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Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 31, 2009 11:53:55 GMT -5
I just read this, and I thought it was a great idea. Ed Lipinski posted this idea on the FML. He has a better description than what I described below on the FML if you need more details.
Create a "tube segment" by cutting the ends off of the 2 liter plastic soda pop bottles. Be sure to leave a bit of inward curve at one end of each tube segment. Nest the curved end of one tube segment into the wider, uncurved end of the the next tube segment. Tape the intersection where tube segments meet (clear packaging tape would work great for this.) tape the entrance edges with masking tape so the ferrets can see the entrance points which would otherwise be difficult to see. I suspect that the Bottom of the bottle is sturdier than the top, so I would try leaving the "inward curve" at the bottom of the bottle to build a stronger tube. Ed may have described the details in his post on the FML. I just skimmed the basics for this project.
This would be a great project for those who are already buying products that come in those 2-liter bottles!
-jennifer
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Post by Chelsea on Jan 1, 2010 8:43:02 GMT -5
Thats a really good idea. I'd do it if my ferret room wasnt already filled with clear plastic tunnels (I think I have 4 or 5 of them) Theres no way I could fit anymore lol I already trip on them all the time, no need for more
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nibblesandspazz
Going Natural
Forum Artist Extraordinaire[/color]
Posts: 165
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Post by nibblesandspazz on Jan 1, 2010 14:50:11 GMT -5
The soda bottle idea is good. I've done it a few times and it works great for my girls. I have ran into the issue of my boy laying on top of the soda tubes and crushing them. Maybe he's just a weirdo but because of him I figured out some sturdier free tubes. Unfortunately they arent clear.
Orange juice cartons are wonderful for making sturdy tubes. Cut the bottoms off, then cut the tops off. On one end cut a small straight lines down the corners of the carton. slide the end with the cut corners over another carton and tape.
this method also works with soda can boxes but is not as sturdy
Another "free tube " idea is to use oatmeal containers. Take the lid off and cut the bottom off . On the side that was the bottom, cut four 1/4 inch straight lines around edge. Next push the sections between the niches outward to make that side of the tube larger. then slide that end over another oatmeal container and tape around the connecting point.
you can use carpet tubes the same way you use oatmeal containers but the niches need to be longer.
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Post by Heather on Jan 1, 2010 15:17:23 GMT -5
Carpet tubes are awesome. I've got a couple of those. It's funny to hear them running along them. I just wish I could see them I'm going to try that idea with the 2 liter soda bottles. I've got a whole bunch of them right now. Could you double check Ed's post to see if there are any other hints about this (I'm not on FML). My guys clear tube is done in and paying $40 for another just isn't in the budget at the moment. Thanks so much ciao
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Post by spiritualtramp on Jan 1, 2010 17:05:25 GMT -5
I use oatmeal containers! They make great tunnels. One woman's trash is treasure to a whole business of ferrets
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 2, 2010 2:16:18 GMT -5
Here you go, Heather! A direct copy.
*Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:37:21 -0800 From: "edwardlipinski@comcast.net" <edwardlipinski@COMCAST.NET> Subject: Homemade Penny Pincher Clear Floor Tube - Clever Ferret Run.
To All You Who Love Watching Ferrets Chasing Each Other on the Floor, This is for you.
1.) A new Tube Toy, easy to make and essentially Free to you. 12.30.2009.
2.) Edward Lipinski's accidental discovery offers exercise for ferrets and best of all, provides potential adopters of your rescued ferrets a time of Joy and Laughter, as they watch the scrambles of one or several ferrets scampering both inside and outside the tube, one pacing the other, side by side. All this is seen completely clearly through the transparent plastic tube walls.
3.) With the New Year's celebrations/parties almost here there will be available some, maybe many bottles of soda pop, ginger ale, orange juice, and colas of all kinds. These plastic bottles are the building blocks of what I'd like to call Pop Tubes.
4.) The pop tubes are 2 Liter(2Qt 3.6 Fluid ounces) in capacity and are thin walled, such that they can be cut easily with a razor blade and short scissors. The idea here is to cut off the bottom of the pop tube along the bottom of the circular reenforcement line.
5.) The top of the pop tube that carries the screw cap is to be cut off as well as the bottom. However, it is best to cut all around the top, maybe 2-inches down from the top, so the ojive portion can be pushed into the bottom of a second pop tube previously cut. The ojive is the surface of the top of the pop tube that circularly reduces in size to take the bottle screw stopper.
6.) Take your first two pop tubes and stuff the top of one of them - with the ojive - into the bottom of the second one, such that the two pop tubes become physically one two-piece clear tube. Next, tape onto the joint of the two pop tubes a strip of clear Scotch tape, taped along the longitudinal axis of the pop tubes, rather than circularly. I use two 2-inch lengths of tape. one on each side of the tube. Using just two strips of Scotch tape permits some limited adjustment of the tubes thereby allowing the construction of curved/circular pop tube layout. Use a lot of pop tubes.
7.) To help the scampering ferret, especially if he's being chased by a playmate, take a length of white masking tape and tape it around the two openings of the pop tube layout. This helps the chased ferret find the opening more quickly than would be the case otherwise.
8.) You will note that the ojive part of the pop tube is of smaller internal diameter than the rest of the pop tube. So the ojive cut is to be made low enough up on the pop tube (nearest the screw cap) to allow your largest ferret to get through the tubes layout without getting "stuck" in the area of the ojive. Also, you will note that the amount of ojive inserted will tend to act like a one way valve, permitting easily running through the tubes one way, but somewhat restricted running or backing up the opposite way.
9.) I've noted that some ferrets, when inside the pop tube will rotate themselves such that they appear to be scratching their backs by rolling against the edge of the ojive. So they seem to be enjoying themselves very much. After a few scratchings they sure get frisky.
10.) Edward Lipinski here hopes that you will want to make a pop tube layout for your scampering ferrets as a 2010 New Year gift. This suggestion to you may be quite worthwhile, especially if you are a penny pincher such as I.
Edward Lipinski Pet Food Producer Supremacist The Only Pre-digested Flesh/Veggie Diet in the World.*
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jan 2, 2010 16:10:00 GMT -5
Thanks,SherryLynne, for postig the actual write-up on how to make theses tunnels! We have all these great cadboard boxes at work - some make perfect tunnels (10 feet long). and since they're square, I stack the tunnels and tape them together to create a set of layered tunnels the zigzag back and forth on top of eachother - it takes up less room that way. I had beeter not get laid off fro this job - the free ferret toys are so outstanding tht my brats would be mad at me if I stopped bringing the toys home -jennifer
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Post by Heather on Jan 2, 2010 20:18:44 GMT -5
Thanks so much ciao
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Post by miasmyferret on Jul 14, 2010 13:26:09 GMT -5
where can i get the carpet tubes? would the carpet laying companys give them away for free or do you have to pay for them?
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 14, 2010 20:18:04 GMT -5
I'm thinking they'd just give them out. Not sure, though
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Post by Heather on Jul 14, 2010 22:10:42 GMT -5
I just went to the local carpet distributor and asked for them. They look at you like you're crazy but that works too ciao
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