Show Me Your Runs/Colony Cages!

[Vyxxin]

SO, as some may have noticed I sold quite a few animals (my partners half of the herd) and am now working on revamping my herd. This includes cages and whatnot. It seems there isn't currently a great source for runs (except Ryerson) so I will likely be building my own.

With that in mind, I was hoping anyone using runs or colony cages (as I'm also considering a few) would post pictures. Maybe say where you purchased them (or the supplies to make them) and what you're able to do with them (such as modifications, or ability to accomodate "toys").

Thanks to any/all responses!

 

[RDZCRanch]

I have cages that I recently bought. They were originally made by Furball ranch to fit around a bunch of extra pans they had. I really like them because they're all metal (very important because out here in the desert the wood holds in heat) and I have plenty of space inside of them for hanging whatever I want. Rod Read built these from the bottom up, so each 24 cage unit is one, big, heavy, obnoxious piece. I put them on wheels recently so that I can move them around and I'm fixing up the pans before moving the rest of my chins into that room.

 

[Vyxxin]

NICE! Really like them, can you tell me...is the metal preforated to allow attachment of the wire or is it riveted, or? I'm handy enough, but generally like having an "example," something to go by That really is similar to what I'm trying to go with...I want to move onto solid bottoms but do not like the Ryerson runs...for several reasons specific to my herd and set up. OH, here's something...for the solid bottom crew what do you line pans with?

 

[chinsNdobermans]

I have an all-metal run that I really like. I only have one, and the rest are the Ryerson-style, but I'm hoping to buy another one from my friend later this year. The woman who made them doesn't do chins anymore so there are only a couple in existence, which is a bummer. It's a 4-hole setup with a bigger cage, really nice.

I'll have to see if I have any pictures, or take one if I don't.

I use pine, always.

 

[RDZCRanch]

I'll try to get you a picture of the sides when I get home this weekend. I'll try to explain how they are put together but it can be rather confusing unless you're looking at them in person. Rod built them from the ground up so the wire for each hole is connected, there's one big solid piece of metal wire that makes up the back of the run set. He then had each divider for each hole made separately with holes around the edges to attach to the wire with little o-rings. The only problem I have with them is that he designed them to hook up to each other, so all but one of the run sets is missing paneling on one side. I fixed it with wire already (which you can't see in the pictures I posted from a couple weeks ago) but would have preferred the metal paneling on each side.

For ANY pans, if you want to extend their life you need to put some initial work into them. I've been scrubbing mine with a wire brush and then painting with a metal (stop rust) primer and then painting over the primer with a stop rust enamel.

 

[Vyxxin]

I can picture what you're saying I've owned several cage varieties from other ranchers including Ryerson, Woods, and Hykes...as far as pan preservation, good tip!

Also, I know what stuff is SAFE to line pans with (such as pine) but what do places with large amounts of chins use? I know pine is cheap so it's probbly practical

 

[Megan]

My guys are on pine. It's safe, easy to use, and easy to clean.

 

[RDZCRanch]

I use pine for my bedding since it's cheap and absorbs odors and urine better than other shavings for larger amounts of animals or at least that's what I've noticed. La Paloma has about 4,000 or so chinchillas (probably more now) and they use pine shavings only.

I do know some ranchers that have tried using just pine pellets, but the pans get very heavy and it does not absorb nearly as well as they wanted it to. I know another rancher as well that used just dust for the bedding and would sift it every couple weeks, but if I remember right it caused some issues with dirty bellies because the urine would just soak into the fur.

 

[Vyxxin]

Bump! More pictures? I need a broad range of ideas!

 

[KissThis]

Pine works well and is pretty cheap, especially if you buy the horse bedding instead of the stuff packaged specifically for small pets. I usually get the bags that expand to 12 cu. ft. of shavings for ~$8 a bag and each bag usually lasts me through at least 2 cleaning cycles where every cage is clean. I have ~40 animals, so that gives you some idea. The other nice thing with using the pine horse shavings is that the quality is more consistent, since horse people tend to be pretty picky and have more sway than chinchilla people do.

 

[Spoof]

Both Ronda and I use pelleted pine. It makes a big difference in barn odor, they key is to not fill the pan. If you look at the pictures on her sale thread I think you can see how much she uses in some of them. Haven't had any issues with pen staining.

That said, I'm having the same dilemma you are with not being able to find a run supplier. I built some runs out of shelving units and those worked great - but in two years the urine ate through the ceilings from females spraying. I'd have never considered that. So last fall I built a new breeding run.

I ran into a few problems; I could find no 1 x 1/2" wire at any stores, no Melamine, no pressboard, very limited on what type of plywood was available. I picked the smoothest 1/4" I could find.

Ronda shipped me down old recycled doors so I could make do with the wire I had from the old cage.

Things I would change - I'd run wire partially down the back and sides to promote ventilation. I'd also use melamine or some other urine resistant wood. I did treat it with polyurethane, the chins do not bother it. I would like to use pans - I have found a local company to make me three prong collars, and we talked about pans. They would run $23 each (ouch!). They are not a necessity as I clean with a shop vac so I haven't bought any. In any cage setup the pans are the most expensive thing - which is why Rod built an entire unit around spare pans!

I did put it on a caster board - each cage unit is 4' across and 15" high so stacked together they are very heavy, but easily manageable by one person.

I'd love to pick up some of Ronda's spares, but shipping is asinine. I'm more and more tempted. Hers are over 60 years old and have almost no rust - mine were destroyed in two years. Says something about quality eh?

 

[Vyxxin]

I know what you mean there, I have "runs" that we got from a retiring rancher...8yrs ago when WE first got in and he told us the'd been setting for around 10yrs when we bought them. Cleaned them up...and the actual WIRE had no rust...none...and not showing any signs of wear. Pans for them have rotted through, WIRE latches have rusted through...but the cage fram is SOLID! They're individual units with runs in the back that can be put together to make individually sized "runs". I like them, wish I had more of 'em...but...

I can get 1"x1/2" at the local Lowes but it's 16ga not 14ga like I prefer. It's probably also gal. before (not after) weld so not durable Because rust is becoming a major issue...we will HAVE to replace our runs within a year...so I priced everything...and it'll be about $100-110/run. Not BAD, not GOOD either...but it's a must so it'll have to be. The pan sizes I need can be custom ordered (or used to be able to be) from Klubertanz for around $9/ea

I'm half tempted to see if there's any interest in them...if I'm gonna make 'em anyhow LOL! Someone's gotta start making runs that are all metal/wire for less than $250/4holes!

 

[Sycamore Chins]

Wow, we use 16 ga. and galvanized before welded, and have never had any problems. Our oldest cages that we've made are probably only 6 or 7 years old so far, but they're still going strong. We've got them stacked up and don't have any problem with bowing or rust.

I'm looking to build some 3 hole grower cages, all metal, with perforated metal dividers. I think they'll cost me ~$90 not including my time.

 

[Vyxxin]

I like to "over do it" with building stuff I've built many a chin cages and chicken coops...and mink pens...etc...etc...etc... LOL! So I have the "win or go home" attitude I go very heavy, though probably NOT necessary...however I cannot find the 1"x1/2" 16ga in the height that I want anyhow so it's not a big deal...and welding is preference I think but I prefer after as it is SUPPOSED to last long and I HAVE had issues with the before welds coming undone before

The $100-110 range was for 4-holes WITH runs (and jumps) with wire dividers and solid metal bottoms. Do you have pics of your runs? Or even holding cages?

If ANYONE has pics of ANY runs (or even colony cages) I'm open to ideas! I want a broad spectrum of ideas to choose from (or modify to my liking) I'm even considering "run on front" designs so please...post pics!

 

[Ash]

Vyxxin, how far are you from Lancaster county? Martin's Cages will do custom cages and may be open to doing runs if you have a design to work with.

 

[Vyxxin]

Lancaster's a few hours...but possibly worth the trip...maybe I'll check into Martins...thanks for the tip! Anything to save my hands the abuse

 

[Ash]

No problem! Keith asked if they do runs the last time he was there to pick up a cage for me, even though he doesn't like runs. I'm sure if you have a design, they can work with you. I love dealing with them.

 

[Vyxxin]

I think there'd be a pretty decent market for someone who could produce a reasonably priced ($100+/-) runs with the only real option currently being Ryerson runs. They're a good run (obviously) BUT not for everyone. I like better airflow and sanitation of my runs...I like better lighting without the need to arrange the lights specially...

 

[Vyxxin]

Bump! anyone else want to contribute run designs? I know some out there have the runs on the front...input on how this works, if there are access doors to the run...etc?

 

[poetrue]

Hi Ange,

I currently have a few custom runs and am in the process of making more with a few adjustments. Mine are all 1x1/2 wire in 14ga which I got from either bass equipment or kw cages, I can't remember which had better pricing, but they both sold wire by the roll or half roll and have both galvanized before and after weld wire.

The first set of runs dimensions:
H 24" x W 24" x D 14"
There are 2 wire shelves inside
pull out tray
The run is 5.5 x 5.5 and is attached to the front lower portion of the cage.

Second set of runs dimensions:
H 24" x W 24.5" x D 18.5"
The run is 5.5 x 5.5 and on the lower front inside the cage.
2 wooden shelves

For the second set of runs I'm making these myself and altered the dimensions of the cage so that I won't have to buy custom sized pans, but can instead get a standard 18x24 pan. In addition I hated the fact that the runs I bought had the run itself attached onto the outside of the cage, which meant that all droppings and urine went directly onto the floor or the chins in the run underneath. I also have a lot of already paired chins, so I'm making these runs big enough to house 2 paired females so that I can have 1 male run up to 6 females if I so choose.

I'll try and get some pictures of the runs I bought and the runs I'm in the process of making!

Also for anyone that has any good tips on where to get cage pans, I'd be happy to listen! Even a standard size pan costs about $14-16 with shipping!

Cheryl