Wire for Release Cage?

[Rhapsody]

If one cannot buy Galvanized Wire at the moment what would be the next best wire to purchase for an outside released cage and best square size?

:thankyou

[jo_schmoe]

If one cannot buy Galvanized Wire at the moment what would be the next best wire to purchase for an outside released cage and best square size?

:thankyou
Not sure. What kind of squirrels are we talking here??

[Rhapsody]

Florida Grey Squirrels -

[jo_schmoe]

hmmm...they make an 18 or 16 gauge steel hardware cloth but not being galvanized it would rust. It should be strong enough....but they do chew it. My guys (foxers) chew right through the galvanized hardware cloth I have...so I would make sure whatever you find is non toxic..and wont rust and mainly strong enough. Sorry, I know its not much help...I will keep looking and see what I come up with. Hubby works as a welder/construction and has a few ideas....lemme pick his brain.

[Rhapsody]

OK - Thank you......... just asking to see.
IF we do not hear any thing by 12 noon tomorrow we are going with galvanized wire - hole size 1/2" x 1/2"

My husband and son started building the release cage Saturday..... Well, release cages (4 in 1) - w00t w00t.
I cant wait for the finish product. I am getting so excited!! I am taking pics from beginning to end - will post once its all done.

[stosh2010]

OK - Thank you......... just asking to see.
IF we do not hear any thing by 12 noon tomorrow we are going with galvanized wire - hole size 1/2" x 1/2"

My husband and son started building the release cage Saturday..... Well, release cages (4 in 1) - w00t w00t.
I cant wait for the finish product. I am getting so excited!! I am taking pics from beginning to end - will post once its all done.
Can't Wait...Can't Wait... Please show us the DONE-SO-FAR cage photos...

[Rhapsody]

Not much to show yet but the outer frame and two guys standing around holding wood while scratching their heads as to wonder - question what next (lol)...... oh yeah and a two year old granddaughter running around helping the best way she can SMILING :D - - - as I "the head Squammy" supervise. :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Kristal]

I have a cage built with 1"x1" square wire mesh, and at least two sites recommend that size for a release cage. Jackie in Tampa pointed out here that it could be dangerous if their legs get caught in it, though, so it is probably better to stick with the .5"x.5" mesh as she recommended. That would be stronger mesh, too. You can also move them in there when they are younger and smaller if you want to use it later for an indoor cage and have some active, young juvies that need the space, so that is an added benefit.

[Rescue04]

Well if it helps I build alot of cages. I mostly use 1X1 for the sides & top. I use 1/2X1/2 for the floors & ledges. What you can do to stiffen up the cage is to use 1X6 pine or cedar board as ledges or corners on the inside of the cage. I use sheet metal or wire frames for the bottom so that we can pull out and clean out the paper each day. can post some picks of our cages if you want for ideas.:beer

[Rhapsody]

OK - You asked for PICS - so PICS you will get.......

Release Cage: Step 1 - Frame Work

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1001.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1003.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1008.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1010.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1013.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1014.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1017.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1055.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1036.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1059.jpg

* * * * *

[jacey]

I use both 1/2" hardware cloth wire and also 1" welded wire on all of my cages. It depends on if you have alot of predators. At our release sites we use 1/2" due to that concern. I have heard conflicting opinions on the size of the wire with regards to injuries. I can't say which safer or better because I have used both for years with no problems.

[Rhapsody]

Well, I know we are going to use 1/2" galvanized wire as the outside wire (because there are 8 outside cats three houses down) and I do not want my little guys becoming prey to their claws when the cats go on the prowl at night...... other than that we are fairly safe.

Where would be the best place to purchased a roll of 4' by 100' galvanized wire at? - Lowes only had them in 4' x 10'
I am going to call Tractor Supply in the morning.

:thankyou

[mpetys]

Well, I know we are going to use 1/2" galvanized wire as the outside wire (because there are 8 outside cats three houses down) and I do not want my little guys becoming prey to their claws when the cats go on the prowl at night...... other than that we are fairly safe.

Where would be the best place to purchased a roll of 4' by 100' galvanized wire at? - Lowes only had them in 4' x 10'
I am going to call Tractor Supply in the morning.

:thankyou

I bought a 4' x 100' roll of 1/4" galvanized wire from an online source and it was around $80 plus shipping. They have a $100 minimum order so my husband added some other wire that he could use to bring it up to $100. I think shipping was less than $40.

I didn't check on the price of 1/2" at the time but wouldn't that be cheaper than the 1/4" wire? Less wire used. Anyhow, we are getting ready to order several rolls of the 1/2" rolls for our outdoor release cage.

I'll have to check with hubby and get the name and website of the company. I'll post that tomorrow. What does everyone else pay for this?

Michele

[mpetys]

I had some questions about your pictures. Is that some kind of kit that you used? And on the bottom of the posts, is that those concrete deck blocks (sorry I don't know what they are called). What are your dimensions?

Michele

[Rhapsody]

I had some questions about your pictures. Is that some kind of kit that you used? And on the bottom of the posts, is that those concrete deck blocks (sorry I don't know what they are called). What are your dimensions?

Michele


Yes, that is the bottom of a Pavilion kit that was donated to us by a truck driver who had two damaged boxes left over from a haul (therefore they were rejected) so between the two boxes we were able to come up with a base frame for the release cage.

We have a few more post and a center post to divide the 10x10x7 into 4 separate triangle shape cages..... 4 large sheets of flat grayish black plexiglas to use as the roof (we will put wire between the plexiglas and the squirrels to keep then from chewing on it). Each cage will have its own entrance door reinforced by some 2x4 and a higher up exit door for the squirrels to leave and come by.

And Yes - those are concrete deck like blocks the post are resting on to keep them from being water logged / damaged from bugs or termites.... we will be placing the galvanized wire under them as well.

[mpetys]

Yes, that is the bottom of a Pavilion kit that was donated to us by a truck driver who had two damaged boxes left over from a haul (therefore they were rejected) so between the two boxes we were able to come up with a base frame for the release cage.

We have a few more post and a center post to divide the 10x10x7 into 4 separate triangle shape cages..... 4 large sheets of flat grayish black plexiglas to use as the roof (we will put wire between the plexiglas and the squirrels to keep then from chewing on it). Each cage will have its own entrance door reinforced by some 2x4 and a higher up exit door for the squirrels to leave and come by.

And Yes - those are concrete deck like blocks the post are resting on to keep them from being water logged / damaged from bugs or termites.... we will be placing the galvanized wire under them as well.

I'll be anxious to see your finished product! I'm trying to envision the triangle shaped cages and I think you must be going to put a center post and then run walls from each corner post into the center post, is that correct?

I think we have our final plans for ours. Overall, it will be 20' wide by 10' deep by 8' tall. There is going to be one outer door and when you go in there, you will be in a 4' x 20' "hallway". Once you enter that, there will be four cages on the right, each with a door that opens into the "hallway". Each cage will be 5' wide by 6' deep. I wanted enough room in the "hallway" to put a park bench or two so I could hang out there if I wanted. I also plan on putting one or two of those Rubbermaid storage units out there to store clean bowls, fleece, nuts etc.

I can't wait til it is done. I think we have all the wood in. We are using cypress. I have three that are ready to go in there NOW! I will miss them but I can see how they will really enjoy the outdoors and freedom and I want that for them as soon as possible.

Michele

[Rhapsody]

I'll be anxious to see your finished product! I'm trying to envision the triangle shaped cages and I think you must be going to put a center post and then run walls from each corner post into the center post, is that correct?

YOU are 100% Correct....... :thumbsup :thumbsup

We will build our own Pretty Little Top for it once we make sure all is SAFE for the Squirrels.
I have a swing not far from where the release cage will be, so I will sit swing and watch.

Here is the SWING:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1023.jpg

And their very own Pine Tree w/ Pine Cones
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1030.jpg

[mpetys]

YOU are 100% Correct....... :thumbsup :thumbsup

We will build our own Pretty Little Top for it once we make sure all is SAFE for the Squirrels.
I have a swing not far from where the release cage will be, so I will sit swing and watch.

Here is the SWING:
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1023.jpg

And their very own Pine Tree w/ Pine Cones
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e116/Rhapsody_1/Release%20Cage/ReleaseCage_Step1030.jpg

I love your swing. I would love to have a swing that I could fall asleep on. Looks like you have a pretty nice size yard. We have 2.5 acres but no pine trees at all. Oaks, maples and cypress. I miss pine trees though.

[pappy1264]

Umm., what did you use for the frame? Is that that trex stuff? I don't think that is safe for squirrels, it has a weird coating on it.

[Rhapsody]

Umm., what did you use for the frame? Is that that trex stuff? I don't think that is safe for squirrels, it has a weird coating on it.

The wood will have galvanized wire wrapped around it to keep the squirrels from chewing on it - :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Rhapsody]

Any ideals on the best way to clean out the cage? - do most of you just go into the cage? I have released one squirrel before, but his release was done out of a very large macaw cage - so the separate outside release cage is a new area for me... wanting to learn all I can before my babies are put out there.

[pappy1264]

So, it is trex?

[pappy1264]

Can you do the double door like I did? The good thing about that, it is essentially another 'room', you can sort of corral them into it, and close off the main cage so you can really clean w/o them in there (esp. good if you have to clean out stashes.....they can't 'argue' with you!! lol)

[Rhapsody]

So, it is trex?
I am not sure what that is - I will have to check (the box is still outside).


Can you do the double door like I did?
Do you have a link to that example?

[Rhapsody]

So, it is trex?

I checked and No it is not Trex - it is Indonesian Hardwood with Polyurethane Finish.

[Rhapsody]

Gauge Question....... What thickness should we get?

.... it looks like Tractor Supply will have to order a roll of 4' x 100' galvanized wire 1/2" x 1/2" squares for use and they need to know what gauge thickness we want.

:dono :dono :dono

[Rhapsody]

I am really having a hard time locating my wire for the cage - - -> GAW 1/2" x 1/2" - 48" x 100 Ft
Where did the people that built their own cage get the wire from?

[Rhapsody]

B.U.M.P.

[jo_schmoe]

I found mine at our local lumber yard....but I doubt that is going to help you much since I live in the middle of Nowhere!
We used a hardware cloth 1/2 in by 1/2 in 18 gauge wire.
If I had to do it all again...I would use no less than a 16 gauge wire as they chew a hole in the wire big enough to get out in less than 3 days. Keep in mind I have fox squirrels...but I bet a grey squirrel could do just as much damage in just not as much time.
Hope this helps.

[Rhapsody]

If I had to do it all again...I would use no less than a 16 gauge wire as they chew a hole in the wire big enough to get out in less than 3 days.

My husband and I looked at wire thickness over the weekend at Tractor Supply and we had already decided nothing under 16 gauge - :thankyou

Now to find the wire in a roll bigger than 24" x 30 ft so we dont have to piece the four release cages together..... we are trying to find GAW 48" x 100ft @ 1/2" x 1/2" (or) 1/2" x 1" if we have to.