|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2017 21:13:45 GMT
I was browsing Google images and discovered this:  It looks like it uses some sort of paper but I'm unsure what kind. My guess is that I could make the skeleton of it with chicken wire then cover it with some sort of hard setting mixture with sand or something mixed in. Any tips or ideas on how I could do this? |
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Sept 12, 2017 3:35:05 GMT
WHOA!! COOL!!
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Sept 12, 2017 9:43:39 GMT
I have come across pics and ideas like this and we discussed it years ago on the forum and also a couple of months ago with darthchinchi, I've had a look but I can't find the thread. Basically it comes down to finding a suitable material that is chew proof or chew safe and won't absorb pee and is also cleanable - it's pretty hard to tick all those boxes. In the thread years ago one of us had found a link to a german product that seemed to be suitable, but I don't think it was available in the UK. You could experiment with 'strong' flour and water like paper mache. You could try concrete. I think for any burrows you would need to make them so the top lifts off for cleaning. And bear in mind that if you make solid burrows the goos will hang out in there and you won't be able to see them. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2017 12:06:21 GMT
deguconvert, I know right!! moletteuk, I think know what thread your talking about. I'll have a little look for suitable things to use. Anybody know how I could dye/stain/paint the surface to a light sandy brown colour?
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Sept 12, 2017 12:13:48 GMT
Tea?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2017 12:59:38 GMT
Hmm never thought of using tea. Would it be suitable? I guess it's the smell that may bother them at first until it dies down.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2017 15:29:57 GMT
Might adapt this idea a little and not use paper mache or concrete and instead build something similar out of wood. It'll be more of a series of modular houses than one piece but it should be easier to make and clean and I could attach bendy bridges to them etc. Also, I may actually do what I was going to do before and make 2 extra full length levels and replace the half length ones that came with the cage. I'll post a sketch later on.
|
|
|
|
Post by darthchinchi on Sept 12, 2017 18:29:05 GMT
There's a couple of different options with this type of "background".
Your best bet would be to browse reptile sites or aquarium sites.
We have something called makemake here. It's a type of modelling concrete where you can mix i and colours and build a background in it. It is possible to buy something made for plaster in wet rooms (can't remember the brand). It's a lot cheaper and you get the same result when mixing in colour/pigment.
First you need to do the whole thing in something like chicken wire and papmaché or polystyrene. I do believe some use that foam thing you can buy and use to insolation too. They spray it where they want it, and after it's extended they carve out the basic shape. You also need to carve out the basic shape in the polystyrene.
Then you cover with a layer of clay/cement mix (the correct none toxic types) mixed to the colour of your choice.
I've been thinking og this for years. My main issue is when making caves for them, they need to be easy to get to and clean out. It would be a problem if an animal got sick and it wasn't possible to get at it because of the construction. But if it didn't contain caves, it might be a possibility. Still it would be best if it could be taken out if you need to fix the cage, need to move it or the like.
There's a lot of things to think about when doing a project like this.
I wouldn't use paper with out putting something on top, as you need some form of glue to make it stick, and I personally wouldn't want my animals to maybe chew it.
There's also the option to buy termite sand. It's a type of sand you can form with your hands or animals can dig into, when wet, but as it dries out it hardens and becomes a solid form. This might be a fun thing to look into with caves
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2017 20:09:18 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Bexi87 on Sept 13, 2017 7:31:02 GMT
I just have a load of rocks in the bottom of my cage. Saves the hassle and I just remove them when I'm cleaning. Luckily my cage doesn't move so weight isn't a problem
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Sept 14, 2017 9:41:03 GMT
I think rocks and a digging box and lots of hiding places can achieve a similar type of enrichment to the habitat in a more practical way - it seems to be the conclusion that many of us have come to. It would be great to see this type of rocky set up in a way that has the drawbacks figured out, it does give a great, wild look.
|
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Sept 14, 2017 16:39:01 GMT
If you know someone near the seaside, ask them to find you some BIG pebbles. They're then smooth already. I think some garden centres sell them too.
|
|
|
|
Post by degulover21 on Sept 14, 2017 22:23:15 GMT
I have no pebbles in my cages etc
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Sept 16, 2017 16:27:32 GMT
It's not compulsory! You could look for some interesting rocks if you are walking near a river, if you wanted to. I wouldn't say mine love their rocks any more than the other things that provide a perch to stand on, so plant pots and logs work just as well.
|
|
