Twilight Chinchillas
Zookeeper extraordinaire
Just thinking if the Ferret Nation crew has their own club, how about the DIY melamine cage people? Lets see of those cages!!!!
The DIY Melamine Cage Club =)
- Thread starter Twilight Chinchillas
- Start date
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chinchillalover0927
to many chin chips??
i think this thread is a good idea, im considering making melamine cages and would love to see everyones cage setups
Twilight Chinchillas
Zookeeper extraordinaire
It's a cage made out of melamine. Kind of like cabinets and such. It's a solid built cage on all sides, top and bottom with a wire framed door in front. It really keeps the mess down! I'll try and post some pictures of my set up to get going. Mine are nothing fancy. Dawn's (ticklechin) cages are awesome! i decided to tile the bottom of mine after seeing hers.
Here is a thread with some cages. http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23633
Here is a thread with some cages. http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23633
caiti
Well-known member
I think I've already posted all the pics of my cage in other threads, hehe. I have an album in my profile though. Though mine only has one solid side since I wanted more air flow, so it's less melamine than most others but I guess it still technically qualifies.
I know there are a bunch of people with absolutely amazing homemade melamine cages here. They probably get sick of everyone ogling them and asking them if they would make them one, haha.
I know there are a bunch of people with absolutely amazing homemade melamine cages here. They probably get sick of everyone ogling them and asking them if they would make them one, haha.
momenteller
Well-known member
Wow, Caiti, I don't remember seeing Chloe's cage before. She is one spoiled little lady!
I love the looks of the melamine cages. I wish I or the hubby were handy!
I love the looks of the melamine cages. I wish I or the hubby were handy!
greychins
NWI Chinchillas
Hey! I finally belong to one of these exclusive cage clubs! Omg I belong, who-hoo!!! Haha just kidding.
I've had my melamine cage for about 4 years now, built it over a weekend with a friend. It's a few inches shy of being the same size as the QC townhome.
Here's how it was when we first built it...
Over time, the pine wood darkened naturally. I also realized that not having an actual pan wasn't going to cut it, and ordered a custom-sized pan from Bass Equip. Also took out one of the shelves to add in a ChinSpin.
LOVE the cage. Just wish it wasn't so heavy.
I've had my melamine cage for about 4 years now, built it over a weekend with a friend. It's a few inches shy of being the same size as the QC townhome.
Here's how it was when we first built it...
Over time, the pine wood darkened naturally. I also realized that not having an actual pan wasn't going to cut it, and ordered a custom-sized pan from Bass Equip. Also took out one of the shelves to add in a ChinSpin.
LOVE the cage. Just wish it wasn't so heavy.
ETC
HOME OF EXTREME MOSAICS!
My chin cages are all melamine....right now I have large ones and two shorter maternity cages....they aren't fancy but boy they are easy to clean, and it keeps the poop inside the cage instead of all over the floor like wire cages....love them! but yes they are HEAVY.
ticklechin
Well-known member
Here are mine!
Twilight Chinchillas
Zookeeper extraordinaire
Tell me about it! I just picked up a melamine cage on Craigslist for $50. It's 4 feet wide, and 24 inches tall, and 24 deep. Plus have the 2 baby cages to bring down 13 stairs.... I'd rather give birth!!! Not looking forward to that chore! They will be nice once this butt gets them completed, and decked out.
Lillie_Chilla
New member
Okay, I may have missed this little bit of info in the thread, but for those of you who have actually built one of these cages yourself, how much- roughly- did you have in the supplies for building?
ticklechin
Well-known member
$180.00 approx per cage for mine.
greychins
NWI Chinchillas
I think mine was a little over $220 - but that was partly because I didn't have any supplies here. If I was to build another one, now I have the rest of the roll of hardware cloth, the box of screws, etc, etc - it'd be considerably cheaper for me to build a second one. Not to mention now I wouldn't mess up on measurements the second time around...
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Lillie_Chilla
New member
Okay, awesome! :] I might start to buy things here and there... I just feel like I can't do exactly what I want with my current cage. We'll see how things go! Thank you both for replying so quickly. :dance3:
Twilight Chinchillas
Zookeeper extraordinaire
Keep an eye out at some of the hardware stores like Lowes etc. I found sheets of melamine for $2 a board on discount! This was for approx 4x4 pieces. I just had to buy one more piece, and made 2 baby chin melamine cages for $50 total in supplies. It's true once you buy the roll of wire, the cost goes down lower the next time you find yourself building another one. I think the extra storage under the cages if nifty too, if you don't have many animals.
chinchillalover0927
to many chin chips??
I'm so excited. I'm having my melamine cages built rite now. I'm hoping to have then done really soon... ill post pics when I get them home.
Twilight Chinchillas
Zookeeper extraordinaire
Going to bump this thread! Hey after all we need a melamine club since the FN people have theirs! LOL
Also, Dawn if your out there reading this, when you put down the tiles, did you use any type of grout sealer so the urine didn't soak into the grout? I still have 5 boxes of left over tile from a kitchen project went horribly wrong. (290# kid jumping up and down!) Might as well put them to use this fall!
Also, Dawn if your out there reading this, when you put down the tiles, did you use any type of grout sealer so the urine didn't soak into the grout? I still have 5 boxes of left over tile from a kitchen project went horribly wrong. (290# kid jumping up and down!) Might as well put them to use this fall!
