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Post by rajh08 on Jun 4, 2011 11:55:00 GMT -5
I am just about done building the ferrets outdoor enclosure but Bear keeps digging the ground and sometimes he makes his way out. What can I do as a flooring to stop this? I really don't want to do a big piece of plywood and I don't want to dig up a lot of yard since we are living in a rental and I don't think our landlord would like that. I saw someone use chicken wire as a flooring.. would that be okay or would that hurt there feet? Thanks  |
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Post by Heather on Jun 4, 2011 13:21:32 GMT -5
I used chicken wire and then put down patio slabs on top. I then added mulch on top. The problem is setting it up so that they don't dig under the sides. I actually ran the fencing under the patio stones too. I can't dig down to bury the fencing because of the soil conditions (I would need to blast) so this is my method of getting around this (I hope it makes sense)
ciao
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Post by rajh08 on Jun 4, 2011 14:27:39 GMT -5
I used chicken wire and then put down patio slabs on top. I then added mulch on top. The problem is setting it up so that they don't dig under the sides. I actually ran the fencing under the patio stones too. I can't dig down to bury the fencing because of the soil conditions (I would need to blast) so this is my method of getting around this (I hope it makes sense) ciao Yes, it makes sense lol thank you Can I see a picture of your enclosure? I always like seeing others ideas |
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Post by Heather on Jun 4, 2011 18:47:26 GMT -5
This is a photo of the ferret play area while under construction. If you look carefully, you can see the base wire and fencing.  This is the tunnel that leads from my bedroom to the play area   The doorway entrance to the tunnel  The guys on their way down/up the tunnel to the play space  Completed ferret play area  Playing in the snow  Playing in the swimming pool   ciao |
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Post by synu on Jun 4, 2011 20:32:00 GMT -5
 Heather that is amazing, you should design me something like that, haha. I love the little tunnel leading from the house to the play area!!
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Post by Heather on Jun 4, 2011 20:37:45 GMT -5
I can't claim total creator on that one. DH was the one who created the outdoor play area. I drew it up but he executed the project. I'm hoping to start on an expansion in the next couple of years which would take up the rest of the garden area (we split it in half, when we discovered things don't grow in the shadow of oak trees  ) This would allow me to have two play groups out at the same time ciao |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2011 23:41:04 GMT -5
Your set up is absolutely fabulous!!! Love it!! Very lucky little babies!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2011 1:17:18 GMT -5
I put chicken wire down in my enclosure and then covered it with pine bedding. The grass eventually comes up and covers the wire. Here's some pics to give you an idea:   |
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Post by acodlin on Jun 5, 2011 12:25:06 GMT -5
Are your summers not very hot? I'd love to make an outdoor enclosure but it's so misreably hot I'd be afraid someone would overheat. It's not uncommon to have 95+ degree weather with 100% humidity. The only time I can take them out is very early in the morning =/
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Post by Heather on Jun 5, 2011 13:19:47 GMT -5
Our summers can be but as long as the air con is off, they can go out and play. I find they're very good about knowing when it's too hot for them to be outside if the house is open. The tunnel allows them the freedom to choose, they're never confined outside.
ciao
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Post by acodlin on Jun 5, 2011 14:15:16 GMT -5
Do you guys put some kind of mesh or roof over the top of your enclosures?
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Post by rajh08 on Jun 5, 2011 14:36:39 GMT -5
Summer here in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado don't get very hot. Sometimes it gets in the 80s.. lows at night are in the 40s. Above 80 is too hot for them. I just make sure they have water and a breeze to cool them down when it does get to hot for them.
I did build a roof for my enclosure. I made it slanted with wooden panels.
I'll post picture soon
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Post by rajh08 on Jun 5, 2011 14:41:56 GMT -5
Summer here in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado don't get very hot. Sometimes it gets in the 80s.. lows at night are in the 40s. Above 80 is too hot for them. I just make sure they have water and a breeze to cool them down when it does get to hot for them. I did build a roof for my enclosure. I made it slanted with wooden panels. I'll post picture soon They also are in the shade for most of the day.. so that also helps when it's a little hot. |
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Post by rajh08 on Jun 5, 2011 14:43:13 GMT -5
Heather that a GREAT enclosure!
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Post by rajh08 on Jun 5, 2011 15:03:53 GMT -5
I moved the enclosure to a different spot of the yard and it has stopped his digging. I think the small amount of mulch he could see was making him dig. The thick grass doesn't.. Yay, to no more trying to escape!
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) This would allow me to have two play groups out at the same time
