The Ferret Nation Club

[partygirlha]

I've got a collapsable quality cage - I called and asked for a custom sized one - 30"x30"x 30" (and I because I was getting babies I had them make it 1/2 grid - they did a speacial order really quickly and not that much more the their standard stuff) and I did end up putting a wheel in it because while babies should not generally have wheels - these boys were crazy and literally climbing the cage walls - a wheel helpped them burn off some energy and keep them from climbint too much. It's not the sturdiest for wheels- but it was OK (you might look into adding some extra support like a board on the outside of the cage, drilled where the wheel bolts attach.

If you're using it a lot and having to pop it up and down a lot fleece "shelves" might be easier than wood to attach quickly. then add a lava ledge for chewing.

anyway they are great cages and I was really glad I got an extra large one - more room for the chins, and they fold up flat. I've got a couple of fleece liners that I made to fit, so I don't need to fuss with any other bedding.

 

[Irishsk8r66]

you all have such amazing cages!!! i cant wait to move into a bigger place with a chin room so i can get my little guy a better cage! only a few more months!!!

 

[Irishsk8r66]

i was also wondering if the ferret nations can be changed from one big cage to two separate cages? i am looking to get one when i get a bigger place and am hoping to get another chin. it would be great to know that i can separate them if they end up not getting along. Thanks!

 

[Sandi]

i was also wondering if the ferret nations can be changed from one big cage to two separate cages? i am looking to get one when i get a bigger place and am hoping to get another chin. it would be great to know that i can separate them if they end up not getting along. Thanks!

Yes, the FN142 can be divided into 2 cages. So that you don't have to take apart the FN, you would just flip the pan that has the opening or if you get bass pans, get one that does not have an opening.

 

[caiti]

Gah! So I think I might go with an FN 141 with a bass pan. Total = $153.19. The CN single with pan would have been $30 more and the QC condo would have been $17 more. I found an FN 141 on amazon for about $123 and the pan turns out to be $30. AND I just figured out with my food allowance, I can buy it and just barely have rent for the month!! YAY--which makes me glad I already went grocery shopping and there's a bus stop to school down the street, so I won't be driving or buying food anytime soon.

..yea I put everything on a spread sheet and wrote pros and cons and costs. So even though I've analyzed the crap out of this decision I want to know what people think. Should I do it?!?!

Will 23" shelves fit from front to back in this cage? I just finished reading EVERY page of this thread and one person answered they think the cage is 23" on the inside.

And what is the consensus on the CS wheel noise? Do people find it less noisy with the 141?

Lastly--do the bass pans really fit? I read some people have trouble with the noise but in all the pictures they seem like they fit inside the cage relatively well.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

 

[partygirlha]

to seperate a FN142 you can also keep a tile (chin chiller is a good size) under the pan in the top section. to seperate just slide the tile over the hole. I do this all the time for easier cage cleaning (to keep my boys in one level while I clean the other)

 

[caiti]

So I just set up Chloe's new temp cage. It's a FN 141 with a bass pan. It was pretty easy to put together alone, but of course I messed it up and had to take time to fix my mistakes. I only put 2 shelves in so far since I'm having other problems...construction and I do not mix. Poor Chloe had to stay in her carrier the whole time I was assembling it and after a while she started to get really antsy, hehe.

She is currently running around like a crazy woman and kicking up shavings everywhere (I can see why everyone says to ask for deeper pans now, but oh well I don't mind sweeping).

Here are some pics. The last one is a view from me laying in bed. Suffice it to say, I think I will be waking up covered in pine shavings, haha.

 

[partygirlha]

caiti - she looks so happy - great job

 

[Sandi]

Caiti, even with the deeper pans you'll still have pine shavings and poop all over the place. I'm sure Chloe is super happy.

 

[broderp]

I'm a new member of this club now too! :tease:

Just need to find the nice deep pans now and customize it for our chins. Even with the "new less mess shelf & Happy Feet ramp covers" bedding is ALL over the room. :hair:

 

[Chin_Up_Sunshine]

to seperate a FN142 you can also keep a tile (chin chiller is a good size) under the pan in the top section. to seperate just slide the tile over the hole. I do this all the time for easier cage cleaning (to keep my boys in one level while I clean the other)

This is BRILLIANT. I was re-organizing my cage yesterday and the boys are always extremely interested in whatever it is that I'm working on at that moment and therefore try to hop on it the entire time. *sigh* As you can guess I don't currently have a divider for that hole. I tried the "ramp" that the cage came with originally but it never stays put and is far too wobbly to be safe. I wonder what else people use to divide the FN/CN? I'm getting my fleece stuff done hopefully this week and then it will be picture time!

 

[xsarah110]

http://i53.tinypic.com/jtnhtx.jpg
upgraded finally new second level and chinspin wheel

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

I don't see it.

 

[caiti]

http://i53.tinypic.com/jtnhtx.jpg
upgraded finally new second level and chinspin wheel

Very nice! Love the sleepy chin the the tube up top!! Now all you need are some hammocks and color!! haha, cage decorating never stops--it's more like an illness.

 

[chinnychinchinchilla]

Okay, now I see it! Looks good!

 

[Mandy]

I just got some pics of our FN. I have a 142 and Misty owns top while Momma is on bottom. Momma's half is kit-proof ATM, so there isn't much to see--but here's Misty's part.


open/closed:

That tube will be mounted on the side..if I could remember those stupid wingnuts at the hardware store!

 

[Andrea]

I love the tile flooring! I so want to do that!

 

[Mandy]

It's so much easier to clean..plus I like the fact it stays cool! [=

(ps..if you do decide to tile..we found this tile at lowes. They were like 89 cents for a 12x12 piece- found that to be a nice deal. )

 

[Andrea]

What kind of tile is it? Any brand/type in particular?

 

[Mandy]

I can't seem to remember or find the kind we used on the site, but
something tells me it was ceramic. [I'm no tile expert here. haha]