chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 hello everyone ive just started building a ferret hutch but im unsure about how big i should make there sleeping area? i havnt got any ferrets yet but il most likely only get 2 the hutch is 8ft x 2ft x 2ft should i make the sleeping area 2 ft square? i was thinking that might be a bit big and they might not be able to warm that area up enough? or i could make it 1ft wide/high and 2ft deep and have a tube running to the area below it with a small door to keep them out the play area when cleaning out the rest of the hutch because of where the hutch is going there wont be enough room for a door on the front to open out fully so il be having 2 hinged access areas on the top, one for there sleeping area and another for the play area for easy cleaning, i will also get some sort of waterproof plastic sheet to stop any water coming in through the hinged access pannels on the play area end ive made it so i can slide the end pannel in/out so i can just sweep it out into a tray for easy cleaning also how much of the front should i cut out to add mesh? 6ftx near on 2ft ? or smaller? any suggestions/ideas are welcome heres a pic of it so far , il update this thread as i go until its finished all the best Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I would allow a fair bit to be meshed or they wont be getting much natural light, are you having the top as a lift off lid type ? Quote Link to post
The one 8,592 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I reckon 2 foot square would be fine for a sleeping area and 6 foot of mesh on the front Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 hello Kay i was going to have the 2 part lid on hinges so i can just lean it back against the wall rather than sliding it off and atleast then itl be on there solid so they cant escape with locks on the front il also paint he inside of the play area white to brighten it up a bit but they should get a fair bit of light with the meshed front Quote Link to post
stubby 175 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I presume the picture, has the cage laying on its back, if so, then the floor is OSB board, which will blow very quickly once damp gets in, even if painted, a 18" to 24" bed area is ample, filled with woodchip and straw, ferts use each others body heat, I have 13 that sleep all in a 24" square box in the outside court, ignoring the warmer inside compartments Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 thanks The one i think il go with that then Quote Link to post
Halfinch 51 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 I presume the picture, has the cage laying on its back, if so, then the floor is OSB board, which will blow very quickly once damp gets in, even if painted,a 18" to 24" bed area is ample, filled with woodchip and straw, ferts use each others body heat, I have 13 that sleep all in a 24" square box in the outside court, ignoring the warmer inside compartments Come on Stubbs read properly, the cage is up the right way, he's going to cut out on one side for mesh and put a hinged lid on it. I'd say the larger the mesh panel the better mate, and make sure you put the cage on bearers or it'll soak in water and rot as well. Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 hello Stubby the box will be sat as pictured but on blocks i just didnt have a jig saw and was unsure how much to cut out for mesh the bottom is ?1/2"? 3/4"marine ply i thought that would be better for a base than the external chipboard? i was going to make the lid with it too will the marine ply and external chipboard be ok? il be painting it all and have some sort of plastic/perspex type cover on top Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 cheers Halfinch what sort of size mesh would be best? as in size holes? ive got some chicken mesh but id imagine that wont be much use so wasnt planning on using it Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 If I were you Chalkedup I would lose the chipboard and swap it for ply, also ply the ends, roll it onto the tape measure side and then plan your mesh doors and frontage. Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 hello stealthy1 its osb2 board it said for external use? , will it realy be that bad once painted? it was the only external board i seen in b&q i just had the marine ply in the garage so chose to use tha for top & bottom instead,so still got a full sheet of the osb2 i dont mind redoing it in say 2-3 years but id prefer not to have to go and buy more now as ive already bought it Quote Link to post
stealthy1 3,964 Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 hello stealthy1its osb2 board it said for external use? , will it realy be that bad once painted? it was the only external board i seen in b&q i just had the marine ply in the garage so chose to use tha for top & bottom instead,so still got a full sheet of the osb2 i dont mind redoing it in say 2-3 years but id prefer not to have to go and buy more now as ive already bought it I used it once, when it gets wet it turns into weetabix even if you paint it, ferrets will just dig their way out, if you can change it for ply, then I would do it, and then paint it. Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 (edited) well i guess atleast i know now the stupid thing is i was going to get some ply to do it but my neighbour said that the osb stuff would be spot on for it but hes not known for his workmanship even in his own trade so i should of known and gone with what i thought would be better ive got a 8x3 + two 2x3 & 8x1 pieces of marine ply left in the garage so if i cut down the 8x3 i can use the two 8x1`s on the back plus i think ive got some odd bits n bobs out there to enclose the front of the sleeping area so il just mesh the whole remaining 6ft front Edited January 3, 2009 by chalkedup Quote Link to post
The one 8,592 Posted January 4, 2009 Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 cheers Halfinchwhat sort of size mesh would be best? as in size holes? ive got some chicken mesh but id imagine that wont be much use so wasnt planning on using it Get yourself some good quaility inch mesh stick a couple of paddlocks on it and your ferrets should be safe mate Quote Link to post
chalkedup 14 Posted January 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2009 cheers The One il go get some today, ive got some clasps so i can add a couple of locks no problem should get it re-started/finished today i was half expecting to have to wait till breeding season to get a couple of ferrets as there dont seem to be much going at the moment but luckily one of the local lads on here is going to sort me out a ferret this week, should find out if its definite today so fingers crossed thanks everyone Quote Link to post
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