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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 12:35:36 GMT -5
I decided to move all my cage brainstorming to this section, as it seemed more appropriate than continuing the intro thread, since that one is getting a bit long and hard to follow at this point. So, this is my current idea, the tote on top of the cages is just a placeholder for where I am planning the litter box to be, which may change in the future if that spot is too hard to get to, and the spiral thing is showing where I plan to have a tube so the ferrets can get in/out of their cage (will have to find a way to close it off when I'm not home though, otherwise who knows the trouble they would cause) The orange thing on the wall is where my apartment's thermometer is. Ok!, so I got my cages (well, 2 of them, they forgot to load the last one onto the mail truck on friday), I was able to make a much much much more accurate model of the FN series cages. In doing so, I was also able to see how the plexiglassed sides would fit in place. The results: I also uploaded the models of the cages I made, found in the sketchup 3d warehouse, located here (all 3) here (181) here (182) and here (182+183)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 12:36:59 GMT -5
Ok, so I am going to list all the iterations of my ideas for cage placement on this post. Original plan: Sketchup ApartmentSeemed a bit boring, so I thought why not give them the balcony for more space? Balcony CageAfter that idea got shot down, I thought of another cool idea (cue current idea) Quick mock-up of placement: Refining the idea: Wall MountedRedid the cage model to be a more accurate representation: I also uploaded the models of the cages I made, found in the sketchup 3d warehouse, located here (all 3) here (181) here (182) and here (182+183)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 13:36:06 GMT -5
Following (dance)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 20:31:41 GMT -5
First off, the wall mount idea is amazing and I love it and I want to see it happen. It just won't work with the Ferret Nation without a lot of editing (of which it seems you're willing and capable, so...). The FN is not stand-alone modules. A two-story 182 only has one roof and one floor without a cut-out. The Add-On Unit 183 does not include a roof; it has a cut-out floor and the 182's roof becomes its roof. So you'd need to come up with a few extra cages to make three complete modules like that. Also, the newer snap-together versions need to be completely assembled to be a stable unit. You could get around that by using zip ties at all the corners, which is what most people do (and what I did) to make "double wide" FNs. Looks like you're cutting holes in the bars to fit the tubes. I've seen that done and it's such a permanent change to such a durable cage that it personally makes me a little queasy. (shy) I've also seen others putting that panel aside and replacing it with something solid or a homemade frame with different wire, and cutting holes in that instead. The remote litter box is a fabulous idea and I wish I had the room to do that where my cage is. I wouldn't depend on it being your only litter box though, at least not at first! Which takes me to my last concern... Plan to protect your walls. They *will* get poop on them. They might get holes scratched in them. Litter and food and fur *will* get stuck between the bars/frame and the walls. Honestly, I could see something like this working really well with Super Pet tub-style cages connected with tubing and set on a shelf system. I don't have any problems seeing holes cut in those things
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Post by racheld on Aug 19, 2014 21:32:34 GMT -5
I really like the wall mounted idea! The 'steps' look neat. I hope you can get it to work!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2014 22:07:24 GMT -5
First off, the wall mount idea is amazing and I love it and I want to see it happen. It just won't work with the Ferret Nation without a lot of editing (of which it seems you're willing and capable, so...). The FN is not stand-alone modules. A two-story 182 only has one roof and one floor without a cut-out. The Add-On Unit 183 does not include a roof; it has a cut-out floor and the 182's roof becomes its roof. So you'd need to come up with a few extra cages to make three complete modules like that. Also, the newer snap-together versions need to be completely assembled to be a stable unit. You could get around that by using zip ties at all the corners, which is what most people do (and what I did) to make "double wide" FNs. Looks like you're cutting holes in the bars to fit the tubes. I've seen that done and it's such a permanent change to such a durable cage that it personally makes me a little queasy. (shy) I've also seen others putting that panel aside and replacing it with something solid or a homemade frame with different wire, and cutting holes in that instead. The remote litter box is a fabulous idea and I wish I had the room to do that where my cage is. I wouldn't depend on it being your only litter box though, at least not at first! Which takes me to my last concern... Plan to protect your walls. They *will* get poop on them. They might get holes scratched in them. Litter and food and fur *will* get stuck between the bars/frame and the walls. Honestly, I could see something like this working really well with Super Pet tub-style cages connected with tubing and set on a shelf system. I don't have any problems seeing holes cut in those things Thank you for this information, and it actually answers a few questions of mine, and gives me a few more I can ask. I was planning on replacing any panels touch wall/ other cage with plexiglass, to prevent wall messes, and to make the cages much more open to eachother- if I buy the 183 (and a replacement bottom pan for each of them) could I use the rear wall as the roof? Seems like I will be building the cages out of zip ties at this point.
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Post by bitbyter on Aug 19, 2014 22:38:05 GMT -5
Honestly if you are going to go to all this trouble, I'd just build your own cages. I believe you can order parts from Midwest, so just order some door sets and floor trays. You can build the rest out of wood, plexi-glass, chicken wire, etc. Just don't tell them you are building a cage. Tell them you are looking for replacement parts for damaged cages: www.midwesthomes4pets.com/customer-tools/customer-service-1
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 1:15:02 GMT -5
Honestly if you are going to go to all this trouble, I'd just build your own cages. I believe you can order parts from Midwest, so just order some door sets and floor trays. You can build the rest out of wood, plexi-glass, chicken wire, etc. Just don't tell them you are building a cage. Tell them you are looking for replacement parts for damaged cages: www.midwesthomes4pets.com/customer-tools/customer-service-1Thanks for the suggestion, I have just sent a ticket asking about it, let's see how long it takes for them to respond. To be honest, I had been wondering what I was going to do with the leftover panels when I was done, so this option seems pretty good, as long as they respond well to my support ticket (and they don't grossly overprice replacement panels).
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 7:42:21 GMT -5
Ooh that looks so neat! Good luck to you. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 10:05:19 GMT -5
No, you cannot use backs or side walls as tops or bottoms on the FN cages, each panel is unique and fits only as intended. You can swap the two end panels to either side, the the top, front, back and bottoms are all special pieces. Also the bottom is just a piece of wire held in between the front and back panel, I would suspect it could fall out if not fully supported by a unit underneath. (Possibly you could create a wood frame underneath to do this instead.) Would also like to point out that a straight tunnel as shown pictured will be too steep for some ferrets, better off to angle it as a gradual slope.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 11:43:26 GMT -5
Honestly if you are going to go to all this trouble, I'd just build your own cages. I agree. I don't know that I would even use any FN parts in that case; they're quite heavy. Just take the idea of the fully-opening front doors. The FN trays aren't bad ideas for floors but mixing pans (like I use for a litter box in the FN) would be similar, cheaper, and have scatter guards built in. I'm vacillating on actually mounting them to the wall now; the more that can be disassembled to clean the better, in my experience -- especially in an apartment, where you don't have a yard and a hose. So what might be easier and more versatile is a cage on a stand tall enough to be at eye level like the shelves, that would also allow for the playpen space beneath... well, now I'm just imagining my own perfect set-up, maybe not sirrush's.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 12:24:27 GMT -5
So I was denied getting "replacement" parts from Midwest, which means I'd have to buy entire FN cages if I want to do this as originally planned. I do wish I could at least get the door panels though, since it would be difficult to build a decent door like that, but I am going to start looking into that, since, as it has been pointed out, I would be paying $310-350 (depending on which fn's I bought) for barely half the sides on them. Also, would having just the front of the cage actual cage allow enough airflow/keep the cages from getting too stuffy?
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Post by bitbyter on Aug 20, 2014 12:37:23 GMT -5
I'd start looking online for plans on how to build rabbit hutches. The designs would be similar, you'd just have to build using heavier materials for the strength of ferrets (double layer chicken wire, thicker wood, etc).
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Post by bitbyter on Aug 20, 2014 12:42:36 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2014 12:48:34 GMT -5
Here are some images of home built cages: Oh, those are nice, And I am really curious what you used for wire in the last image.
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