I might be crazy

[kaotictenshi]

I really want to build an entire cage for my chinnies from scratch...I have 2 males (not introduced yet) and a female...I wanted to build the cage so that it can be split in half to separate the female and the males. Am I totally crazy for doing this and can anyone recommend a site or a thread that details all safe materials to use for building the cage? I don't want the female and males to have any contact with each other so should I use clear plastic to separate them or just solid wood...the weathers getting nice so I have my work shed all ready and cleaned out to start this project...so as I said if anyone can fwd me the "everything you need to know about building a chin cage from scratch" manual that'd be fantastic!!

-LoLo

 

[alli713]

For separating the chins, I would suggest making it so that there's a top cage and a bottom cage. Then inbetween the two cages you could do melamine with a metal pan on top of it. I wouldn't suggest just doing wood or plastic because I'd be afraid of them slowly chewing away at it over time. I have read of chins doing such a thing.
But with a metal pan they wouldn't be able to get through it and it would make easy cleaning if you were able to make it into a slide out pan.
I've never built a cage but most people make them out of melamine. It's heavy but you can wipe it down very easily.

 

[Chinniechantel]

If you don't have all the tools you need, it may be easier, and about the same price, to buy a ferret nation. That is a great cage, and can be separated into 2 separate cages, so it would fit your needs very well. Just a thought...

 

[I<3MyChinnies]

If you don't have all the tools you need, it may be easier, and about the same price, to buy a ferret nation. That is a great cage, and can be separated into 2 separate cages, so it would fit your needs very well. Just a thought...

I totally agree. Additionally, without knowing if the two males will get along initially or long term, it could be risky to build something that only divides into two sections (I'm assuming you'd want one section for the males and one for the female). If the males don't get along and you have a FN 142 you can always buy the 143 add-on unit and make it into three cages that only take up the footprint of one since their all vertically stacked. Again, just a thought.

I'm biased because I have a FN 142 and LOVE it.

 

[PaperMoon]

If you don't have all the tools you need, it may be easier, and about the same price, to buy a ferret nation. That is a great cage, and can be separated into 2 separate cages, so it would fit your needs very well. Just a thought...

also agree, i've argued w/ this for many many days now....and i've just come to the conclusion to buy a cage...making one costs about the same price (maybe cheaper in the long run when you have all the supplies you need), there's work and alot of planning involved (depending on how experienced you are...), and if you build it out of wood, you'd have to replace it every 3-4 yrs ....but the pros of making your own cage is definately the satisfaction =D

 

[mishellyshel]

We are in the process of making our own cage. I have two boys that dont get along so the cage will be separate, but we are splitting it in half vertically instead of horizontally.
It is HUGE. Very wide. And there is an alcove on each side for sleeping quarters.
I have a nice cage, its not a Ferret Nation but looks very similar. It is huge and I love it. But we are building a cage because my finacee' is a union sheet metal worker and loves projects! It is more like a piece of furniture!! Plus we have all the tools we need. We are using the appropriate wood and wrapping the wood shelves in metal so they are easy to clean. I will use fleece in most spots but will have a wire bottom with a tray, so it is easier to clean all the poop..
There is a thread on here somewhere that even has some plans that helped give us some ideas.
It is currently all framed out, I will get pictures and post them if i can this weekend.
As for purchasing a cage........Petsmart has a coupon right now for 15 dollars of a 50 dollar purchase and the one by me carries Ferret Nation if you decide to purchase.

 

[LovableFuzziezandCrawliez]

Actually, I agree with everyone who is suggesting the Ferret Nation!
It is such a great cage! I have 4 of them myself and I love it for chinnies!!
You can buy pans so that they don't kick stuff everywhere and then you can just fill it with shelves, toys, hammocks, etc, as you see fit!!

WAY less stressful than trying to build one yourself!

 

[kaotictenshi]

I guess I'm just down for a nice project to work on now that the weather is nice, I'm still looking around to buy one, craigslist is AMAZING for FN cages and most of them are only a year or so old and in great condition I just sent an e-mail to go look at a 4 level FN (I think they used the add on) it's FREE..the guy has to move and he only has one ferret left so he's downsizing. I'm excited for that, because even if I do buy I can still make it my own ( or my chin's own) with shelves and hide-a-ways and whatnot. I am actually more prepared for my 2 males NOT to get along than I am for them to get along.

 

[sublime5981]

Too bad CnQ went down. I had picks of my cages on there. They are designed to split down the middle for introduction and separation when kits are born.

I designed and made them myself. I made 3 and the breakdown was about $175 each total. They are plywood lined with melamine. Bought everything except the wire and pans at Lowe's and had them cut the wood for me. The dividers are basically a wooden frame of 1x4 boards with wire on both sides to create a space.

The downside is that they are heavy and require two people to lift/carry. Also, if your chins pee on their shelves (as some of mine do) it will get into the wall of the cage where the shelves screw on.

 

[sublime5981]

Okay, I dug into my archives and found some pics. Not the good ones that showed the whole cage design of course. Apparently I deleted them after I posted. :duh: You can get the general idea though. When the divider isn't there it is just a 1x4 board that slides in between the pans. Inside dimensions are 37l x 24h x 30d

 

[shouts]

Yeah, can't beat free... but it's much more rewarding personally (and financially if you are going to build several) to build one. Plus the ability to customize is priceless!

 

[Riven]

I think a lot of it is your preference, do what you want to do! If you're used to building things, a cage will be easy peasy. I'm going to build some new holding cages soon ( I hope, lol ) It's one of those projects that never seems to get started!