Tilted Shelves

[Devi Xiao]

I was looking for ideas for cages and noticed that 4 J's Plantation cages have slanted shelves. Does this affect how the chinchilla moves around in the cage (ie falling of shelves more often)? It seems like a good idea since debris would slide off the shelf into the pans below. Would anyone have an idea how to do this for a ferret nation?

Here are the 4J cages: http://www.4jsplantation.com/cages.html

 

[becky12883]

I just slanted mine slightly. Not all the poops fall off, but most of them do. It's not enough for the boys to slide off the edge either. I just took a pic for you, Dale was super sleeping and didn't even move when the flash went off.

 

[Devi Xiao]

Is there a way to tilt it from the bolts? Instead of physically slanting it by location of the bolts?

 

[becky12883]

Um, I'm not sure what you mean really. I made my shelves by drilling pilot holes, then screwing in hangar bolts. Then when I put them in the cage I tilt the shelf slightly then tighten the wing nut, the washer is between the nut and the cage. They are very sturdy as long as you make them the entire length or width of the cage. I've never had one slide down.

 

[eastcoastchins]

Wow, that's a great idea, I never thought to do that! I'll definitely have to try that beats having to clean poo off shelves every day!

 

[Devi Xiao]

Could you tilt the shelves by drilling the bolts in at an angle?

 

[becky12883]

I don't know, the boards I use are only 1 inch thick, maybe if you use 2 inch thick boards, but that's a lot of weight to put on cage bars.