Cage Materials

[saddlers]

Cage Building Materials

The following is a detailed review of the materials that can be used when building a DIY cage, or when providing shelving in a commercial cage. There is also guidance on the use and fixing of shelf edging materials.

Edging techniques
Some shelving materials are only safe when suitably edge protected with kiln dried pine. When edging shelves, it is important to choose an edge fixing that provides suitable protection. Face fixing the edging minimises the risk of degus being able to bite at the shelving material. Edging which is fixed from underneath leaves the edge of the shelf exposed to biting and with some shelving materials this can expose the degus to potentially harmful chemicals, unless an alternative method of edge protection is used, such as galvanised thin coat angle bead.



Edging materials

General planed softwood for indoor use in DIY stores is likely to be kiln dried pine, it is only rough sawn timber or some other mouldings which may be a different type of timber (hardwoods, tanalised timber etc). Rough sawn timber is discouraged mainly due to the fact that it will have a high moisture content and as a result could contain fungus/mould which could be harmful to degus, and may still contain harmful volatile compounds from the sap if not kiln dried. Some hardwoods can create harmful dusts that can create breathing difficulties, also timbers that are tanalised may be unsafe due to chemicals added.

Kiln dried pine or Aspen	CLS(Canadian lumber size)	Tanalised timber	Hardwood
General planed softwood (also known as planed redwood). Commonly used for floorboards, tongue and groove cladding, timber architraves/skirting boards.	Fast growing pine, usually identified by its rounded edges comes in limited sizes (50 x75mm size is ideal).	Pressure treated timber usually has a green/brown appearance for external use (decking, tiling lath etc).	Used for feature timber/mouldings. Oak, aspen, fruit woods may be available and are safe.
Suitable for all areas in a degu cage, safe for gnawing.	Very cheap compared to standard kiln dried pine. Safe for gnawing	Most treatments contain toxins, but some treatments for cage/hutch building are safe. Assume these products are UNSAFE unless clearly  indicated as pet safe	Multiple varieties from various trees, many are listed in the safe tree/wood list on the forum. However certain species can be unsuitable for degus and can produce dusts that can affect breathing.

Shelving/flooring materials

Material >	Chipboard	Laminated chipboard	Medium density fibreboard	Blockboard	Plywood (2)	Oriented strand board	Laminate flooring	Timberboard	Matchboard/T&G floorboard
Also known as>	Particle board	Melamine, conti-board, furniture board	MDF			OSB, sterling board, aspenite			Tongue and groove cladding/traditional floor board
Description>	Chipboard is made by mixing recycled wood particles and paper particles with chemicals to form a slurry, which when heated and compressed forms chipboard. The result is a rigid board with a relatively smooth surface	Chipboard that has been finished with a surface veneer	A sheet board creating by compressing wood fibres that are mixed with wax and resin. A much denser sheet material that is generally stronger than chipboard.	A sheet board creating by sandwiching softwood strips between two sheets of veneer (plywood)	A sheet board creating by sandwiching layers of veneer (thin sheets of wood together)	A sheet board creating by compressing layers of wood flakes together	Laminate faced chipboard or laminate faced MDF in strips or squares used as a flooring material	Timber sheet material made by joining softwood strips along their length (laminated timber)	Timber with a groove cut along one edge, and a tongue machined on the other that slot together to form a cladding/flooring material.
Photo>
Toxic>	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If eaten (1)	If joints exposed (1)	No
Moisture/ urine resistant>	Not as standard although water resistant versions can be obtained (usually green in colour)	Yes, except on edges without veneer	Not as standard although moisture resistant versions can be obtained (usually green in colour)	Partially, although urine will be absorbed and is likely to stain and create smells.	Partially, although urine will be absorbed and is likely to stain and create smells.	Partially, although urine will be absorbed and is likely to stain and create smells, uneven surface is also difficult to clean	Yes, except on edges without veneer, although moisture resistant versions can be obtained (usually green in colour)	Yes, although urine will be absorbed and is likely to stain and create smells.	Yes, although urine will be absorbed and is likely to stain and create smells.
Degradation>	Will degrade quickly if exposed to moisture, by absorbing moisture and swelling (unless moisture resistant version used)	Will degrade quickly if edges without veneer are exposed to moisture, by absorbing moisture and swelling.	Degrades quickly when wet by absorbing moisture and swelling	Will degrade eventually through exposure to moisture, but WBP (weather & boil proof)versions will last for years even if located outside	Will degrade eventually through exposure to moisture, but WBP (weather & boil proof)versions will last for years even if located outside	Will degrade eventually through exposure to moisture.	Will degrade eventually through exposure to moisture (unless moisture resistant version used)	Will not generally degrade through exposure to moisture unless for prolonged periods	Will not generally degrade through exposure to moisture unless for prolonged periods
Suitable as un-edged shelving/ flooring>	No, unless no edges are exposed	No, unless no edges are exposed	No, unless no edges are exposed	No, unless no edges are exposed	No, unless no edges are exposed	No	No, unless no edges are exposed	Yes	Yes
Suitable as edged shelving>	No, unless moisture resistant	Yes	No, unless moisture resistant	Yes, but urine may stain/smell	Yes, but urine may stain/smell	No	Yes, but joints may be prone to nibbling	Yes	Yes
Suitable as edging material>	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Suitable for ramps etc>	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Suitable for cage structure/ lining>	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes, as long as no corners/edges are exposed	Yes	Yes, but is liable to biting at the joints
Prone to biting>	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Everywhere due to uneven surface	Yes, along joints	Yes on exposed edges/corners	Yes on exposed edges/corners
Material>	Chipboard	Laminated chipboard	MDF	Blockboard	Plywood	OSB	Laminate flooring	Timberboard	Matchboard

Notes -
1. Some of the above materials can be purchased in non-toxic format, but it should be assumed that formaldehyde is present and the material is toxic unless specifically stated by the supplier.
2. Should ideally be 12mm thick or sagging is likely to occur, for spans in excess of 600mm plywood of 15mm or 18mm thickness may be more suitable.