NIC Cages

[MrsWall]

Hi,

As some of you have read, I am new here and looking to get an English Lop. I've been looking into cages, specifically NIC cages, and have a few questions about them.

First, I have had these cubes before a while back. I used them as they were originally intended, and they weren't very sturdy. (They fell apart a lot.) I realize that I was using the connectors they came with, and for the cages zip ties should be used, however, I cannot understand how they are sturdy that way either. This may seem like a stupid view, but I'm hoping that some of you felt this way before you ever used it and discovered that they are actually sturdy for this purpose and can share with me how that's possible.

Also, how do you guys build shelves within them? What have you found to be them best way? I've seen quite a few with rods as support but I cannot comprehend how that can be sturdy either.

Thanks for your input.

 

[mouse_chalk]

Hello!

I was the same as you, I didn't think that NIC cages could be sturdy either. But, seeing everybody elses pictures, and not hearing tales of them all falling down, I figured I'd give it a go. I think the best option is to use the connectors AND cable ties, the cable ties stop all the panels disconnecting and falling apart, but the connectors help keep it in shape and make it even more sturdy. I have a 3-level NIC cage for 2 of our buns, Mouse and Chalk, and it's literally rock solid. You can shake the whole thing, move it, etc and I'd say it's sturdier than most Ikea furniture lol!

Here's a picture of their cage:

And I honestly can't believe I've just posted a picture of such mess! :embarrassed:They were halfway through being cleaned out lol...

R.e the shelves, I fix all mine in place with the connectors and cable ties in as many places as possible, then I cable tie a thick wooden dowel rod underneath across the whole length of the shelves, and that makes it really stable. Just make sure you get round dowelling as opposed to square or rectangular bits, as I find that they're a lot less bendy and sturdier! This is how Mouse and Chalk's shelving is fixed:

Their shelves have held both them (at 4/5lbs each) and 2 7.5lb bunnies, with no problems at all.

You could also fix in half shelves if you didn't want them as high, as a kind of half-step up. Our other 2 buns, Barney and Snowy, have this set up:

The front part I admit isn't probably as sturdy as the back, as it doesn't have the support on top like Mouse and Chalk's cage does, but it's still very solid, and the back, with the shelves is completely stable. The vertical panel holds the half-shelf in place and makes the other shelves really solid too. Plus it makes it easier for Snowy to jump up and down, as she can't see too well.

WOW, I've written the longest reply ever! Also, in the Photo Philes section, there's a couple of threads on NIC cages that should give you some inspiration too.

Hope some of that helps!

Jen xx

 

[XxMontanaxX]

Before Keiran was bonded to Macey, he had an NIC cage in the garage. It was actually very sturdy, as long as you put enough zip ties to support everything. I even had a shelf above his cage I built of NIC cubes and had all my bunnies stuff on it, and believe me, it was pretty heavy, but the panels had no trouble holding it, and it didn't even look like it was gonna break.

Here is a link to Katie's NIC cage tutorial.

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=28197&forum_id=17

 

[Flick]

If you'll go to

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/velvetlop/

you'll see some pictures showing how to use the zip ties to effectively hold the wire panels together so that they add stability to the condo. Instead of just wrapping them around, I made a kind of "figure 8". Also, on the walls where 4 panels meet, add a fifth panel in the center of the 4 for super stability.

I'd post the pictures here, if I knew how! :shock:

 

[delusional]

If they're tied together properly, NIC cages are very sturdy - I trust them more than my actual 'cage' cages.

To make the shorter shelves stronger, I've double layered the panels offset by half, like bricks. Keeps it perfectly straight. And other suggestions with wood and rods will work great for the longer shelves.

I seem to remember there was a video somewhere of someone picking up their NIC cage and showing how sturdy it was... but I can't remember who it was or what the thread was.. :?