Well we've discovered Hope is in the early stages of malloclusion. Our vet wants her to put some more weight on before he puts her under and files down her teeth. Right now she'll eat grass, pellets and chaff and thats about it. Obviously an hour a day of grass isnt really going to cut it, and it would have to be late in the afternoon, because I don't get home from school until five o' clock due to havig to travel, and my Mum has an exhibition just beginning in Sydney so shes ultra busy.
So we built this cage, she spends about 8 hours a day in it, unless the weather changes, in which case my Dad who works from home will bring her back in.
The wire area measures 120 x 60 cm, which equals about eight square feet. It used to be a normal home made cage, with a corflute liner. But as I've upgraded most cages, this one wasnt needed and was stored in the shed. I cut into the bottom and folded the bottom pieces up to the sides to strengthen them, they are then fastened to the sides using these metal links my Dad found in Bunnings which are like small circles of wire, that you use a tool to fasten, so they become a thick piece of wire wrapped around something.
The blanket on the side, is some type of fabric (I cant remember the name) which we use outside because it dosn't hold water, provides excellent shade and cant be torn.
The enclosed area is made up of two tubs, one right side up with a clip on lid which acts as the enclosed area, and another upside down one which sits on top. The one that sits on top is because obviosuly the tubs being palstic they gather heat. Because of the top one, all the heat gathers in it, leaving the cage part nice and cool. The cage part measures 35 x 60 cm just over two square feet, and has two wire panels in it to prevent ammonia build up-
Oh, the pavers around the cages are because I'm absolutely paranoid. I need my dad to help move this cage, and the lids all are clipped down. It's not likley a slightly odd (he was abused so is cared of the weirdest things) maltese who's scared of guinea pigs and is lazy as and a seventeen year old Labrodor whos deaf and blind would take interest in her. We live in such a remote place, that in the last 15 years we've only had two cats come through (both of which were feral and caught and taken to the pound).
She never ever spends the night i this cage, we are still just coming out of winter (the days are nice and warm but the nights cold) and the dew is everywhere in the morning, I have no wish to give her pneoumonia, shes dosn't go outside until the dews fully gone.
So what do you think?
Emma
Outdoor Environments
08-25-06, 09:02 pm
