. This method re,uires some type of cover to protect the rabbits from sun, wind, and rain. The following plans outline the procedure for building one unit of two %& - %' inch wire single-tier cages. .ach cage will house a medium-si/ed doe and litter or five to seven fryer rabbits. #ll wire for these cages except for the flooring consists of welded, (0gauge galvani/ed wire with ( - ( or ( - 1 inch grid openings. The floor is made of ('gauge welded wire with (21 - (21 or (21 - ( inch grid openings.

List of Materials
Conventional 3455 6 T586 9!D.96 .ND96 *(+ *1+ *%+ *0+ ( piece of %' x 7) in. wire ( piece of %& x 71 in. wire 1 pieces of (: x 71 in. wire 1 pieces of (: x %& in. wire Quonset ( piece of %' x 7) in. wire ( piece of 0) x 71 in. wire --------1 pieces of () x %& in. wire

8# T!T!5N6 D55 96 $!9;6

*:+ *'+ *7+ *)+ *<+

( piece of () x %& in. wire 1 pieces of (' x () in. wire ---------------1 pieces of 71-in. sections of :2(' in. steel rod for floor 1 door latches (&& small hen-cage clips 1: large hen-cage clips %& no. (&( hog rings 1 pieces of 10-in. length, no. < galvani/ed wire

( piece of 1( x %& in. wire 1 pieces of () x 1& in. wire % pieces of No. (1 galvani/ed wire 1 pieces of 71-in. sections of :2(' in. steel rod for floor 1 door latches

3#9T.N. 96 *;ommon to both styles+

Construction
These cages are most easily constructed in units of two cages. 4ay out the floor first by removing a % - %-inch section from each corner of the flooring. =end up a %-inch section along each side of the floor to prevent young bunnies from falling from the cage. #ttach the steel rods to the front and rear edges of the floor, using hog rings. The partition and ends of the ,uonset cage are shaped using a pattern. #llow a :2) inch section of the wires to extend beyond the pattern. =end these wires around a No. (1 edging wire. 8osition the ends and partition on the floor and fasten them using small hen-cage clips. #ttach the front and bac" sides of the conventional cages to the bent-up flooring. Do not fasten the partition to flooring in the area where the doors will be located. 3asten sides to the partition and ends. 4ay the top of the ,uonset cages over the floor, ends, and partition. 3asten to the front and rear of the flooring, using small hen-cage clips spaced every : inches. aise the center partition and fasten to the top. epeat the process with each end section. ;ut the door openings in the front side of each cage. .ach opening should be 1 inches smaller than the doors in height and width. 3ile all sharp protruding wires. #ttach the doors, using large hen-cage clips as hinges. #ttach the No. < wire around the door openings, using the large-si/ed clips. !nstall the door latch to complete the cage. The cages can be suspended from an overhead support, using six strands of No. (1 galvani/ed wire. #ttach a wire to each corner of the individual cages for proper support. Prepared by Dr. Tom Smith, Jr., Extension Poultry Science Specialist This document is public information and may be reproduced in part or in total. t should not be used to imply endorsement of any specific brand or product.