Wire Cages...

[Poulets De Cajun]

Does anyone build their own wire cages? I have the wire part down and can build a cage using "J" clips, but I am wondering how you make the aluminum trays that slide underneath.

Where do you get the aluminum sheeting? And how do you bend it along a straight line?

The only think I can think of is aluminum flashing that comes in rolls from Home Depot.

I am wanting to build some stackable cages like this, but need to figure out how to make the trays.

 

[orbirdman]

if your looking to bend metal along a length you need to find a metal shop that has a metal brake. its basically a machine that will make bends anywhere from 10*-180*. to do at home you need a vise that will hold a length of 2x4 long enough for the bend you are looking to make then lots of manual labor to bend it.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

That's the part that is hard. Most of these trays are done on metal presses at a factory or the plastic ones are molded. Look for galvanized sheet metal. Harbor Freight has some tools that will do this though. Often called a "Bending Brake". Never used one though.

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=Bending+brake&Submit=Go

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Thanks! I googled metal brakes or bending brakes and ended up finding a cage supply place.

I'm wondering if I could used premade a/c drip pans or something instead of going through all the trouble of gathering all the equipment.

 

[orbirdman]

all you need is a bench mounted vise that has enough room to hold a 2x4. i dont remember the formula but i think it works out that if you want to make a bend you also need to allow about 1/4 of metal if not using metal machinery to make the bend. if going the route of galvinized it should be super easy.

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

There is one place I found in Canada that makes them for rabbit cages maybe they will cut you a deal. They have a msg board too so maybe you can ask them some questions. Mostly a rabbit site.

http://www.grandviewrabbitry.com/trays.html



Maybe you can work something with the above vise idea.

 

[lilchick]

I have a few cages where the drip pan has rusted out.
I replaced with a piece of plywood cut to fit... Easy to slide out and clean up.

 

[needmorechickens!]

I don't know how to make the pans but have made several cages too.
PouletsDeCajun - what kind of wire do you use to make your cages? The last ones I made with hardware cloth and they were a bit too flimsy.
~Rebecca

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

I use the 1/2" x 1" welded wire.....

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I also used the 1/2" x 1" welded wire. My cage looks just like this one. I used hog rings to put the cage together.