Tank(s) I got from driving through town on bulk trash pick up nights 100 ft in front of the trash truck. Freebie.
2x2's are cut down 2x4's so they are about half a 8 footer so $1.50 per lid for the wood.
1/8" screen wire was $20 for 25 feet, I can make 20 lids from this roll. So $1 for the screen.
food hopper was scrap 1/4" mesh I got from my dad. Freebie.
Walmart wheel $4
Walmart water bottle $2
bedding, standard pine $6/bag. so 10 cents maybe?
Mazuri 6f $24/50lb bag. 5 cents maybe
metal dish I use on occasion for treat seed $2 at Ace Hardware
scrap wood for chewing, toliet paper rolls and wire/staples, all scrap or reused trash or stuff I had laying around = Freebie.
just showing that I am cheap
and the hobby doesn't need to cost an arm and a leg
this setup costed under $11 without the asf's.