Advice on building a cage?

[Best Life]

:help My apologies for duplicating my post in "Cages..", but there's not much action in there and I need to get going to build a new cage.

I'm overwintering two 11-12 week old grays and need advise about their overwinter cage. I'm planning to still keep them in a cage in the enclosed porch (there's a wall heater for when it's really cold), so this is not intended to be an outdoor release cage. They would still get a few hours of free run on the enclosed porch each day, but have really outgrown their present cage.

Modifying a bird cage? : I've seen a few awesome deals on bird cages on Craigslist, but the bar spacing on the really big ones is usually 1". Is there a simple way to attach 1/2" hardware cloth either inside or out so it will be safe?

Starting from scratch? : :thinking Also, I've been poring over other people's cool homemade cages on TSB, but the littlest details are escaping me. If I build a wooden frame, does the hardware cloth go outside the frame or inside? Are staples okay for attatching wire?

Here is a link to plans for a homemade chinchilla cage that I thought looked pretty good (except for size, of course).
http://chinchillacymru.co.uk/buildcage.htm Any comments on the basic construction? There is another link within that link with more details.

I would like to build a cage with wheels that will fit through my patio door into the house when needed, and also out through the deck door to the deck. (max 6' high and 30" deep, but I could make it wide for more space) At that size, what size wood should I use for the frame? I would like to keep it as lightweight (for me) as is safe for them.

Thanks for any suggestions or pictures anybody may have.

Linda in Lutz :tilt

[Busysqrl]

I have a cage that is 6 ft high x 7 ft long by 36in deep. Sounds like about the size you're wanting. You could even make it longer if you have the room. I've built several large cages. We used 2 x 3s for the wood. Instead of building a 'frame', we built panels. So each wall was a panel and the roof and floor were panels. It made it much easier to attach the hardware cloth because you can lay the panel down on the floor and attach the hardware cloth very easily. It also makes it easy to put together. You just need to make sure your panels are square while you're building them. Then you take them to wherever you want to assemble and start screwing it together. It worked really slick. We've always put the hardware cloth on the inside. We used an air compressor staple gun, but you could probably use a manual staple gun. Be prepared to use a LOT of staples. If you use a manual stapler you'd want to make sure the staples were all the way in with no gap for little claws or toes to get caught in. 2 of our cages also have caster wheels we just bought at Home Depot. Very simple to attach. Hope this helps.

[Best Life]

I have a cage that is 6 ft high x 7 ft long by 36in deep. Sounds like about the size you're wanting. You could even make it longer if you have the room. I've built several large cages. We used 2 x 3s for the wood. Instead of building a 'frame', we built panels. So each wall was a panel and the roof and floor were panels. It made it much easier to attach the hardware cloth because you can lay the panel down on the floor and attach the hardware cloth very easily. It also makes it easy to put together. You just need to make sure your panels are square while you're building them. Then you take them to wherever you want to assemble and start screwing it together. It worked really slick. We've always put the hardware cloth on the inside. We used an air compressor staple gun, but you could probably use a manual staple gun. Be prepared to use a LOT of staples. If you use a manual stapler you'd want to make sure the staples were all the way in with no gap for little claws or toes to get caught in. 2 of our cages also have caster wheels we just bought at Home Depot. Very simple to attach. Hope this helps.

OH, it's YOU, Busysqrl, the creater of the awesome Green Rocket! :crazy THAT, I remember, because it is on my list of "must haves" for rehabs, as well as for flattening wire. I haven't minded being a living, screeching, squirrel "tree", but I don't wish to have wire reverse-rolled around me to straighten it out! :eek:

:thankyou so much for responding!
I looked back thru your posts at the indoor and outdoor cages you've built and read again how you did it. NOW it all makes more sense! I will definitely rent or borrow an electric gun to staple with. I've used manual for years and never really gotten a good grip out of it.

Question, tho, how did you do the frame on the little wire door on the inside cage? It looks welded?

Best wishes to all of you, and thanks so much again for the help. I've never had to over-winter before, so it's a learning experience. I feel ready now to make my list for Home Depot and get going on this in the morning! :alright.gif


:peace Linda

[fire-eyez]

can the bar spacing be 1'? or is that to big?

[Jackie in Tampa]

Date: 2010-12-01, 4:05AM EST
Reply to: comm-gradk-2088740114@craigslist.org (comm-gradk-2088740114@craigslist.org?subject=*~~*Must%20see%2 0HUGE%20reptile%20cage*~~*%20(Largo)&body=%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Ftampa.craigslist.org%2Fpnl %2Fpet%2F2088740114.html%0A) [Errors when replying to ads? (http://www.craigslist.org/about/help/replying_to_posts)]

Only asking $300. This cage is walk-in size and perfect for any reptile. Has built in thermometer and humidity gage. Has shelves and vines. Comes with 2 lights, one being a UV light.
If interested please email or call/text 727-458-9017


Location: Largo
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interestshttp://images.craigslist.org/3nb3o93pf5T45W15U4ac18f7d9ea1ab49154e.jpghttp://images.craigslist.org/3n63p13lb5Q45P45X2ac1facb22d252801c9d.jpg

[Jackie in Tampa]

that's a big cage huh?
How would ya move it?

[Jackie in Tampa]

LInda...are you going to release your sqs?
Have you tried Craigs list?
Will this be their release cage also...
are these sqs forever sqs?
I have reasons for the weird questions...
I have a large cage in north tampa out on loan, I can ask if it is empty, You are welcome to use it just have to make arrangements to get it, it is all wire and rides well on the roof...it CANNOT be put in a car, it cannot be UN assembled...
It is {guessing here} 3x3x6high...maybe a wee bit bigger..but not 4x4...
and I am almost positive it's 6ft tall.
Let me know if you would like to borrow one...
I understand if you need your own!
I am not sure that it is empty, because The little princess that was in it has decided she doesn't want to be free...so she may not be using it as a relaese cage but as a forever cage...I will ck!:rotfl

I also am building a cage to resemble Sarahs cage and will be putting it on Craigs list and on consignment in a local pet store.
{ I am trying to earn extra income, the furniture biz is slow}}...
It will be on wheels...and can be painted or left wood colored...
It is currently a large armoire...
here's a pic of The red ferrarri cage!

[Best Life]

LInda...are you going to release your sqs?
Have you tried Craigs list?
Will this be their release cage also...
are these sqs forever sqs?
I have reasons for the weird questions...
I have a large cage in north tampa out on loan, I can ask if it is empty, You are welcome to use it just have to make arrangements to get it, it is all wire and rides well on the roof...it CANNOT be put in a car, it cannot be UN assembled...
It is {guessing here} 3x3x6high...maybe a wee bit bigger..but not 4x4...
and I am almost positive it's 6ft tall.
Let me know if you would like to borrow one...
I understand if you need your own!
I am not sure that it is empty, because The little princess that was in it has decided she doesn't want to be free...so she may not be using it as a relaese cage but as a forever cage...I will ck!:rotfl

I also am building a cage to resemble Sarahs cage and will be putting it on Craigs list and on consignment in a local pet store.
{ I am trying to earn extra income, the furniture biz is slow}}...
It will be on wheels...and can be painted or left wood colored...
It is currently a large armoire...
here's a pic of The red ferrarri cage!

:wave123 LOVE the Red FURrari, have admired that in another post of yours! (I enjoy updates on Sq Central!) Thank you for the potential offer of a loaner cage, that's very thoughtful. Getting it thru the doors might be a problem (narrow doors).

YES, I have been checking Craigs list round the clock. I've seen a few good priced bird cages with a 5' - 6' living space height, but the bar spacing is 1". Can that be modified with hardware cloth?

here's the scoop on the sqs:

YES, they are releaseable and that is the plan in the spring, however, I can no longer release squirrels here in my neighborhood. SO, I will be needing a suitable situation for that when the time comes. For now, I just want them to be more comfortable.

This does not need to be outdoor "release cage" quality, just a suitable, FUN indoor enclosure for them that I can wheel from one place to another in my home as needed. That would be:

1. Mainly staying on the enclosed porch The porch is also where they run amok a few hours a day. They will ALWAYS get their play time!

2. Out thru the porch door (about 33" x 80") onto the deck for their "outdoor experience", (weather permitting) which is enclosed by a pool cage
and
3. Into the kitchen thru the sliding patio door when the little porch heater can't keep up with the cold.

...so it doesn't need to be predator proof, and will need to be disassembled and stored (or shared) when they're finished with it. I'd like to give them max space and still fit it thru the doors, about 6' h x 30" d. I'm thinking 5' wide would still be manueverable.
:banana
I don't know what the heck the banana is about, but it cracks me up! Guess I'm getting stoked to do some building today. And beautiful weather to boot!

Thanks for any and all ideas and suggestions. Keep 'em comin'!!

Linda in Lutz

[Busysqrl]

Hi Linda, we actually used a staple gun made for an air compressor. We tried an electric staple gun and didn't like it all. The little wire door was made for us by a local cage building company. Looks like they used thick wire, bent it into the frame shape and then clipped the wire to it. I don't think it was welded. You liked the green rocket huh? That's funny. My girl LOVES her rocket! I'll post some pics of the floor we made most recently with wheels.

[Busysqrl]

can the bar spacing be 1'? or is that to big?

Personally, I think 1 inch square is too big. The caging we used was 1 in x 1/2 inch. The hardware cloth we used was 1/2 in square.

[Best Life]

Personally, I think 1 inch square is too big. The caging we used was 1 in x 1/2 inch. The hardware cloth we used was 1/2 in square.

Ya, I don't feel comfortable with 1". I just sent Nancy in NY a pm asking how she attached the 1/2" hardware cloth to Jeffrey's cage that originally had 1" spacing. I've seen some great (bird) cages on CL that would modify nicely, if I only knew how to do it properly.

Your cages are great!; I wouldn't even call them cages. They're more like Habitats. You and Jackie are giving me LOTS of good ideas on building. She is so creative!

Thx for the tip on the staple gun and info on the cage door. Assuming I am building, I will definitely rent the air compressor kind of gun. (after seeing what all I can mooch off of the neighbors, of course!)

LOVE the Green Rocket!! Looking forward to pictures! Who is the lucky squirrel in the habitat?

:thankyou Linda

[Busysqrl]

Right now I have a wild squirrel, Magnus, who is recouperating in the outdoor cage. He came to me in October, about 7 months old with a broken back. He's made wonderful improvement and has really adapted well to his life in a cage. My goal is to release him in Spring, but he needs to be able to jump which he currently can't do.

Here are some more pictures of the floor we put on the outdoor cage. I used vinyl again like I did for my indoor cage because it's so easy to keep clean.

This is of course the underside.

[Best Life]

Thanks so much for the detailed pictures and explanations - it really helps a lot! By taking a few bits from here, and a few bits from there, I'm hoping to come up with a lighter weight, easily portable, ummmm....:thinking ...hmmmm...."Casa Alegre" for my little foster sqs. I'm planning for the finished product to be about 6'h x 2 1/2'd x 5'w. That will be max squeeze through the doors, so I need to measure, then measure again, and then ONE MORE TIME. Living in Lutz, there are still many opportunities for them to spend time sunning out on the deck, so wheeling them around easily is a BIG factor. Jackie gave a hot tip in her post on how to save some major bucks on wheels. :tilt

I'm so happy for Magnus that you took him in and are helping him along on his road to recovery. :Love_Icon I had come across his post when I was searching for pictures of home-built cages and had been thinking about him (and you). I'm so happy to hear that he is doing well. He's a very lucky little guy!

Thanks again for all the pics and tips! :banana hee hee - I simply MUST learn the steps to the funky li'l nanner dance!!

Linda

[Busysqrl]

That's how we built our cages too. Took tips and ideas from everywhere, that way you can make it exactly how you want and to fit your situation.

Thank you for the good thoughts for Magnus! He's such a good boy. Good luck with your babies. Give them a kiss from me and Magnus :grouphug

[pappy1264]

Eek.....why are all the good cages always so far away!!! (I want that cage, Jackie!!! Why did you post it, when I am so far away!!) Gotta love CL!