Wire Mesh Material

[Valisa]

 As I cannot find nic cubes without having to pay a huge amount of postage, I decided to see what else I could find. I went to Bunnings today and found these http://www.bunnings.com.au/products…e=products. The label shows a digram of the wire-steel core, galvanised coating and then a plastic layer.  It said it was ideal for pets, however I know that even if something says it’s safe, it’s possible that it isn’t safe, so I thought I’d ask your advice Would this be safe for my rabbits?

[MoveDiagonally]

Hm… While I don’t see anything wrong with them safety wise I think it might get expensive. Here is a cost break down of sorts.

The minimum recommended size for a single rabbit is 61cm X 122cm. These particular panels are 60cm X 90cm. To make a pen that’s 60cm X 120cm (just under the minimum) you would need 6 panels. That would cost you about $101.64.

Here is the place BunnyGirl mentioned on your last post for NIC Panels:
http://www.sunriseimports.com.au/shop/display-racks-c-8_1855_796/1set-x-4-white-stacking-wire-cube-storage-rack-disw227-p-47051.html
It looks like there is 14 in each set and you would need at least 2 sets to make the minimum recommended size. (3 X 2 cubes). So that would cost about $96 + shipping.

A dog X-Pen would be 2 times bigger than both these options and would likely cost half as much.

[Valisa]

Where would I find x pens. The ones in pet stores seem very expensive… Also how would I convert a x pen into a multi storey cage? Are the panels detachable?

[MoveDiagonally]

You can find usually find them at pet stores, etc.. But I don’t live in Australia so you’d probably have to call around. I found this one online:
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/octagonal-animal-playpen-cover-196cm-diameter/

I don’t think I would try to make a multi-level rabbit home out of an x-pen. But they can just live in the pens:

(pic found online)

If you check out the habitat section you can see a lot more x-pen set ups:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/GreatHabitats/tabid/229/Default.aspx

If you used the panels you posted to make a multi level cage you would actually need 8 not 6 (two more for a roof). So that would bring you up to about $132.52. So If you have your heart set on making a multi level cage your cheaper option is going to be ordering NIC from the Sunrise Imports website.

[Valisa]

I don’t really have the floor space to have the x pen set up, that’s why I was hoping to make it multi levelled. I just wish they sold cheaper NIC cubes here

[MoveDiagonally]

The Sunrise Export NIC are going to be cheaper than the mesh panels.

You would need 2 sets to make a 3 grids long x 2 grids wide x 2 grids high. That’s the smallest that you should probably go as it would come out to the minimum.

How much room do you have for a bunny cage?

[Valisa]

I have room for a 2x4x4 nic condo. Would this be enough space for two rabbits?

[MoveDiagonally]

I generally don’t like counting up to meet the minimum requirements but if they still had plenty of out of cage time that would probably be fine.

For you to make that out of NIC you would need at least 56 grids (more if you want to use them for shelving support). You would need at least 4 of the sets from Sunrise Imports which would come out to $192 + shipping ($240 + shipping if you want to get an extra set for shelving).

Two rabbits need a lot of space. The minimum recommended size is 122 cm X 122 cm (the size of an x-pen fully extended). Do you already have the rabbits? If not, have you through about bringing home one instead of two?

[Valisa]

I haven’t got the rabbits already. I’d like to get two so that they had each other’s company while I was at school… I’ve read that it’s better to get two, rather than one, that’s all.

[MoveDiagonally]

One rabbit can do fine alone if they have plenty of human companionship. A bunny would probably be sleeping most of the day while you’re at school. The only reason I’m suggesting one rabbit is it seems like you have some limited space. The NIC is going to be an expensive way to go for a habitat of that size in Australia (from what I’ve heard from members there).

What you might want to do is make a new post (or edit the title of this one) with the subject “Housing Ideas : Australia” or something like that. I’m sure people that live over there (I’m in the US) might have a better idea of what’s available

[MoveDiagonally]

Another option for housing would be to build something. Is anyone in your family handy?

[Valisa]

The only spot the cage can go is inside my room (limited floor space) or outside-and that’s something I definitely don’t want.. My dad’s super handy He’ll definitely help me out, the only thing where having trouble finding is inexpensive wire mesh…

[Nibbles123]

 If you bunny proof your room you could have your bunny out for th day ( make sure you keep the door closed) and then at night he could live in an extra larg dog crate. Thats what i do with my two bunnies. You can also make levels in the crate because they are super dooper high. You can also put all your bunny products on top of the crate it will save space.

[MoveDiagonally]

Dog crates are a great solution for a single rabbit but even the largest ones aren’t usually big enough for two bunnies.

Valisa – If you’re dad it building you something than you don’t need the expensive mesh panels you posted. You can get rolls of cage wire at most hardware stores (not chicken wire). Maybe he could build you large indoor hutch.

Here are some examples of things people have built:
https://binkybunny.com/wp-content/uploads/converted_files/Portals/0/activeforums_Attach/003_MochasCageONE.jpg

These are simple designs but they would need ot be bigger:
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FU2/RVSM/GYR36D8I/FU2RVSMGYR36D8I.LARGE.jpg
http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FMJ/M7CZ/GYQFI5L2/FMJM7CZGYQFI5L2.LARGE.jpg

http://i551.photobucket.com/albums/ii463/djtobey_album/House%20Bunny/indoor-bunny-hutch-2.jpg

Etc…

Check out the habitat section under bunny info up above. There are a lot of cool habitats to give you inspiration.

[Valisa]

Alright, thanks for much for all your help! I’ll let you know what I decide to do and when the cage is done I’ll definitely post photos

[Beka27]

I locked the other thread you had started on this topic, “NIC Cubes”.

Valisa, it is fine for you to continue to update the same thread. Starting a new thread on the same topic (in this case “housing options available in Aus”) every day or every couple days makes it difficult for people to follow along with the story. The members won’t know what has already been suggested, what you’ve already tried, and what your thoughts have been on each option.

In the future, if you want, you can edit the subject line in your original post to show that there has been an update. For example, “NIC Cubes” could have been edited to say “UPDATE: Wire Mesh instead of NIC Cubes?”

[jerseygirl]

The wire mesh you can staple gun to wooden frame structure for a condo.
Bunnings Hardware do mini panels now (in garden section) which are more rigid.
I’ve used “garden waste storage cubes” to make pens before. I think the pack is 4 panels that are 100×90 cm each. Pack was $25 when I bought them. They’re sometimes in Storage section rather then Garden. I think they could be cut to fit a wood frame.

Check out second hand xpens too. Not to hard to clean them up. Either to dissemble and use in place of mesh or use as a pen. Pens are useful to have regardless.

[Valisa]

I’ll be having a look at Bunnings again today, I’ll let you know if I buy anything!

[Valisa]

I bought 4 wire panels today. They measure 90cm long by 60cm wide. I plan on making the condo, 135cm long and 90cm wide x 2 levels. One section of the condo will be a closed off wood area. So far that’s what my plan is.

[Deleted User]

To prevent some questions: 90 by 60 cm is 3 by 2 feet. Sorry, I’m not up to doing the rest of the math but thought this may help anyone (who has been spared the metric system) wanting to comment.

[Beka27]

Lol… yeah I always have to google the metric conversions to figure out all of your cm, kg, etc… (You crazy metric people! J/K!)

[Valisa]

Hehe! I have to so the exact same with inches and feet!

[Valisa]

I’m just a little bit concerned with the welding of the mesh. At each section where the wires cross there is blackish residue, that can chip off a little :/

[Beka27]

Can you post a pic, that might help us understand what you mean? I wonder if it’s something you can scrub off with a scrub brush before using?

[jerseygirl]

If the weld is coming apart where this stuff had chipped off I’d return them. They might be a faulty batch.

[Valisa]

I took some photos but when I went to upload them, the picture exceeded 500KB

[Author]

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