You
will need:
- A Bolt
Cutter or some other tool that will cut cage rungs flush.
You can also use a regular wire cutter and cut as flush as you can -Any
rough edges will be covered in the end so it's ok.
- Small
wire or garbage twist ties for fastening a few small things in place.
- Duct tape or
cloth tape.
- Black
electrical tape (You may not need it, but have it standing by.)
- Tubes,
dryer hose, ramps -check out the Ramps section and figure out what will work
best for you.
If you want to get the overpriced plastic Funnels (like I did) and they're
not sold near you, you can order them from
Pet Expo,
or The Ferret
Store.
- Eight
1/2" dowels, 36" long (unless you're attaching the floor to your cage
with c-rings -see Floors
section.)
- 2 floors
cut 22.5" x 33.5" You can use:
- Plexiglas
-if so you'll also need a
- Plexiglas/glass
cutter knife
OR
- You
may use a small meshed wire floor and cover it with
- Sheet
linoleum: Not linoleum tiles, but sheet linoleum.
Many houseware supply stores sell linoleum in sheets on big BIG
rolls the same way carpeting is sold. Just ask the store to cut
you one big piece that's 22.5" by 33.5" (Actually, 2 pieces
-one for each new floor). Later, you can cut the holes for the ramps
and tubes yourself with a very sturdy pair of scissors -but that's
jumping ahead a bit.
Use whatever types of floors will work best for you. I've heard of some people using
wood and adding tons of varnish to it (and lots of drying time so the
ferret doesn't keel over from the toxic fumes!) The problem with wood
of course is that it's porous and may absorb food, urine, oils etc.
If you do a LOT of varnishing it may not be a problem. I've also heard
of using canvas pulled taught over some dowels. This would work too
and it's washable. Use whatever you think will work best. You can always
change your mind later. You can buy these items locally or add 2 floors
(22.5" x 33.5", black coated 1/2"x 1/2" mesh) to the "Martin's
Cages" list below.
Supplies
You Can Order From Martin's Cages:
The
following supplies can be ordered over the phone from Skip Martin at Martin's
Cages. He makes ferret cages but will also ship you
odds and ends if you're making your own cage or modifying your Midwest.
I'd have bought one of his cages except I want to keep the option of being
able to collapse my cage in case I travel. Skip's cages don't come apart.
Once they're assembled that's it! He is a really nice guy and has pretty
reasonable prices. He'll cut stuff to your specifications and ship them
right to your door. Of course if you can get any of the supplies locally,
then do. But for me it was easier to put in a quick order and have everything
pre-cut and brought right to my door in less than a week! :)
 |
C-rings
& C-ring tool/ kit (approx. $3 for the tool and tons of c-rings.) |
-
 |
Black
plastic edging (maybe another $2-$3 total?)
You may need to trim these a bit or you may have a tiny gap depending
on whether you end up taping or snapping them into place. I wish I'd
found my miter box saw. That would have made some nice corners.
- 2 pieces
29"
- 2 pieces
19"
- 2 pieces
16"
- 2 pieces
9"
|
 | 6 cage
door springs/fasteners/latches -whatever they're called! Get the kind
that has a spring with a hook attached to it. (Approx. 75 cents each)
|
- New front
door with 1/2" x 1/2" black coated mesh (MUST use small mesh for this
one). Dimensions: 11" x 22" (also about $3.)
- New top
door -possibly 1/2" x 1/2" black coated mesh, but your call. Could possibly
be 1" x 4" mesh if you prefer (to match the rest of the cage). The dimensions
for this piece are: 21.5" x 33.75" It's not quite 34". Measure the very
top of your cage from one side to the other and see if you get the same
numbers. (I'm not sure of the price for this top piece or the 2 wire
floors if you get them from him.)
*If
you follow the "first" set of instructions in the next section
(the "newer model" one), you will also need:
-
2 more pieces of black plastic edging 16"
- 2
more pieces of black plastic edging 9"
- One
additional front door with 1/2" x 1/2" black coated mesh. Dimensions:
11" x 22" (If you'd like, the mesh on this second door can be
wider (but not on the first door). If you get close to a 1" x 4"
mesh it may look more like the wire on the rest of the cage, but don't
go any wider.)
- 3
additional springs/fasteners/latches.
I don't think I forgot anything but you may want
to jot things down as I describe how to put this together to make sure
I didn't leave anything out.
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