by Thom W. Conroy

Created on: September 16, 2009

In a harsh economic atmosphere a pet owner can save a good deal of money by building their own ferret cage. The advantages other than monetary are that by making a ferret cage yourself it can be customized to the proper size and made just the way you see fit. Compared to a commercially purchased ferret cage that can easily cost over $200, a homemade ferret cage is usually less than $50 to make, is larger and with effort is better constructed. One of the best aspects of making your own ferret cage lies in the fact that as it begins to show signs of wear, it can be repaired easily and prevent the necessity to purchase another.

Basic materials to make your ferret cage are a two foot by three foot piece of plywood, about 16 board feet of 2x4's, twelve feet of chicken wire with one inch holes, and six vinyl flooring tiles. Cut six piece of 2x4's to a length of two feet, and simply use wood screws to connect them in an upright position to the plywood base on the three foot side. Cut two pieces of 2x4's to a length of three feet and screw them to the upright pieces to serve as braces. On the ends, cut two pieces of 2x4's to a length of two feet to serve as cross-members, and the frame is complete. To make a top to the ferret cage, simply take a measurement of the top of the frame and make a duplicate four-sided top, attach the chicken wire securely, and set it aside until later.

Now that the frame and top have been completed, take one piece of self-adhering vinyl tile at a time and press them firmly onto the plywood base. This is to protect the wood base from spills and stains, and will aid in lengthening the life of the ferret cage. Measure each of the four sides of the ferret cage and cut a piece of chicken wire for each, adding and extra six inches in length. Fasten each piece of chicken wire using finishing nails hammered half into the wood and bent over, or use U-nails, and then trim the excess chicken wire using wire cutters. Set the top of the cage into place, and attach it to the main ferret cage using two medium sized hinges. Your ferret cage is complete - put in food, water, a liter box and some toys and your ferret will love it's new home.

The size of a ferret cage can be made larger of smaller to fit personal tastes, and can even be adapted to include several tiers to accommodate a family of ferrets. In any case it is important to remember to make a ferret cage large enough to provide enough space for the animal to live comfortably, and leave enough room for a few toys or tunnels.

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