Building a ferret cage questions

[Aftershock]

I want to use the outdoor enclosure guideline, but it's going to be indoors. What can I use for flooring? Also is galvanized chicken wire okay, or will the galvanized coating be bad for the ferrets?
No pine, no cedar, right?
How tall should I make it?

[Heather]

It's entirely dependent on how you're going to set it up, how much space you're going to use, how tall you want to make it, are you going to put a top on it, what are you going to use for framing, are you going to make it multilevels, are you going to set up living areas? Lots of questions.
I used wood floors, covered with vinyl flooring cut to fit the cage. I won't use chicken wire because my guys (Lady Morgaine to be precise) will rip right through it like it's paper. I use 1" fencing.
ciao

[Aftershock]

I have a Kaycee cage right now, so lots of up space, but every time I try to utilize that space Croc stops using the remote litter box. So I was thinking more long than tall. Maybe two feet high?
Not to mention I watched Cow scale the wall of the cage last night while investigating it, and she's small enough that she could slip straight through the bars and I would rather not take that chance and her turn it into a habit.
I would definitely put a top on it, and I'm kind of thinking about making it a hinge top so I can get in and clean everything easy.
I was hoping to get some recommendations for type of wood for the frame.
Probably not multilevel.
When you say living areas, what do you mean?
Wood covered with vinyl flooring is a fantastic idea!
rips right through it? I'm glad I asked first before building!
I think I'm going to draw out an idea before I start anything too.

[Heather]

Definitely draw up your plan. There are a lot of really nice ideas for fertish type space. I like mine on the horizontal which is why I've shoved 2 and 3 FN cages together and shut off the ramp between the levels. It actually gives them more usable space. Basically, what you need is a box. What you need to decide is how high and how long and how are you going to access it. Just make sure your doors allow you to easily access the whole cage from the doors and you don't have to be a contortionist to set up and clean. Dislike the homemade cages I have right now for just that reason
ciao

[Aftershock]

I like the horizontal better, especially for Croc. I was thinking about somehow putting their current cage together horizontal, but there's no possible way. And I that they have to crawl up and down the door to get in and out. I'm worried about their legs. I could always keep it as a quarantine cage in case one gets sick.
I want to do kind of a design like a cedar chest so the top opens and I can get in it easy. I'm trying to figure out how to design their door though. Hmm. Once I'm done cleaning (my mother in law is coming over and meeting the ferrets for the first time, and seeing our new place ) I'm going to sit down and draw it up then post a picture up here.

[Aftershock]

[Heather]

You will want to use at least 2 lock downs (either corner) or two separate door openings on the top. They are ingenious at manipulating their environment and twisting the door frame to get out would be a definite consideration.
ciao