What Wire Should You Use For Rabbit Cages?

[@OilfieldTrash78]

Sweet, Klubertanz has the best prices on wire that I have seen so far. Thanks!

[@sarahmangone7785]

Thank you very much! Never heard of klubertanz...hope they ship.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

They do! Shipping is expensive but worth it for the quality.

[@l0gic23]

Thanks for all the details!

[@MadRiverHomestead]

Hey, love your videos! I just got a steal on some 14 and 16 ga 1”x1” wire. I know those openings would definitely be too big for the bottom, so I was thinking of overlaying the bottom part with 1/2”x1/2” hardware cloth. Do you think that would work? Also, would the 1x1 be okay for the sides?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Thanks! 14 is the gold standard., 16 is fine for sides. 1 x 1 is fine for the sides. The reason people use larger opening like 1 x 2 is that it uses less wire so it's cheaper. Structurally smaller openings are actually better. 1 x 1 is also standard "baby saver" wire. you put it around the bottom six inches so kits can't escape. I would STRONGLY recommend not using hardware cloth. It rusts very quickly, falls apart, and is so narrow it's a recipe for sore hocks. Also overlaying it would create a lot of opportunities for pinching their feet. Plus the holes are almost to small for manure and get clogged frequently.

[@MadRiverHomestead]

@@westmeadowrabbits I didn’t even think about the poop! So you’re saying 1x1 would be okay? I know you use 1 x 1 1/2. I’m also planning to enclose the area where the cages will be. I’m afraid raccoons or potentially other predators may be able to get their paws through far enough to at least cause some damage.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

@@MadRiverHomestead1 x 1 is fine for everything except the floor. for the floor you really want 1" x .5". You could enclose them if you have a lot of predators. Most of mine aren't enclosed and I haven't had issues.

[@MadRiverHomestead]

@@westmeadowrabbits sounds good…thanks!

[@MadRiverHomestead]

@@westmeadowrabbits sorry to ask so many questions but I have one more. I went to the website you recommended. Looking at 1 x 1/2 a 50’ roll of galvanized AFTER is $207 and the same size galvanized BEFORE is clearanced $90 less. Is it worth it to buy the more expensive? Seems to me it makes sense to pay less and just replace floors when needed, but thought I should ask the pro! :)

[@tracybruring7560]

i really like your videos. very informative

[@michaelmello9510]

Nice work

[@mathewkelley5765]

Great information, thank you for your time. I was wondering about the link in this video? Is there a different source for your wire nowadays? This site is no longer working?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

That's odd, i just bought some wire a couple of weeks ago but am having the same issue. I'd see if you can google them and give them a call.

[@polish_pete_uk]

Legal requirement in European union for rabbit cage floor is 12 gauge. Max opening 0.5 inch by 3 inch. Or 19x19mm in case of square. Just as an interesting fact.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Interesting! Seems to make sense to me, 12 gauge is almost impossible to come by here for that size!

[@polish_pete_uk]

@@westmeadowrabbits very hard to come by here as well. Also very expensive, due to amount of steel in it.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

@@polish_pete_uk Makes sense. Well you know what they say, what the government doesn't know, can't hurt it...

[@ebookjeri]

Is that small enough to keep rats out?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

On the bottom yes, on the sides no.

[@suzanneguiho4882]

With a 1/2 inc by 1 inc wire mesh are the rabbits feet not vulnerable to be attacked by raccoons from the underneath of the cage?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

No it is to small for them to get their paws in. Also the cages should be hung at least three feet off the ground so it is not an issue.

[@jeanbergeron4112]

Good information

[@dakata160]

Hello, I'm from Bulgaria and here we mostly look at the rabbits on a solid wooden floor like me, but when they become very difficult to clean them, I personally currently have 60 rabbits each in a separate cage.It takes a long time to clean and complicates my process I want to ask the animals if they are comfortable in these mesh cages.Because the breeds I watch are relatively large and in the fourth month they become about six kilograms. I'm thinking of switching to what your opinion is.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

If you use the correct wire like I mentioned in the video then they should be ok. I use resting boards in the cages so they can get off the wire if they want, which helps a lot. They will probably be happier on the wire because it is cleaner!

[@dakata160]

@@westmeadowrabbits Thanks, I'm thinking of starting making them this summer ...

[@westmeadowrabbits]

@@dakata160 Good luck! remember to get 05 inch x 1 inch wire that is at least 16 gauge, but ideally 14 gauge is best

[@williamstephens3805]

Good good

[@VanessseXY69]

can't find wire bigger than 18 gauge in canada and even that is super expensive.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

That wire would be much to thin for large rabbits like new Zealands. Did you try googling 14 gauge welded wire?

[@MuffHam]

@@westmeadowrabbits I didnt make a cage. I made a shelf in my shed i put down 19 gauge its what i could find. There's a support beam every 2 feet. Should i try to change it out ? Rabbits aren't in hit right now.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

@@MuffHam I don't think that setup would be good in the long run, and it would be uncomfortable for the rabbits, so I'd recommend changing it if you could.

[@LaceyVandepol]

Peavey mart has 16 gauge

[@danielk8149]

Dude noone welds after galvanization it releases toxic gas

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Most of the cheap wire (like from hardware stores) comes welded after galvanization. It is very common.