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Post by Jackie on Dec 14, 2010 23:03:53 GMT -5
So, I am planning on getting a bigger cage for my business of two (which has the potential of expanding ). Sometimes school gets hectic and I want my girls to have a large play area, even if they are cooped up in the cage. So I plan on spending about $450 on the cage (which after selling my FN142 would only be about $300 or so. I could then do the modifications for about $150. Here are two of the options I'm looking at: #1 Double mini condo www.mypetcages.com/product.asp?specific=104Size: 4ft tall x 5ft long x 3ft deep I love the look of this cage. It can still fit through my door easily, but it would take up a lot of space. I love how long this cage is - I know they would be able to have lots of play room. I'd probably make 3 full levels, connected by tubes. It also has a very large door, so I could get in there easily. Cost: $410 #2 A&E cage corner aviary www.largebirdcages4u.com/large-corner-aviary-52x42-sku100g-1Size: 6ft 2in tall x 4ft 4in long x 3.5ft deep So this cage is really tall! That might be an issue, but I love how it maximizes the vertical space. On the downside, I feel that the girls are less likely to play up and down. I would probably make 5 levels, connected by tubing. Cost: $400 I'm definitely leaning towards the first one, but I love how the second one would fit in the space. What do you guys think?
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Post by bluemoose on Dec 15, 2010 0:09:45 GMT -5
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Post by Heather on Dec 15, 2010 0:11:26 GMT -5
I just took a look at it, it looks awesome but....what is the size of the holes or gauge of the screening? I'm just thinking of a couple of darling little furgirls who can actually squeeze through a couple of the ferret cages I have. It's an awesome concept. The aviary you might consider checking out some of the issues that another person on this board ran into. Forewarned is forearmed I'm not saying it's a bad idea but perhaps checking out some of the problems might be a good idea ciao
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sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
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Post by sherik on Dec 15, 2010 0:33:46 GMT -5
The first one is really cool. I personally would figure out a way to connect the FN to that. You even got me thinking about buying one of those.
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 2:44:41 GMT -5
I just took a look at it, it looks awesome but....what is the size of the holes or gauge of the screening? I'm just thinking of a couple of darling little furgirls who can actually squeeze through a couple of the ferret cages I have. It's an awesome concept. The aviary you might consider checking out some of the issues that another person on this board ran into. Forewarned is forearmed I'm not saying it's a bad idea but perhaps checking out some of the problems might be a good idea ciao Yeah, I read the thread. Still love the idea, though. I believe the gauge and spacing are .14 2in x 1in. Pixie might be able to get her head through that. If so, I'll probably just cover it in hardware cloth. I feel like this will really give the girls the space they need when I can't be there to supervise playtime.
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 2:47:51 GMT -5
The first one is really cool. I personally would figure out a way to connect the FN to that. You even got me thinking about buying one of those. Here's another great deal. www.mypetcages.com/product.asp?specific=142It's 4 ft tall, 5 x 5 squared. Only downside is the door is only 3 ft, so cleaning would be tricky. But the cost is great - only $320!!
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Post by mjohn143 on Dec 15, 2010 9:38:09 GMT -5
I do really like the potential for the first and third cage and I think it would be a great idea, but to me that is something you need to see in person first to tell if it would be okay for ferrets. The first one also looks like there is a gap around the door that ferrets could squeeze through and escape or get hurt! What about putting 2 FNs together? or even 2 143s? The only reason I would feel more comfortable is because they are made special for ferrets.
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 13:56:50 GMT -5
I've thought about doing two FNs but my girls just don't play in their cage. I'm not saying the FN isn't an awesome cave, but it lacks horizontal space, and there are only 2 real levels. My girls don't us the top shelf at all. The price for two FN would be about the price of the first cage. If spacing between bars was an issue, the entire cage can be covered in hardware cloth. I love my FN, but when my two are in it, all they do is sleep!
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 14:48:22 GMT -5
I looked at the cage and I see what you mean about the door space. If it was an issue, I think I could fill the gap with something so it wouldn't be big enough. Thanks for pointing it out.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 15, 2010 18:08:44 GMT -5
Using hardware cloth to can be very dicey in terms of safety. the HW cloth would need to go on the inside of the cage. It would be fairly easy for your ferret to get caught between a cage bar and the hardware cloth if the hardware cloth is attached to the outside of the cage. My girls have escaped from ferret cages that have flexible bars - the squeeze right between the flexible bars. hardware cloth IS flexible, so it would need to be on the inside of the cage to prevent your ferrets from squeezing between the HW and the bars. If the HW cloth is on the inside of the cage, ot will need to be "sewn" in place with wire in just about eevery hole at the egde of the mesh. Even this will not guarantee that not sharp edges will exist. One time I had the girls in a large rigid, plastic dog crate. the girls managed to squeeze out of that cage. During her escape, Kachina somehow got he hind end caught beneath the retractable metal post that's part of the locking mechanism and tore a big gash in her hip. Of course, we then had a trip to the vet. If you decide to got this route, you may find it's more difficult to ferret-proof a cage than you think! -jennifer
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 19:09:23 GMT -5
Very good points! I appreciate the input. Maybe I'll just get a second ferret nation...
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Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 15, 2010 19:26:28 GMT -5
I have 2 FN's side-by-side, and my brats thunder around in it all the time even though they have their own room (cage door is open all the time.) The funny part about ferrets is that there is NEVER enough room to keep a ferret happy. You give them a room, they want the house. You give them the house, they want outside. If my brats are going to play, they'll play in their cage if they're locked up in the cage. If my brats are going to sleep, they'll sleep even if they have the entire house! My kids even get bored with the rest of the house. The bottom line is that ferrets need a LOT of interaction and stimulation. That's one of the reasons I'm really into enrichment items such as the foraging cups.
-jennifer
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Post by Jackie on Dec 15, 2010 19:45:16 GMT -5
What little stinkers! My girls are just lazy I guess. It doesn't matter how long they're in their cage - they just won't play! I have a ferret room, but they are constantly scratching at the door to get out. I figured if I got a huge cage with four flat levels, it might entice them to play more. I definitely want some of those foraging cups!
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sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
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Post by sherik on Dec 15, 2010 19:50:45 GMT -5
Hi Jennifer How did you connect the two FN's side by side. I have been thinking about doing this for a while. I have the 143 and 142, so all I would need is a 141 and put the 143 on top of it. But the side by side thing, how did you do this?
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Post by sunnyberra on Dec 15, 2010 20:37:05 GMT -5
I used hardcloth wire on a cage for ferrets before (and had the cage for almost three hellish years), and I just used zipties to bind the hardcloth wire tight and flush with the cage. It takes a lot of time and is not fun, but it does work well in terms of safety.
... although I'd just go with the side by side by side double FNs, if it was my choice, but I'm completely biased, anyway!
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