NIC grid

[Nina]

I always planned on using NIC grids to make a cage for my bunny, but an old friend just told me. She used those same grids has shelving in college and tgat theu weren’t very sturdy. I always thought they were supposed to be good? Was I wrong? Would o need to reinforce them? Or is there a better material to use?

[Wick & Fable]

Using zipties to reinforce and help distribute weight is needed. You can’t just only use the joints you get with it. If an above-ground floor doesn’t have that much support from being against the walls, some people attach wood planks across to give extra support.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Nina]

Ok, was planning to use zipties for keeping it secure. Glad they have will double as reinforcement and thank you for the advice with the wood planks as well. Will look into safe wood types, before going back to making a blueprint design.

Do you have experience with NIC grids? How wide do you think they are secure? Any other general advice?

[Nina]

Ok, was planning to use zipties for keeping it secure. Glad they have will double as reinforcement and thank you for the advice with the wood planks as well. Will look into safe wood types, before going back to making a blueprint design.

Do you have experience with NIC grids? How wide do you think they are secure? Any other general advice?

[Azerane]

My NIC condo is 2×5 and 4 grids high. Along the 5 grid length I have a support under the second level, and also one under the roof. Otherwise it’s completely self supporting. My pair jump, run around and binky in their condo and it’s nice and sturdy. It’s all held together with cable ties.

[Nina]

thanks! That’s super good to hear! Even more so because your babies sound like they live it alot!

[Vienna Blue in France]

Ditto to Azeranes post as I copied her design !!!!

But I must say that even when putting it together with the zip ties I was very sceptical as to how exactly it would become a solid object as all the grids tied together were all floppy!!!
But with the wooden floor between the first and second floors it all came together and it is as solid as a rock as I have two 6kg buns bouncing up and down, no problems.

[Elvis Monroe]

The connectors are a pain. We had a few major problems with our cage using connectors alone. Definitely get rid of those all together or use zip ties! Elvi loves to explore and got under the barley sturdy area at the worst time when we first got him. We were so new to rabbits that my husband didn’t know how to pick him up. We were able to switch spots carefully so I could be on Elvi safety duty while he was holding it up. I was so scared!

[Vienna Blue in France]

PS : Just zip ties. Not the bulky connectors provided with the grids.
No connectors make it look ‘slicker’… imho!

And erm zip ties – hundreds of them. Literally. I can’t remember… did i use 500?

You should use two per grid in the corner joins in diagonal direction and two or three along each side join, horizontally AND vertically, to make it sturdy.

For a ‘smart’ finish use black ties if you have black grids or transparent ones if you have white grids.

[cklane]

Would you mind sharing a current picture of your condo?

 I too am looking to build a condo. Currently have a large dog crate but very interested in the condo idea.  

[Nina]

Posted By cklane on 6/02/2018 10:32 PM

Would you mind sharing a current picture of your condo?

 I too am looking to build a condo. Currently have a large dog crate but very interested in the condo idea.  

Oh, I don’t have the condo set up yet. Just the idea and blueprints for it. I was about to order the material needed for the condo. When my friend said that.

I am can show the blue prints if you want?

If anyone else wants to share their condo thay would be nice if then too.

Otherwise, thank you everyone for the help!!! I’ll go get the wood I’ll need here soon and buy the right colored zipties. Soon as I buy the NIC grids

[Vienna Blue in France]

I set up a thread charting the construction of my condo last year.
I can’t put a link here (I’m useless) but if you click on my name and “threads started” you can see “Zou and Henry’s love whack” thread.

[Vienna Blue in France]

* love shack !!!!!!!!!
(I could have edited but “Love whack” is worth a chuckle !!!)

[Nina]

Your right Love whack is worth a chuckle!

[Author]

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