Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 2, 2010 12:23:40 GMT -5
I've fond that the best use of funnels in cages (I have ferret Nation) for my brats is as follows:
1. Go to a crarft store and buy those 1-inch rings that are most commonly used as key rings. These are those rings that you pry open and slide your keys onto (and inevitably chip/break your fingernails ). You can find these in the jewelry supplies section at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. (Walmart/K-mart, etc. may carry these items- possibly even Lowe's/hardware supply stores??? - not sure)
2. Buy enough rings for EACH "attachment tab" (these are the little "ears" that stick out of the rings for hanging the tunnels). There are two tabs per ring.
3. Buy enough of those little clips (I just get those cheap, simple lanyard hooks) ONE hole in each of the plastic rings. This will be HALF the number of rings you need. (typically, both the rings and clips are sold in little packets) Buy the LARGEST size lanyard hooks you can find. They have to be big enough such that the small end of the clip fits on the ring. The larger sizes are hard to find, but they are easier to hang. Just make sure the small end of the lanyard hook is big enough to hold the rings.
4. Put one key ring on each of the plastic attachment tabs, (2 per plastic tunnel ring).
5. Place one lanyard hook on one metal split ring per plastic fun-nel ring. (each PLASTIC fun-nel ring will have a ring on one tab and a "ring-plus-clip" on the other.)
6. When assembling the tunnels, position the rings on the tunnels such that attachment tabs are located VERTICALLY relative to each other with the lanyard clips on TOP. The tube ring will cage ceiling with ONE clip. The opposite tab will face the floor and provide a ring from which you can hang bedding ) ALSO, you want the tube seams (where the tunnel halves snap together to form the actual tube shape) to be positioned HORIZONTALLY . This is stronger than having the seams located at the tops and bottoms of the tubes, and toe nails cannot get caught in the seams - unless your ferret is Koda - he can do anything!!!
Note - At one time, I had the tubes hanging using BOTH attachment tabs per plastic ring - it was a FLAMING NIGHTMARE to hang and the installation was problematic. NOW - I commonly have 17 pounds of wiggling brat flesh in my tunnels (all at the same time). I've never had problems with my installation using the single-hook method with the tube seams positioned horizontally.
Another note: depending on the size of your cage and cage door, the tubes may need to be assembled in partial sections outside the cage, or they may need to be assembled entirely inside the cage .
Either way, you want to put the split rings and lanyard clips on the plastic funnels tubes BEFORE those plastic funnels rings go into the age. and you want those lanyard clips on TOP when you assemble the tunnels!
7. Hang the Funnels from the "CEILING" of the TOP floor of the cage . This will provide more locations for placing hooks than hanging the tubes under the shelves. Plus, the top level of the cage does not have floor pans above it to hamper attachment of the hooks.
Good luck, and please let me know if something does not make sense. (I don't tend to proof-read because I'm alreays rushing around like an idiot - plus I get lazy
-jennifer
1. Go to a crarft store and buy those 1-inch rings that are most commonly used as key rings. These are those rings that you pry open and slide your keys onto (and inevitably chip/break your fingernails ). You can find these in the jewelry supplies section at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. (Walmart/K-mart, etc. may carry these items- possibly even Lowe's/hardware supply stores??? - not sure)
2. Buy enough rings for EACH "attachment tab" (these are the little "ears" that stick out of the rings for hanging the tunnels). There are two tabs per ring.
3. Buy enough of those little clips (I just get those cheap, simple lanyard hooks) ONE hole in each of the plastic rings. This will be HALF the number of rings you need. (typically, both the rings and clips are sold in little packets) Buy the LARGEST size lanyard hooks you can find. They have to be big enough such that the small end of the clip fits on the ring. The larger sizes are hard to find, but they are easier to hang. Just make sure the small end of the lanyard hook is big enough to hold the rings.
4. Put one key ring on each of the plastic attachment tabs, (2 per plastic tunnel ring).
5. Place one lanyard hook on one metal split ring per plastic fun-nel ring. (each PLASTIC fun-nel ring will have a ring on one tab and a "ring-plus-clip" on the other.)
6. When assembling the tunnels, position the rings on the tunnels such that attachment tabs are located VERTICALLY relative to each other with the lanyard clips on TOP. The tube ring will cage ceiling with ONE clip. The opposite tab will face the floor and provide a ring from which you can hang bedding ) ALSO, you want the tube seams (where the tunnel halves snap together to form the actual tube shape) to be positioned HORIZONTALLY . This is stronger than having the seams located at the tops and bottoms of the tubes, and toe nails cannot get caught in the seams - unless your ferret is Koda - he can do anything!!!
Note - At one time, I had the tubes hanging using BOTH attachment tabs per plastic ring - it was a FLAMING NIGHTMARE to hang and the installation was problematic. NOW - I commonly have 17 pounds of wiggling brat flesh in my tunnels (all at the same time). I've never had problems with my installation using the single-hook method with the tube seams positioned horizontally.
Another note: depending on the size of your cage and cage door, the tubes may need to be assembled in partial sections outside the cage, or they may need to be assembled entirely inside the cage .
Either way, you want to put the split rings and lanyard clips on the plastic funnels tubes BEFORE those plastic funnels rings go into the age. and you want those lanyard clips on TOP when you assemble the tunnels!
7. Hang the Funnels from the "CEILING" of the TOP floor of the cage . This will provide more locations for placing hooks than hanging the tubes under the shelves. Plus, the top level of the cage does not have floor pans above it to hamper attachment of the hooks.
Good luck, and please let me know if something does not make sense. (I don't tend to proof-read because I'm alreays rushing around like an idiot - plus I get lazy
-jennifer