DIY Wire Animal Cage
DIY Wire Animal Cage
Many small pets must be confined in a wire cage for safety. Hamsters, rabbits, mice, rats and iguanas fall into this category. Although pet stores and other retailers sell standard wire pet cages, you may have reasons for wanting a custom size. The reason may be that you need a larger cage than what is available or the number of pets you have makes the cost prohibitive. If you do not want to buy a prefabricated animal cage, you can make your own with supplies and tools from a hardware store or home improvement center.
Instructions
1 Buy wire mesh screening that is welded and has been galvanized after it was welded. Choose mesh with holes small enough so that your pet will not escape. If you raise babies, make sure the holes are small enough to contain them as well. The wire mesh for the cage floor should have smaller holes than the sides to make it more comfortable for your pet’s feet.
2 Cut two rectangles of mesh of the same size for the front and back of the cage, using wire cutters. Cut two more of equal size for the sides. Cut a piece for the top and cut a piece of cage floor wire to match it for the bottom. Snip off all protruding wires so the pieces have smooth edges.
3 Cut a piece out of one end of the front mesh for a door opening. Leave a few inches of mesh around the opening. Cut the wires so that the edges of the door opening are smooth. Cut another piece of wire mesh, again with smooth edges, that is 2 inches taller and 1 inch wider than the door opening. This is the door.
4 Assemble the cage, except for the door, on a workbench. Turn the floor mesh so that the smoothest side is on top. This position is more comfortable for your animal.
5 Slide a J-clip into a pair of J-clip pliers, and insert the end of the pliers into the cage at one corner. Hook the J-clip around the wires at the edges of the mesh pieces that meet there. Squeeze the pliers until the J-clip is crimped closed, thus connecting the mesh pieces.
6 Work your way around all the cage seams, crimping the mesh pieces together at the edges with J-clips every 2 inches or so.
7 Center the door over the door opening with a 1-inch overlap at the top and bottom. Match the door piece to the opening’s edge on the hinge side. It will overlap on the other side by 1 inch. Crimp the hinge side of the door to the cage with two J-clips at the top corner, one in the middle and another two near the bottom.
8 Crimp a wire cage latch to the door with J-clips. Position it to make sure it keeps the door closed effectively.
