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Post by llhd1990 on Sept 22, 2010 6:58:44 GMT -5
I am wanting a digbox but unsure of what to use, i heard of the packing peanuts, but then biodegradable packing peanuts would be safer, Then i heard rice but i dunno how much rice i would need, I was thinking maybe just use his litter as it becuase when i put new litter down he rolls in it but then the problem he may think its a litter box. I was going to use a big plastic box and put something in it but unsure of what i should use.
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Post by sherrylynne on Sept 22, 2010 8:48:38 GMT -5
I vary between 10lbs of long grain rice, leaves, cornstarch packing peanuts(put one in water- it should dissolve), pingpong balls, plastic bags(cut the handles and only use under supervision), shredded paper. You can also use clothes/towels, basically anything you can think of!
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Post by Hails on Sept 22, 2010 9:50:28 GMT -5
I waited til after the Easter rush and loaded up on plastic eggs. I'll even hide the occasional treat in them (and mark the egg with a sharpie so I don't forget about it!) The eggs have holes in them so the ferrets can smell the treats but it takes them a while to pop them open.
I'm planning on letting them run around in the leaves one I rake up a big pile. Though I am a bit worried about bugs and spiders hiding in them.
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Post by bluemoose on Sept 22, 2010 9:53:59 GMT -5
My list of ideas, some of which I've tried and some of which I have yet to try:
Biodegradable Packing Peanuts
Ping Pong Balls
Long Grain Rice
Soil (baked in shallow layer at 300 degrees for an hour)
Shredded Paper
Sand
Large Beans
Balls of Paper
Easter Eggs
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Post by Heather on Sept 22, 2010 12:53:18 GMT -5
I use right now, rice, play sand, plastic balls (like the ones they put in the kids bouncing tents) and a drawer full of marbles (I haven't been able to find any of the cornstarch peanuts). Different feelings or sensations mean different sensations. Oh, they also have a container of crinkly type bags. Today they were playing with a 2 lasagna tins....they had a blast with those (noisy though :  ciao |
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Post by womby28 on Oct 11, 2010 14:58:19 GMT -5
So far I have just used balled and crumpled paper in a box. Also, one time Koda found a planter with soil in it and went nuts!! It was hilarious but messy  I love these ideas though I like to stay away from plastic and foam. So, what is this about baking the soil? What does that do and is it necessary? Do you have to give him a bath after? Thanks for the tips, friends! |
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Post by Heather on Oct 11, 2010 16:03:12 GMT -5
The baking of the soil is to destroy parasites and virus' that might be in the soil. I would be more concerned about various additives that are put in the soil now that are used to help the plants. You can buy bagged soil, just soil, no peat, no styrofoam, no pesticides, no fertilizers just soil. I just went out and bought some kids play sand and no I didn't bake it. It came in a 10lbs bag, that was sufficient to keep my guys relatively happy in the digging dpt. My guys play in the mud outside, I don't think there's much out there that isn't in the bag. Again it's all about what your comfortable.
ciao
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Post by bluemoose on Oct 11, 2010 16:09:29 GMT -5
I haven't actually tried the soil dig box but I saw that idea while reading through the enrichment threads and it was mentioned to bake the soil if you get it from outside.
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Post by kainslie on Oct 18, 2010 15:12:07 GMT -5
I have a question on the cornstarch packing peanuts, how long after you put them in water do they dissolve? Immedietly? or does it take a few minutes?
I'm trying to find some but it seems they ALL seem to take forever to start shirnking in water, but they do shrink.
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 18, 2010 16:38:09 GMT -5
They should start dissolving right away.
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Post by kainslie on Oct 18, 2010 16:49:17 GMT -5
arg, biodegratable ones are so hard to find.
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Post by sherrylynne on Oct 18, 2010 18:08:17 GMT -5
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Post by 1 on Oct 19, 2010 19:26:31 GMT -5
You know what this it? I'd put it in a dig box:). Attachments:
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Post by 1 on Oct 19, 2010 23:03:12 GMT -5
hears 2 ideas, a good idea and a stupid idea, the stupid idea is get 5 people a hair cut and put the left over hair in the dig box, keep an eye that they don't eat them and get blockage. But hears a good idea, after target practice any unusable shells, the shells only [glow=red,2,300]no bullets just shells!!![/glow] Put them in the dig box and as they are scooped out it will make a ringing sound. never know, maby ferrets like that  . |
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Post by josiesmom on Oct 21, 2010 11:52:33 GMT -5
watch the corn starch peanuts- they are sweet enough that some ferrets WILL just eat them. Yes, they dissolve but they usually are dyed green - and this makes for interesting and scarey deposits! Also the corn starch is NOT a good idea for insulinomic ferrets. I've used them in the past, but have eliminated them because I want to avoid starches in their diet.
My ferrets have access to multiple dig boxes:
Marbles, rice, plastic eggs, balls, shredded paper, fake leaves, thread tails, blankets and occasionally a swim bin!
Thread tails bin is ONLY allowed under direct supervision! Threads could pose an ingestion nightmare so ANY ferret with an inclination to chew is NOT allowed this bin.
A plastic wide three drawer bin (15.00 from Wal-Mart) houses some dig bins. Pulling the drawers out onto the floor gives the ferrets a great play space and offers a fairly compact space for storage.
Offering a drawer or two on different nights makes them think they've just discovered a new toy!
The rice is in an under bed bin that fits on the bottom of the ferret nation. A hole cut into the lid retains MOST of the rice and gives them privacy for their fun. Cut the bottom out of an oatmeal canister , bury it in the rice and they have a short tunnel to dig through, defend and wrestle over!
Regarding the suggestion of human hair and used shotgun or bullet casings:
I wouldn't!
Ferrets have enough issues with possible blockages from licking their own fur which is short and soft. Cut human hair will have a sharp end that can scratch eyes and depending on the length could wrap and twist a bowel.
Gun powder residue will be present on the spent shells. Often lead is used or antimony - neither of which needs to be part of your ferret's environment and can lead to problems for the eyes, lungs, heart, stomach! Not to mention the brain!
These problems can take a while to show up and the damages they cause won't be reversible.
Dig boxes are always fun for ferrets - use your imagination for the contents and keep your video camera nearby to capture the antics!
Cheers!
Kim
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I love these ideas though I like to stay away from plastic and foam.
