New to Rabbits

[Pastor Dave]

The construction looks pretty good.
T-posts sounds like it would give more support to the bottom.
I was going to suggest 1/2" dia. pvc pipe. There is a good post on here or somewhere else maybe that gives a complete instruction on building a rack system out of pvc to stack cages on and allows for drop pans too.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Oh, also. I recommend a minimum of a 12" door hole with a 14"door for 1" overlap on all sides.

 

[ccheek]

Thank you! I've been looking through the threads to try to find some ideas, hopefully I will run across the PVC post soon. I have a gutter at home that is just surplus from another project so if I can get the cages to hang I would like to put some tin under the cages at an angle to run all the drippings into the gutter after poking a few holes in the bottom of it to let the pee drain out. At clean out time, in a perfect world, I could just throw it on my garden.

I'm still trying to figure out the door, hence the fact it isn't cut yet. Thank you for the advice. I was wondering how big the door needed to be, especially since I'm not sure how big they are going to get at this point.

 

[Pastor Dave]

The size I recommended may not work for giant breeds, but should work for large breeds and smaller.

 

[ccheek]

Thank you. Any recommendations on which way the door opens? I've been told it can open any way you want it, but I would like to hear what has seemed to work best for you guys.

 

[samssimonsays]

I have seen people have them open in and they swing up. I do not like that as it is more difficult for me personally but people like them. THen no latches are required. I have had them open out and down before but often got caught on the corners if there was a struggle.

NOW I have doors that swing open to the side and although they can come back at you, it is easier for me. I like having the door swing to the right but I have both.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I agree with Samantha.
I have some commercial cages that hinge at top and swing in or out. The ones I have made are hinged on the side and open to left or right. I guess I prefer left hand side for whatever it matters. It also makes it simpler by design as to which side or center the door is placed. I used J-clamps for hinges and you can buy latches in bulk as well as the channeled strips you put along the cutout and edges of the door, so you and the bunnies don't get scratched.

 

[ccheek]

I still have a lot of J-clamps left over so that won't be a problem. I saw the channeled strips in pictures on another thread and was like "Oh, I gotta get me some of that stuff!" . I have scratches all over me just from trying to build the cages.

 

[Pastor Dave]

Yah, I fully understand the scratches from fabricating with the mesh.
I would come in and my wife would ask if I had been scratched by a rabbit. I began leaving bandaids in the shed. Better keep up on your tetanus shot, and stock up on triple antibiotic ointment.