converting rabbit cages so eggs can roll to front

[veggiecanner]

We have commercially made rabbit cages, the wire is 14 gauge 2 in. (wide) x1 inch (tall).
I want to convert them so the eggs roll out the front for collection.
how high would I need to raise the floor wire in the back of the cage? The way I am looking the cage is it has to be either 1, 2, or 3 inches the way the cages are made now.

Also How do the breeders with huge cages collect the eggs. Can you train them to lay in boxes like chickens?

 

[James the Bald]

Veggie,
Is the wire on the floor 1" x 2"? The only reason I ask is that a quail egg will drop completely through the floor. The floor should be 1/2" hardware cloth. Quail will not lay in a box like a chicken, hence the angled flooring so the eggs will roll to the front of the cage. Generally, the angle should be 1:12. So, if the rabbit cage is 24" from back to front, the floor in the back will be 2" higher than in the front. You can use this to modify your cage.

 

[veggiecanner]

No the sides are the 1x2 wire The bottom wire is 1 x 1/2. It works real well or the quail waste and should be ok for the eggs.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Sycamore27]

I would love to see pictures once you have them modified. Sounds like something I would like to do in the future myself.
Cheers,
Jessie

 

[veggiecanner]

There wouldn't be that much difference. I would remove front panel ,bottom and urine guards.
I never cut the wire on my cages, just in case I want to change them back.
using the cage plyers I would reinstall the bottom at a slant. Put front back on so there is a gap where the eggs could roll out. then using scrap wire construct and install the egg catcher with nessesary supports , Including for the front of the floor.
I would put the urine guards back on but on the out side of the cage so small quail can't escape so easily.
We are wondering if this is a good idea though, it can't be good for the birds to be always walking at a slant.
We got our first egg this morning and she layed it in a nest box from a mini rabbit we put in the cage for them. So it may not be required to alter the cages.

 

[James the Bald]

She may never lay an egg in the same spot again. I could be wrong, because it happens frequently on a daily basis, but I just think you lucked out that time. Give it a day and see.

 

[Titansfan2104]

I have the gqf breeding cages and they work great. The next ones I make will be to those specs. They break the bank but are worth it if your short on time and cant make your pens on short notice