NIC grids and shelves

[Otti]

 Hi everyone,

I’ve been thinking recently about changing Sammy’s pen to a pen made of nic grids, to make it a bit taller so that I can add shelves inside, and also so that it’ll be hopefully heavier and harder for him to move around.

In my search for nic grids, I discovered that Staples sells packs of 10 of the grids for $12.99, and that you can get them shipped for free to any Staples store. Here’s a link:

ffice_Suppliesisplay_Racks_%26_Fixtures:718546:30101″>http://www.staples.com/White-Mini-Wire-Grid-Display/product_718546?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-Shopping-_-Office_Supplies%3EDisplay_Racks_%26_Fixtures-_-718546-30101&cid=CSE:GoogleBaseffice_Suppliesisplay_Racks_%26_Fixtures:718546:30101

They’re 14×14 so I assume they’re the same ones as the target or walmart shelf packs right?

A store display website also seems to sell them for $1 a piece, which would be nice to avoid ordering more than you need. Not sure what they’re shipping costs are like.

http://www.storesupply.com/showprod…iva%20Feed

Just thought I’d share since people are always talking about making condos.

 

The other thing I’ve been thinking about is the absolute easiest way for me to make Sammy a couple extra areas in his future pen where he’d be able to jump up and have more height to move around in, without having to make an actual condo.

I’m thinking of buying these shelves from the Container Store or another store of that type, like ones that are meant to be placed in cabinets etc. to maximize storage space. Here’s an example:

http://www.containerstore.com/shop?…;Ntt=shelf

These ones have a mesh top, so they would distribute weight more evenly than grid type ones… I’d definitely also line them probably with towels. I’d probably go for the 19 by 12 one and maybe buy multiple.

Do you guys think they’d work? I thought of essentially making a rearrangeable ledge in the pen out of them.

[Bumblebunny]

In the LA area Bed Bath and Beyond sells the grids. I think they might be a little cheaper than Staples ( more in a package) and they offer gray, black, and white. I have a 3 grid by 3 grid by 3 high condo with three levels and a ramp between the upper levels. Bumblebunny is a three pound bun and has never tried to jump out. Two of the upper level sides are held up by strong binder clips so I can fold them down for easy cleaning. The rest is held together by electric cable ties The levels are supported by 1 x 1 pieces of wood and to make the whole thing stronger I have attached a piece of 1 x 1 to each side. I think there are some example in the bunny housing section of the website. Good Luck with the project

[Otti]

Hi Bumblebunny, Thanks for the info on the bed bath and beyond grids. I guess they are comparably priced (the Staples grids cost 5 cents more per grid). I looked online and the online Bed Bath and Beyond store only has black grids as of right now. Not sure if in store they’d have more selection.

I’m not looking to make Sammy a condo. I personally don’t like the look of them and feel that a condo would look too cumbersome in my living room. I also don’t like how the shelves make the space more cramped vertically for the rabbits and make the space a bit darker. It varies from condo to condo but it is something I’ve noticed in many.

I’m happy with the pen setup but just wanted to add a shelf of some sort of Sammy to have one place he can jump up onto. I’m not huge on the wood-construction of anything (I prefer that wooden things arrive already made in my life lol) so I was looking for an easier and also more flexible option. Something I could put in the pen and take out and also move around at will. I’m going to test out the Container Store shelf to see if it can withstand his weight solidly etc.

Thanks for the advice!

[jerseygirl]

Hi Otti

I’m wondering if something like those wooden shoe racks might be more sturdy? Also, there are hidey homes that rabbits can jump onto the top or a second taller part. I’ll see if I can find a picture.

You’ve mentioned he’s been reshaping his pen? You could try making a base of NIC grids that sits on the floor, then zip tie it to the pen sides. Could you sit the foam mats on top of that or do these extend out further then the perimeter of his pen?

Another way I’ve heard to make the pen more stable is to zip tie just single grids at the corners and over where each panel joins. That might be a simpler way.

[nugget]

I actually just ordered 20 grids (along with a wire rack and some other misc stuff) from the store supply warehouse….it was $16.99 for shipping.

One thing to watch out for with those stackable shelves….I do believe most of them are coated with plastic, if you cut (or chew) a spot it will peel off.

[nugget]

my grids from store supply just arrived today. They seem to have a plastic coating on them, which worries me…..not to sure what to do.

[jerseygirl]

Nugget, if you’re worried Oliiver might take to chewing on the grids, you could cover the 1st row (or 1st two rows) of grids on the inside of the condo with something like flywire.

[Otti]

Nugget, are they painted or do they have a plastic coating? My rabbit pen is meant for small animals and it’s white, but if Sammy chews on it for a while, just like rabbit cages, the pain comes off… I’m guessing it’s fine though since it’s meant for rabbits and he only does it a little.

I ended up buying one of the stacking shelves from the Container Store for Sammy’s pen. I wanted something small enough that it wouldn’t get too close to the sides of the pen, allowing him to use it as a step to jump over. I put a towel on top and he seems to really like it. He loves being up high so I’ve seen him sitting up there quite a bit and also investigation under. I’ll try to get a pic today or tomorrow and post

[nugget]

its a plastic coating. I was able to cut into the corner of one and expose the metal underneath. I think I will find something to cover the bottom grids with as jersey suggested. I had ordered some 14×14 acrylic panels also, with the intention of attaching them to the grids behind the hay rack to keep the mess in. He hasn’t been much of a bar chewer in his current cage though….hopefully he won’t start.

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