New Cage for Iggy

[CCP1083]

I got word that Chris is going to have to adopt Iggy out. I am excited in a way, and sad in another! I wish that he didnt have to, and that I could Ig Sit for him until he wants her back, but he would rather keep her stress levels down. I can understand. I am excited to get her. I will probably be getting her on the 5th of august. So i am gonna build a cage.

Here's what I am planning. 6X6X4

Peg board for the top, sides, and back ~ easy to put shelving and lighting in easier.

Some sort of board for the bottom, waterproofed-sealed and then laying some astroturf-(plastic outdorr grass stuff) down, not permanent, that way I can take it out if there is an accident and wash it with the hose.

for the front I will have some sort of mesh~screening (thick) with the door having the same material.

I will have a basking shelf to run along one of the sides and along the back with a ramp to the bottom.

I will have a separte shelf for the food and water.

I was thinking having the ramp go from the ground to the water dish then to the top shelf. I will cover them w/ the same astroturf stuff so they can be washed as well. I will put a blaked up on the basking area so she will be confortable.

I will put a litter box in there w/ water for her potty.

Probably put some colorful vines in~probably a hammock~and some toys.

Sorry so long, I drew a picture on PAINT on the computer, but not sure how to post it yet. I will try later on, as I dont have time right now. any suggestions? Changes?

[Kling]

i would say the blanket on the basking sheld b/c itr might start a fire i towl say some kind of cloth maby something that will not start a fire.

[Tesa]

You've put alot of thought into it. I can tell you are already in love with her. ;D
It sounds like a great house to me!
My girl has a blanket on her basking shelf. The temps should never be high enough to pose a fire hazard.

(I used pegboard for Thrasher's cage and I love it)

[CCP1083]

never thought of fire hazard myself on shelving cause i would never have it to a temperature to pose a fire. If its hot enough to pose a fire, you would think it would be too hot for the ig...CORRECT? I was planning on having a blanky on it anyway, but just the covering for protection of the wood and the ig. Thanks for all your imput!

[mar]

Well my entire cage is walled with lightweight cotton and I have no problems. The areas you have to worry about are those contacting lights and lamp bases. I use a small sheet of 1/2" ply with ceramic lamp bases wired on as my light board, 2x6 would also work. Over this is the broadcloth cage top. The top is taught around the edges of the cage and propped up over the ply about 3 inches.

A 75W lamp directly on cloth (ie bed sheet) will start a fire. My sophomore year of high school a reading lamp fell onto a girls bed starting a fire in her dorm room -- by happenstance half of my first hour algebra class was on her floor which made for an interesting start to the Saturday.

For those of you paranoid ones you can look for a fabric treated with a flame retardant -- look for little kid ones that meet the standards set by the CA pleasure police -- but then you have chemicals in the cage, oh no.

Mark