Build and Mount a DIY Wire Shelving Rabbit Cage - Version 2.0 - New and Improved Design!
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- My second time around building a DIY wire shelving rabbit cage - with an improved, sturdier design, easy access to a space for hay and pellets in between, and individual tops for each hole. This is an improvement over my last video about making rabbit cages out of wire shelving. I'll also show you how I mount the rabbit cage onto U-posts so they are off the ground.
Materials & tools used:
Bolt Cutters
Hog Rings
Hot Ring Pliers
5 - 5 foot U-posts
6 - 6x16" Closetmaid Linen wire shelves
2 - 6'X16" Closetmaid Tight Mesh wire shelves
#uncledutchfarms #homesteading #meatrabbits
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My name is Bethany, and I'm a single mom & homesteader here in Washington State. I'm building everything by hand (including my house) and while it is a slow process, it is definitely a labor of love.
I adore permaculture, black coffee, reading books, am semi-addicted to homesteading UA-cam videos, and my day is generally not complete if I don’t spend time in my garden.
If that sounds right up your alley, make sure to subscribe and click the bell so you won’t miss any of my awesome videos!
I started my channel because I found there were many women who doubted their ability to follow their dream of homesteading without a partner. I am here to tell you that YES you can do it! It is my sincerest wish that I could help some of you make that dream a reality.
HOLD THE PHONE!! You just changed my life. I had no idea that's what U-Posts could do!!! What in the what??? I was about to build a pvc pipe stand $$$... but I think I have some U-Posts that would be PERFECT for holding up my cages. You are a gem! A brilliant gem!!!! 14:01 is where the U-Post magic begins!!
Yeah they are awesome! I found a new use for them the other day - to hold my solar electric fence charger up off the ground. Those little slots are so helpful for so many things!
Yeah they are awesome! I found a new use for them the other day - to hold my solar electric fence charger up off the ground. Those little slots are so helpful for so many things!
Finally! A DIY rabbit cage / hutch project that I LOVE! Plus it's very affordable and easy to build! I've seen several videos for projects like this on UA-cam but yours is by far the best! I love how you allowed space between the cages for feeders - brilliant! Thank you so much! Liked & Subscribed. 🙂
You can find this shelving cheap at recycle home stores .
On the lid you want the turn down part to go over the front of the cage.
Take the back part of the top and tuck it under ther turn down on the back piece so the front lid will fit without a big gap between the two top pieces.
The paint on the floor wears off after a couple of years use. Be ready to replace the bottom piece every few years. Other than that these make very good, easy to build cages.
Thanks for the video.
Looks very nice and clean
Thanks!
Thanks!
The HAY FEEDER!!!!!! YES!!! I've been wanting to do a hay feeder in my hutch and I love that you have the pellet feeders in there also - this is serving the purpose of a divider wall so the rabbits don't wet each other PLUS a hay feeder, right? Great job, girl!
Well okay so it was not serving that purpose and TBH I would NOT do that again because they were a pain to refill! I had to make a "funnel" out of a feed sack, huge PITA. I'd just keep it as a hay feeder only.
this is FANTASTIC
grinder with cut off wheel works good too
It is the design I have saw on my research. Good job.
Great idea.
Thank you for being brave enough to open your a glimpse of your life with us. This was incredibly helpful. Also, if I get the right young people at Lowe’s, they will cut everything for me at no charge. It’s worth an ask to save time
This is by far the most cost-effective rabbit cages I've ever seen. I got a feeling they'll last a really long time too. I was just about to make my first cages but I think I'm going to steal this idea. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent
So glad I found you Bethany! While I'm not a single mom, i am pretty much a single homesteads as the hubs is not into any of this or handy either! It will be good to see what other woman are doing for themselves! I'm getting ready to build these cages, so thank you for the demo & wish me luck!
You're welcome!!
Love this!! I am in the same boat. His enthusiasm is willing but my husband spends most of his time as the sole financial provider and that leaves the homesteading to me
I have watched and re-watched several wire-shelving videos over the last 2 years.
Today, I discovered YOUR version and it is the easiest to follow for taking notes.
THANK YOU.
I will be going to buy supplies to build one this week.
Bravo and HATS OFF to you!!!!
I love Jessie's videos. Her sense of humour is refreshing and I like that her projects are usually accessible to the beginning hobbyist (like me) 4:15
Great updates on your rabbit cage/hutch. Of all the designs I've viewed using the shelving pieces, I like this version the best. I will be building a few of these as well. Thanks for sharing your upgrades. Keep striving, and loving the life, you have built for yourself and your daughter. 😁👍🏾😁
Do the rabbits chew on the plastic covering?
I have found this very useful. Thank you. Appreciated. I am about building one myself.
I found you through a comment on my channel and I'm so glad I did! These are amazing!! I will be trying these for sure!!
Brilliant!
Very nice. You did really great with ur animals.
I love the middle hay area what a great idea
It sure is what I'm looking for! The feed dock is fabulous. Thank you!
That's a pretty neat idea!
Way to go, young lady, wonderful job!
Thanks Lizzy!
Good job
Take the turn down of the back piece on the top too the front so instead of sticking up on the back have it turn down in the front. You might have to clip away the first piece of wire at the front corners so the turn down fits inside the cage at the front while still having the ends resting on the feed sides.
I love this set up. The feed area in between is awesome idea. Just a thought, an upside down triangle of metal or wood in bottom of hay area will eliminate waste falling right thru and push it to either cage for easy reach of last bites. I'm picking up the shelving tomorrow off FB marketplace for half price. Had 2 black rabbits adopt us as they showed up on Easter and were likely dumped. I caught them in a live trap and they are living in a temporary chicken house right now. Can't wait to start on this cage. Thanks again 👍😁
Oh what a great idea! Even just a piece of angle iron I bet would do the trick. I like that. The one thing I have found with the center area is that if one rabbit loves loves loves hay and the other doesn't, it can empty out really fast before the other has a chance to get any! LOL. but it also makes things so easy for feed.
Very Nice Thank you!!!
Awesome build. Just love this version. On vacation next week. I will be building one of these and getting rabbits.👍👍👍
Nice job. Very impressed with your ingenuity. We're really glad that we found your channel from your Facebook Group post. Great to find another Washington homesteading channel. Jay and Gin
Thanks guys!
Iike this build but one side is huge for just one rabbit. I think they make great kindling spaces and growout spaces. Thanks for the idea!
This is a great idea! It had be thinking about a quail cage!
Hey this is Angie! I saw your post on Homesteaders of UA-cam and I am very happy to meet you and see your story! Thank you for allowing us to follow along!
Thanks for stopping by! It's nice to see you here :)
How can i buy your cage mam ?HM
Why not! Great Idea!
I'm going to build some, too. I've seen several videos on building these.
Brilliant design!! We are going to be starting our adventure with rabbits this year. I really like this.
Dans Bois Homestead you will LOVE RABBITS!!!!
We finally get ours back in THREE DAYS!!!
The rabbit poop is magic fertilizer!!! Haha
That looks alot easier to make than using wood and chicken mesh, and sturdier. Thanks for posting. I'm in the process of setting up a rabbitary atm
I think it is - it sure came together a lot quicker than any of the other cages I'd built. They do cost a bit more than if you start with wood and rabbit wire but I think they will last longer as well.
LOVE it!!!
Please do an update on this Rabbit cage.!
Arthur, all we need is a few more rabbits, and we'll be gone
J Clips and a grinder from Harbor Freight and your project would go even faster, Grinder is cheaper than bolt cutters!!
J - Clips are too small. Grinder is better than bolt cutters, allows you to smooth the cuts
Interesting design, thanks. I’m still playing with what I want to do long term...
Yeah I really love them so far. The only flaws are that they seem to be a very attractive roosting spot for the chickens (ugh) so I need to rig up some poky wire on top. And one of my does likes to pull all the hay out from the center section on hers, so I have to put their hay inside the cage sections for that one.
That is brilliant! I'd love an update video to show how they hold up over time. Do the rabbits chew the coating? Does the exposed metal rust if/when they do?
I'll do one at some point! Maybe not till next year when I build a real barn. The rabbits haven't chewed the coating that I've noticed, but the cages are big enough and I have stuff in there for them to mess with so they don't get as bored.
So far I really like the cages, what I'd do differently next time is not put the pellet feeders inside the hay gap (they are a pain to fill!) and they really need some sort of covering to keep my chickens off. Tarps work okay but then the rabbits chew them so it's definitely not ideal.
@@UncleDutchFarms polycarbonate panels or barn roof siding?
Love the cage! Where did you purchase your shelving? I am finding it expensive at home improvement stores.
Brilliant idea! I'm a single mom, wannabe homesteader. (Have garden and ducks. Rabbits soon.) How have your rabbits been doing in the cages? Any chance of an update video? =D
Oh yay! So - the rabbits do great in the cages. The only thing I'd do differently is I'd make them less deep and maybe more wide - they are kinda hard to reach in and grab a rabbit when I need one! And I can't remember if I said so in the video but I'd put the pellet feeders inside the gap and I would definitely not do that again, they are a huge pain in the butt to fill up, I had to make a funnel out of a feed bag LOL! I'll make an update video sometime within the next year, I'm gonna probably build a real barn next year in 2021 and might do a revamp then.
We get our rabbits going this week. They've been with a friend for the last few months. Just found you on the homesteaders of youtube on FB. This video is great! --Kelly
Thank you! What kind of rabbits did you get?
We have Rex, their fur is sooooo soft! But we will be getting New Zealand’s here soon as well. --Kelly
You are amazing! Has it worked well and endured bunny teeth? Thanks
I love your videos. Thank you 🙏
This is perfect for the grow out cages I need to build! How do you winterize them?
Really Enjoyed your video.. Only 1 Qu. have you found any evidence of the rabbits chewing on the white rubber coating of the cage ?? Sub'ed.. I have noticed though that you have not posted in sometime.. I will watch your vids and maybe I will find out the reason and if none Hopefully you will start posting again... Thanks for the video and your time
Hey Rick - thanks!! I have found a little evidence of the coating coming off but I'm not sure if that's just normal wear and tear or them chewing on it. I don't think they do much at all, I do keep sticks and pinecones and whatnot in with them to keep them occupied.
And yes I know I haven't posted in ages - I was having equipment issues and editing videos takes so long and so it just became a non priority for a while but I actually recently got a new camera and am training one of my kids to edit the videos for me which I think should allow me to get on a more regular schedule.
@@UncleDutchFarms Thank you for your response. Glad to hear you got a new camera. Looking forward to future videos.
I have a question, I am moving all my cages outside. I built this a year or so ago… do you have any tips or ideas how to put a roof over it?
How long does it actually take to build a cage from start to finish
Love this design! Can you share what size the hot to be are?
Love this so have you had any problems with the center sagging on the bottom?
What size hogrings did you use? Seeing multiple sized.
Awesome idea, can you give us a cost analyses on the materials? I remodel homes and here in sw florida and i do alot of wire shelves. I discovered the bolt cutter about 2 yrs ago, what a huge time saver. I will be sub your channel
It was about $125 plus tax, I think? I got the panels shipped from Lowes, they shipped them for free which was really nice!
UncleDutchFarms.... could you give us some Lowe’s links to the ones you purchased?
I love this idea!!!!!
One question...what does the final dimension of each cage end up being I didn't catch it I sent think?
How deep is this cage? I'm gonna attempt to make a cage out of this wire shelving for my pet rats and was wondering if there would be enough room height wise to put some extra shelves inside to make it kind of 2 levels on either side. Thanks
Great build ! Cost ?
Do you do anything to protect from rust?
Hello, how are you! I like your video very much! Could you tell me where to buy these metal shelves, and what name are these shelves 😊! Thank you very much 👍
www.lowes.com/pd/ClosetMaid-6-ft-x-20-in-White-Wire-Shelf/1101483
Very cool farm, Do the rabbits eat the coating on the shelf wire?
Nope! Not so far, I think the cage space is big enough they don't get bored.
In the u.k we don't put our rabbits on wire floor off the ground because it's very bad on their feet.
Well thanks for your opinion! My rabbits have never had any foot issues, but I do give them 12 inch tiles to sit on if they need to give their hocks a rest. It's certainly much more sanitary this way in my case, especially with the chickens below eating any bugs.
What size hog rings?
Do they rust? Do the rabbits chew off the coating? What’s under the coating?
Love it btw!
So far, no chewing off at all. I think if exposed to water, they would rust - some of the very ends of the wire where I cut them off are a bit rusty, not as far as longevity goes I honestly have no idea! I think JNull0 has been using his for many years with no issues, but I know the mileage always varies.
@@UncleDutchFarms I made several outdoor catios the past 10 years and yes there is a little rust..at ends
...one of them I painted with rustoleum brown and it looked nice with my brown building....blended right in...Used spray and THAT DID fail, it NEEDS PAINTING again, with a brush probably.
I do worry about the toxicity of th eproduct indoors, but outdoors, maybe there is enough ventilation. There are stainless steel cable ties as well. After about 8 years I did have some shelving fall from upper brackets... due to cable tie failure....but it took years...
Is this wire shelf available online. Request you to plz send link
www.lowes.com/pd/ClosetMaid-6-ft-x-20-in-White-Wire-Shelf/1101483
@@JR-uy3zo tile would be easier to clean than the mesh...unless a drain and power washer or steamer works well....
Very nice! Are you near Spokane?
Yep! About an hour or so north-ish.
@@UncleDutchFarms You're near Grass Fed Homestead then. I like following channels in my neck of the woods.
Are they cost effective
I think so, but it depends. Costs have probably gone up quite a bit on everything since I made this video, so it might not be the cheapest. But it also might be!
U freaking genius... i get my rabbits sat ill be doing this Friday... thank u... what was the total cost?
Oh, yikes! I have no idea now. sorry! I guess I should have noted that... LOL!
@@UncleDutchFarms its cool i made it the cost was $156.00
I made mine today and accidentally got 1” for the floor instead of 1/2” :( now it’s all put together and my hubby said “aren’t the babies gonna fall thru 1” spacing?” :( :( :(
Oh too bad! But you can probably take it apart and get some of the correct flooring spacing?
Haha, we just got a roll of wire and put a floor in no big deal. We are up and running and everything is great. 12’x2’x16” with 4 cages. Got young breeding stock in there now. I’d love to show you if you’re on FB... I’ll check! Thx for following up!
For viewers, I made one and I love it. Highly recommend. Check craigslist, Facebook marketplace and OfferUp for cheap or free used shelving. Also Home Depot will heavily discount bent or warped materials. I got (3) of my 12’ sections for $5 each.
@@Annie-go7uu Several Habitat for Humanity Restore stores sold it one dollar per foot...have amassed many that way.....used them in a building for walls with ventilation and cat dog barriers.
I really liked this and I think one of the reasons I liked it so well is because of the space to add hay. I saw ua-cam.com/channels/cFref2gF-TtFWQrNMijA_g.html make cages like this. I think with the divider space in between the separate compartments would work well. I bought a stackable 24x36x 18 3 cage setup from a Maine company that builds them and I like it with one exception. One of the does we purchased is a Red Rex Mini Satin. For her, we have the plastic resting mats on half the cage bottom and have ordered 2 more for the other side. I am going to need at least three cages in the next 3 months and I am thinking of using the bottom shelf like you did, but for the sides us regular cage wire.
I really appreciate the time you took to share this project and do hope you show us the Silver Foxes in their new home.
Blessings, Jim
THank you Jim! Yes the hay spot has been REALLY awesome. I recorded the footage for this video a few months ago so have been using the cages and it works really well except I should have situated both of the J feeders close to the front instead of one in the back and front. But having the hay spot in the middle is awesome, it's an extra windbreak as well. The only problem with it so far is I have a doe that will pull all the hay out onto her side, so for those girls I have to feed them their hay right into the cage. But overall, it's working really great.
@@UncleDutchFarms Thanks for the reply back. One thing I always try to keep in mind as I watch whatever I build is, how can I make it better and is making it doable even possible. You will figure it out.
I agree, having both the J feeders near the front makes sense and I am wondering if with my big hands if I could even get a cup of feed down there without spilling. Also, with a nursing doe, I would want to use a bigger J feeder.
Blessings,
Jim
Oh yes getting the feed down there is a hassle, but I made a rudimentary "funnel" out of a plastic feed bag and staples and it works pretty well so I can just pour in the pellets from the top. I found myself also using the funnel for the one cage I have with the feeder out front, it's kinda nice and that way I don't spill.
@@UncleDutchFarms as I mentioned, I have a doe that will be having kits the beginning of Feb, so I have some time to make a new set of cages for the grow out pen.
Thanks again. Blessings.
Zd_