Ferrets have been domesticated by man for a long time.In some countries, they replaced domestic cats. In the natural environment, these animals live in deep burrows. They still have well developed natural instincts. That's why you can not leave your pets at home without supervision. Then the question arises, how to make a cage for the ferret. But first things first.
Characteristic features of animals
In the pet stores are sold two kinds of ferrets:steppe and forest. They are found on the territory of Russia. They are distinguished by beautiful color and abundance of the population. They live in burrows, which consist of many rooms. Life expectancy is up to eight years. However, everything depends on the comfort of living.
If a couple is bought, after a whilethere will be offspring. The offspring of ferrets happen up to three times a year. A large family needs a lot of space. That's why you need a large cage for ferrets.
But even one pet needs to provide a lot of space for active life. Otherwise, he becomes suspicious and will be prone to disease. And who is interested in watching the drooping animal?
Types of cells
Today, the content of exotic animals is notis something incredible. Ferrets are considered quite popular pets. Over the years, many cell variants for ferrets, chinchillas and other tamed animals have been developed.
Variants of comfortable dwellings:
- Plastic or iron factory design.
- Housing from plywood and timber, made by hand.
- A house made of thick plexiglas.
- A wicker homemade box.
- Temporary house out of the box.
- The construction of the iron mesh on the frame.
- The design is from an old converted cupboard.
Why is a cage made by own hands
Of course, the easiest way to get a finished cagefor the ferret. But here there are two nuances. Firstly, it may not fit into the interior of the room, including in size. Secondly, truly spacious cells are very expensive.
Often, the owners of ferrets make pets a homewith their own hands, taking into account all the features of their life. It is important that it be divided into several zones, which will play the role of a toilet, a canteen, a place for rest and games.
The minimum size of a ferret cage should correspond to the following parameters:
- width - 60 cm;
- length - 80 cm;
- height - 50 cm.
It is also important to consider where the cage will stand. If the area of the apartment allows, it can be made as large as possible.
Wooden construction
There are owners who can build a cagefor a ferret made of plywood and wood by hand. You first need to create a drawing. It will depend on where the design will stand. It is at this stage that the host decides how many floors the cell will have.
Then the necessary materials are prepared:
- wooden beams of different sizes;
- metal grating;
- sheet of plywood;
- platbands (fix the grille);
- a piece of linoleum;
- accessories for the door (handles, awnings, latches);
- fastening materials.
The work begins with the assembly of the framework.For this, wooden bars are used. Partitions are cut from the plywood. With their help, the floors of the cell will be divided. Linoleum is laid on the bottom. It will be easier to clean with it. In order for the floors to withstand all the loads of the moving animal, their fixing must be very strong.
The roof can be made in the general style of the room,decorating with decorative elements. The window in it will allow you to observe the pet from different angles. The back of the structure is made from a single sheet of plywood. On the front side is to install a small door. It is better that it consist of two leaves.
Between the floors you need to make through holes.On the ground floor there should be a high curb. Then the area around the house will not get very clogged. The windows are covered with a metal mesh. In a wooden multi-storey cage, the pet will be spacious and comfortable. And the owner will be pleased to realize that all this is done by themselves.
The construction of improvised materials
There are other options for creating cells forferret. So, the skeleton from a bar can be trimmed with a thick plexiglass. In such a home, it is important to take care of good ventilation, so several through holes on the roof and doors will not interfere.
Looks good housing, based onold wardrobe. Its appearance remains untouched, and the interior changes to the needs of the ferret. Instead of glasses, a mesh or thick plexiglass is mounted.
A cage of iron pipes as a frame and a metal grid can be put on wheels. Then it will become a mobile home.
Whichever option is chosen, it is important to securely fix all the details and prevent the presence of sharp corners and non-surfaced surfaces.
A ready cage with a pet can be placed on thebalcony, in any residential area. The animal is not afraid of frosts, but does not tolerate drafts. It is detrimental for him to find near heating appliances and central heating radiators. He can die from a heat stroke.
Cell development
When it became clear how to make a cage for a ferret yourself, it is worth discussing its fillability. One of the walls of the pet will not be enough.
Between the floors you need to place the stairs.The tray that will serve as a toilet should be placed below. A bowl with a drinker is placed on the opposite side of the tray. On the second floor there is a small house, closed on all sides. In it is placed soft litter. In order for a pet to enter it, it is enough to make a hole with a diameter of fifteen centimeters. There the ferret will rest away from prying eyes. The role of the house will be played by a wooden box, ennobled with its own hands.
Sometimes an animal refuses to sleep in a woodenhouse. Then it should be built of cloth. The walls are sealed with foam rubber. On different floors there are devices for games in the form of balls, hanging toys, devices for the point of claws.
The role of a hammock in a cage
Animals like to spend time in suspendedfabric structures. Therefore, a cage for a ferret without a hammock is unthinkable. They are sold in stores ready, although in their production there is nothing complicated. You need a strong fabric and a reliable lacing. The size of the canvas should be thirty by thirty centimeters. Although it all depends on the size of the pet.
The process of making a soft hammock:
- fabric folds in half, stitched;
- an improvised tissue envelope is filled with sintepon or foam rubber;
- on the edge of sewing lacing.
Mounted hammock behind the bars with lacing.A window grille, located on the roof of the cage, will fit. If it is not, you need to drive four nails and bend them with loops. Less traumatic if you drill four holes in a cage and put lacing in them. A ferret can rest for a long time in this hammock itself or with his companion, if a couple lives in a cage. Hammocks in the dwelling may be several, hanging on different floors. This will increase the comfort for the pet even more.
Pipe system in a cage
In the natural habitat, animals buildThe burrows, which with all the moves stretch for a hundred meters. Homemade ferrets in the cage need to move a lot. To do this, they must be released from home for several hours a day. Another solution to the problem will be the pipe system. It can be purchased ready or made of plastic materials, the diameter of which is ten centimeters. They are sold in any construction shop, in the plumbing department. In addition, you need to purchase tees and adapters. The rotation of the pipe should be at an angle of 45 °. If you make the angle sharper, the ferret will get stuck. The construction is stretched through all floors, imitating the natural living conditions. You can take her out of the cell. Then there will be more places for walking.
The finished pipe system has its undeniable advantage, since it is made of transparent material. An animal can be observed when it moves inside it.
In general, the cell can be experimented with constantly. As ferrets are not inclined to chew their utensils, therefore such a construction will serve for a long time.
