Question:
I'm wondering where those of you who built cages got the mesh for the doors? I used the Home Depot stuff and one of the chins cut himself on it. Is there a better place to get it or should I be doing something to get those tiny little spurs off the mesh??
Keep in mind I live in Canada and don't want to be shipping stuff from the USA
Thanks...


Answer:
I don't have chins- but I use the same thing for Hamster and rat cages. If the edges are going to be exposed- yes- I tediously snip all the points off. OR- like I did in the rat cages where I was dealing with wood and not plastic- I covered the edges with 1/2 thick stripping using finishing nails. That was a lot faster than snipping all the edges.


Answer:
Another way is to staple to mesh to a frame and screw the frames together so the mesh is caught between.
I think I got a pic?
See all mesh is on the inside, with the frames butted together.
Other than that I too would recommend another strip to cover the edges.


Answer:
It's NOT the edges of the mesh I'm asking about, it's these little points on the squares of mesh...throughout the entire piece.
Maybe I just got a bad batch....hmmm...


Answer:
Hmmm... On the crosspoints where it is welded? I've never encountered any like that. Maybe you can sand it down? Would probably take forever and not be very effective. Is it the same on both sides?


Answer:
WE buy our wire in rolls from the feed store. After cutting the size we need using flush snips, we use a grinder to smooth the edges and then take the drummel and run down he wire to catch any loose or missed burs. For the most part we rarely run into the problem you are having. But it has come up a time or two. When we first started building cages we had a chin get hurt this way. So now to be sure we run over every piece to be safe. We have also switched from all wire cages, to melamine style cages.


Answer:
I've never had a problem with burrs in the mesh, just on the edges.
I use 1/4 squared mesh from any home supply shop.
I have used 1/2 inch, but have had a couple of chins get their teeth stuck in the squares while chewing at the door.
Maybe there is something wrong with the gear you bought.


Answer:
I guess I'll check out the hardware stores and see if they have anything better...otherwise I'll make a trip out to the feed store. I don't recall seeing any there last time I went for chicken feed....maybe they hide it somewhere.
Thanks for the help...
Is the 1/4" really better? I'm using half inch now and it bugs me. I hate not being able to poke my finger in to give them a scratch...


Answer:
1/4" is better for keeping the stuff in. When I had mostly wire cages, I used it and the mess was much better. Now that the cages are melamine on three sides, I use 1/2" in the front. The only thing I didn't like about the 1/4" was that it was hard to attach things to the cage without sniping some of the squares out. I had to make larger holes for the water bottles and food dishes.


Answer:
Yes that is a big draw back to making a cage.
I too like to scratch as I pass the cage, but with these I have to open the door.
Ya I do have to snip for the Water bottle, but for most other stuff I use wire, wood block and screws, or screws and washers to attach things.
Ya think you'd be able to buy the big chrome type cage material, like by the peice or something wouldn't you.
I saw a fella putting to gether a rabbit hutch at co-op the other day, and that's all it was, peices you put togther yourself.
They wanted 100.00 for it.They were nice though and stackable.
There is something to be said for those big bought cages, even with the price.