a little cage advice please......

[mishellyshel]

So my babies cage is almost done, although i feel like i have been saying this for months!! this time it is true. i am attaching 2 pictures. the first one is the whole cage with doors open. the second is of the bottom section of one side, where he built steps and a little hay box (so cute!) the total dimensions of the cage are 6 feet tall (which includes space for a bottom shelf that is pulled out in the pic) 4 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet deep. It is split vertically into 2 sections, one for each one of my boys. so each one of their sides is basically 6 feet high by 2 feet wide & 2 1/2 feet deep. the mulberry ledges are not in yet, nor is their pvc tube or houses or any accessories. some of the shelves are covered in metal (actually aluminum) and some are bare. My question was should i leave the shelves bare or cover them all in aluminum. My reasoning is because of the excessive urine of my one chin.
Also any suggestions or recommendations would be great. We hope to put the final touches on thursday. Thank you all so much for looking!

 

[Carol~Anne]

Wow, that cage looks really nice! I like the metal/wood combo and I don't think I'd change anything about it at all and I'd leave the wood uncovered even though you have a shelf pee'er. Like I mentioned before, hydrogen peroxide works wonders on wood stains and it also gives them something to chew.

I'll have to wait until you're totally finished and have added the accessories before I comment on the finished product but so far it looks awesome!

 

[ABBY W.]

Wow! That is a great cage! I think my self-esteem as a chin owner just went down a notch

 

[LovingChins&Hedgies]

That cage is really neat!! They don't have access to the "stained" wood (I'm assuming that is what the dark wood on the outside is?) is do they??

 

[mishellyshel]

thank you..........it is very hard designing a cage, but i think i am going to keep the shelves as they are that way in a year if they are badly chewed or stained I can change them and redesign! In the meantime I will get a HUGE bottle of hydrogen peroxide!!
it also doesnt hurt to have a handy sweetie who is also sheet metal worker and knows what he is doing and has access to supplies & tools!!

They don't have access to the "stained" wood (I'm assuming that is what the dark wood on the outside is?) is do they??

nope! in fact where the cage doors are open and you can see the mesh stapled, it will be covered in aluminum before they go into it.
and all the other painted wood is up against the door or on the outside so they will not be able to get to it.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

looks nice - I would leave some bare so they can get some chewing in...but i understand your delimma as I have some shelf peers that drive me nuts.

 

[rach_leigh]

That is a great cage!! Bet your babies will just love it!

 

[Sandi]

Michelle, your handy sweetie makes a sweet cage! It's awesome!

 

[Tanya]

The cage looks great! I'm sure your babies will be so happy!!!!
I would just round the sharp edges of the small shelves. Maybe you can do some sanding.
I think it's a good idea to leave some shelves bare so that boys can chew on them. Did you try solving the peeing problem? I know it's hard, but can be done.
I finally did it several months ago and since then I did not see even one stain!

 

[Rickman]

Great cage - I'd be worried about the aluminium covered shelves in the middle, as when chins get going, I'd be afraid they'd get no traction to stop, and slide off!
Maybe if he gave it that "brushed" look, with some 80 grit sandpaper, there'd be a little traction, and still be easy to clean!
In my experience with aluminium, [race car interiors] it scratches and dents super easy, is very hard to polish, and the "brushed look" is very easy to touch up!

 

[PaperMoon]

Wow!! the cage looks AWESOME!!! I can see your chins bouncing happily around already. =)

 

[mishellyshel]

Rick--the one shelf that IS covered in aluminum in the middle is stationary so there is no removing but i will suggest scuffing it up. thanks. and the bottom shelf that has the shiny alum is where their food & water & hay will be, so it will be easier to keep clean.
but after all the suggestions we have decided to keep the shelves bare. like i said i will just get a big bottle of hydrogen peroxide to clean up after Mr Pees a lot!!