Molly's new cage! I want to do it right!

brothersport91 · Jan 13, 2012

So molly got a new cage. It's the biggest one she's ever had at 5 feet wide, over 3 feet tall, and 18 inches deep. I paid $40 to a guy on craigslist for it, which i consider a great deal. It's huge and has about 15 doors that slide upward to open.

Right now it's completely empty. Just a shell. She's still in her old cage. It seems a bit unstable. My original plan was to deck it out with wooden ledges and shelves but i don't know how they'll hold. Right now i think my best bet is to put in shelves that fit in the 18 inches from front to back at various heights that will become platforms. I'm hoping this will add to the stability of her cage so she can continue her wall-jumping safely. : )

Has anyone had this issue? how did you overcome it? also, can plexiglass be used to make more lightweight shelving? Maybe covering it in fleece to make it safer and less slippery??? And, as i'll be only using a couple of the 15 doors, do you have any suggestions as to keeping the other ones closed??

Thanks a ton
Sam

Shooper · Jan 13, 2012

I would use thin wire or zip ties to keep the doors closed that aren't going to be used. I think your front to back shelf idea sounds best. Maybe even one that can go on the end and attach to all 3 sides. I make shelves and would be glad to help if you need some.The cage looks like a nice size!

BooBoo*TheKiddo* · Jan 13, 2012

I think wood shelves would make the cage a bit more sturdy.

I would zip tie or wire the doors shut, or maybe use a j-clip.

Carleigh · Jan 13, 2012

I got an incredibly unstable cage a while back on craigslist and found that just a few shelves that attach to 3 sides and one or two that attach completely across sturdies up the cage immensely. I think that if Molly wants to, she'll chew through a zip tie so something wire (and thicker than what's in a bread tie) should be used. I've never dealt with Plexiglas, but if you do try it absolutely cover it with fleece.

greychins · Jan 13, 2012

I have a mildly similar cage, except mine's more tall versus yours which is wide. I haven't set it up yet (it was donated and I haven't had the chance), but based on previous experience... I think it will be plenty sturdy once there are wooden shelves in there. The one thing I always do in less-than-sturdy cages is to have a shelf that goes all the way across the back and connects to both the back and to both sides of the cage. That helps connect the cage together. Even better if you can get a shelf going across the front like that, and ones on the sides, that also connect to three sides. They basically hold the cage in place, and it ends up being considerably more sturdy once the shelves are in.

Once you basically brace the cage open with those types of shelves, then you can add pretty much anything you want - corner shelves, perches, whatever. Getting the cage braced is always my first concern, and once those shelves are in there, then you can play around with the rest of the cage and have fun.

)

I honestly don't know about the plexiglass. I could see chins trying to chew it, even covered in fleece, so I probably wouldn't. I think the wood would be sturdy enough.

If you don't know how to make shelves, we sell custom shelves. Let me know if I can help you out.

I personally wouldn't use cable ties to close the other doors. I don't know about everyone else's chins, but mine chew them, and those doors would be open in no time. I, also, have like 15 doors on my cage, but only plan to use three. The others, I plan to use C-rings to hold closed. If that's not something you have lying around (I have a ton because of several Martins' cages), then I would suggest going and buying metal cable ties (they may be harder to find, but places do sell them) and use those. Chins sure can't chew through those.

brothersport91 · Jan 14, 2012

Okay thank you all who helped and gave suggestions.

For the doors, i figured the easiest thing to do is take some pliers and bend the wire in the corner of the doors so it cant move. it's bent around so the doors stay on, but if squeezed tighter, it won't budge. I reckon if I cant move it, Molly can't either. (Fingers crossed.)

I visited The Home Depot today and got all my wood and hardware for shelves. I've got it all planned out, fixing my boards in to as many walls as i can to rebuild some stability.

As for right now... Girlfriend (Anna<3) and I just got home an hour or so ago and she's asleep so i can't make any noise just yet.

I'll start my project first thing tomorrow. Going to go visit various pet stores also to get Molly some things to decorate her new place! Also gotta get some fleece for a new liner. Glad I'm off work!!! I can't wait!

Thanks again. -Sam