Minimum space between levels

[savvy]

I'm thinking of modifying my aventura cages by adding one full level and one 3/4 level in each section.

Does anyone know if this will make each level too low or will it be ok.

At the moment I can only increase the half level to a 3/4 due to the wheel, but can get an extra full level in if I drop the height.

[moletteuk]

I have this link to dugumomofmany's cage which she added a full extra level and then has a couple of items mid-height, so might help you picture it deguworld.proboards.com/thread/6918/show-cage?page=32

[bouncy]

My lot had a low level in their old setup. They kind of liked it because they could be stealthy. As long as they can stand up on their hind legs elsewhere, I can't see a problem.

[winic1]

I had various height levels, the lowest was about 6-7 inches, 15-18 cm, and they liked those lower, darker, spaces for making nests in, and food stashes.Especially nests. Would end up eventually packing it full of a giant hay and fiber heap to use as a giant nest. We'd leave it as it got that big, as they did not pee in it, and only did minimal poos in it.

[savvy]

Thanks guys!

I've worked out the sizes I need but have a couple more questions; can you please tell me if mdf will be OK, obviously I'm going to cover it, and do I need 6mm or 9mm thickness?

[deguconvert]

As with anything, the bigger or thicker the item, the heavier it will be, and I find MDF very heavy. I think you need to consider that potential weight if you are going to be moving the cage around at all. It would be interesting to know what kind of weight difference it would make in the overall . . . but I'm not sure how you would figure that out? Is strength part of the question? Most MDF is stupid strong . . . so that might not really make much of a difference.

How do you plan to secure it in place?

[moletteuk]

I wouldn't go less than 9mm.

[bouncy]

I've used 16-18mm furniture board, adding metal edges with both glue (to seal the edge) and screws. I agree boards can get heavy, though!

[savvy]

OK I know this doesn't happen often, but I've had an idea. I still have Dixie's aventura cage, so if I use the centre grill I can put a full level in if I bolt it in place. There is also a bottom grill, but I'd need to cut a hole in for access for to the other levels.

There are four side sections which fit inside the cage so that gives me 4 almost 3/4 levels, again bolted in place. Then there are the doors which can also be utilised.

As they are grills they will need covering, but this can be done with a thinner wood topped with adhesive floor tiles.

This should keep the weight down AND give both cages extra levels.

Thoughts?

[bouncy]

It's a lot of work to achieve the same result, and you won't have a spare cage, should you need it. I know you're reliant on taxis but, if you have a Homebase nearby, they can cut the board for you. If you use MDF, you can probably get away with 12mm?

[savvy]

I only have the bare bones of the cage now anyway. The metal trays were put into Reggies cage to replace hers and the half level supports have also been used. Reggie is a bit of a pee-er and her original ones rusted.

The issue I have with using 12mm MDF is that I cannot physically lift it, it's too heavy for me to move into place even after it's been cut to size. Plus at 4ft 10in it would be impossible for me to do the upper section as I can't climb steps so I need something that's easy for me and suitable for the degus. This is why I thought about using the remainder of Dixies cage.

[bouncy]

You can get some good deals online for perspex? Just stick some metal edges on, hey presto! I had a whole level made of it in the Liberta and, because of aluminium edges, it didn't have to be thick and rigid because the metal effectively fixed it. Oh, and no rust potential (which is why I chose the option).

Just throwing a few other ideas out there