Chloe’s First Cage

[Lady Ananke]

I edited this, so I didn’t make a whole new topic   (Original Topic under photos)

So, I got Chloe’s first cage set up. It was a used cage I bought for $15, but it’s something. I plan on using the original cage and NIC cubes to build her a bigger cage when I can afford it, but for right now… I hope this will do  

I want to make an NIC cage for my Chloe, but the price seems a little, over the top (It’s supposed to be cheaper) I came up with I think $179 for a 4 length by 2 wide, and 3 tall Cage :/ Where do you get your NIC Cubes from?

[Zombie-Sue]

Where are you getting the 48 number?

You could use something else for shelves–like, plywood, for example, that’s a lot cheaper, instead of using more NIC squares. I get plywood at Home depot and hold it up with 2 x 2s. They will cut it for you and stuff.

I got my NIC cubes from Target, I think they cost the same as at Walmart. The only thing is that the ones at Target (and Walmart I think) have mostly grids with large holes that a rabbit can stick its head through. I plan my cages so that the grids with the small holes line the bottom and the areas near the shelves, and then I use the large-holed grids for like, the roof or areas where the rabbits can’t easily access. Some buns are climbers, though, so that might not work for everyone.

[Lady Ananke]

So taking out the shelves, I would still need 36 of them (Total pieces) , so 9 packs of 4, or 6 packs of 6. (Being $180 not including tax) 

9 For the front
9 for the Back
12 for both sides
and 6 for the top

[MoveDiagonally]

Hm… Let me see.

In a set of 4 whole cube shelves there are 16 grids. A set like this I mean:
http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6070-1723-Storage-Cubes-Black/dp/B000LRBSFI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388825641&sr=8-1&keywords=Whitmore+Cube+Shelves

$19.79 for the set (from Amazon) comes out to about $1.23 a grid.
3X2 by 3 one grid high levels = 36 grids with a top. If you got 3 packs of grids you would have extras to work with shelves or for bunny proofing in general. 

About $ 59.37 for the grids alone. You would also need zip ties and flooring.

[Zombie-Sue]

The best things about NIC grids are that the zip ties are easily cut and redone. Rebuilding rabbit cages is one of my favorite things to do lol.

Don’t worry about having a grand cage right now if you can’t afford it. When I first got my first rabbit, his cage was 2 x 3 grids (so like 6.5 square feet) which is below the requirement, but that’s what I could afford and he didn’t keel over and die, either, because he got plenty of time to run around my room.

It might be cheaper for you to just buy a used dog crate or something and then spend the rest of your money rabbit proofing your room. As long as your bun gets out at least a few hours a day, and the more the better, your bun will be plenty happy and it will mean ample time for you to bond with her.

[MoveDiagonally]

2X3 grids is actually about 8.1 sq ft 3.5′ X 2.3′ (grids are 14″ each).

I agree with not worrying about having a huge cage right away. If you want to go the NIC route and bought two packs of grids for $19.79 ($39.58 total). Zip ties for $5, plywood for $9, vinyl flooring for $7. That’s a decent cage (3 X 2 grids X 2 grids high) that you can add on to later for $60 or so.

[Megabunny]

Remember carpeting or something for the floor. I love the linoleum I have on my bun’s cage, but he slips and slides, and that can’t be good for his back or anything else, so I duct tape lengths of carpeting down, and if I need to take them up and clean them outside, I can do that without too much fuss. I get carpet (varying lengths) at Home Depot for $4-8.

[Zombie-Sue]

I got 7 square feet.

(2 x 3 x 14) / 12

Am I not doing this right?

NEVER MIND I get it now lol. -yawn- Too early for math.

Anyway my rabbit was happy in a small space and even without platforms. Don’t worry. We won’t judge you.

[Lady Ananke]

Thank you all so much for your help!
I just REALLY wanted to get her out of this travel carrier (Med size for dogs) as soon as possiable.

I found this lady on facebook who was selling a Rabbit cage with bedding and toys for $15, so I bought it (it’s something for now).

I plan on building onto it with the NIC cubes (if its possible, I think it is)

**Edited my original post (the first one )

[MoveDiagonally]

Hey Lady Ananke! Next time I would add the new info to the bottom but leave the main post intact. Deleting the entire original post makes this hard to follow for others joining the thread.

What are the dimensions of this cage? The minimum recommended for a single rabbit is 4’X2′ (8 sq ft).

[Lady Ananke]

@MoveDiagonally
I re-edited the first post to add it back in
and I just measured that cage.. Its 39 1/2 inches (3.29ft) long by 24 Inches (2ft) wide , So it’s a little off of how big it should be, but it’s just temporary, it’s larger then the Dog crate I had her in for the first 2 days

[Bam]

You could hang a blanket or towel etc over one third or so of the temporary cage, so she has a place to “hide”. I have a similar cage to your that I’ve used when my bunnies where neutered and when I’ve brought a bunny with me for New Year’s, and I think they like it better if part of the cage is covered so they’re not totally exposed to the world, which to a rabbit is full of predators =)

Then when you expand her living-area, you can put in a cardboard hidey-box instead.

[Author]

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