Gates?

[furratmamawi]

Hi! I’m curious if anyone has any recommendations for gates (items that are currently available, if they are purchased from a store or online site.) We have a gap 48 inches across and that is between two walls (not a doorway.) I need to create a ferret space in a room with no door. We need to be able to climb over it ourselves, as well. An old standard baby gate we have is too small for the space. The fabric gates seem too insubstantial for ferret teeth and determination. I’ve found one claiming to be for small animals on Amazon, but it seems too weak and lightweight for fuzzies. My husband and I are thinking we’ll have to build something, so any ideas that way would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[unclejoe]

Look for a marshall or loving world playpen or similar 3 panel extension. The panels are 18 inches wide and 28 inches high.  You'll have to be a little creative about attaching it to the walls.  but you should be able to find some hooks that will work. once you get the panels you can ask at Lowe's about securing them to the wall.  I can help.  How handy are you?  

[Charlie]

You will want a gate that they can't climb. So if you make one, use a smooth surface like plexiglass so they can't climb it and make it tall enough that they can't jump and grab the top edge to climb up. They are very smart and make sure nothing is close to it because they will climb it and jump to the top! I had a dresser near the gate I made and he figured out how to climb up on the dresser then climb across to the top of the gate and jump down on the other side. Smart little bugger. lol

[furratmamawi]

Thank you both for great ideas! Exactly what we needed to know. We are hoping for babies around Halloween, so we’re getting ready.
Thanks again!

[PatienceTheVirtue]

A little late possibly but you can get plastic barrier guard and DIY that. I bought a huge role and attached it to baby gates they've been able to climb, around their cage when they're determined to climb that, around bookshelves so they can't climb that... You get the idea lol. Not sure how you'd secure it to the wall, I was thinking velcro but they've been known to get around it easily and enjoy digging at it specifically.
Good luck!

[furratmamawi]

Thank you, Patience! I like the idea of using baby gates and attaching plastic barriers to them (get out the zip ties!) It solves the problem because I can get hates with doors in them, but can still be sure little ones won’t get out (or at least as reasonably sure as one can be with fuzzies!)

[PatienceTheVirtue]

I used pipe cleaners in place of zip ties because the metal part is (presumably) harder to chew through, and they're reusable. This is the plastic barrier I bought (and it comes with a hole punch so you don't have to buy one separately): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000E2DIE/
It's a little pricey but it's fifteen feet long so I'm fairly certain I'll never run out. We'll see what my ferrets decide though haha