Ikea Gorm for cage base?

[Kat]

I am considering making a new cage for my degus. Soon I will have 5 degus and as they grow the cage I have will not be suitable. I will have a pair of degus and a trio. I want them all to be in the same cage but the groups separated. If that makes sense.

I currently have 3 pets at home cages on top of each other. The pair of degus have the top cage and the left half of the middle cage. The trio will have the bottom cage and the other half of the middle cage.

I am thinking of getting 2 large gorm units from ikea and using these to make a new cage. It will be the same layout as the old one just bigger.



My cage now is 92cmW x 47cmD x 180cmH
The new one would be 156cmD x 55cmD x 174cmH

Anyway does anyone have and ideas on if this sort of shelving thing will work?

I would probably use wood to cover the back, bottom and most of the sides. I would use mesh for the front, top and vents on the sides.

I know that in Germany ikea is quite popular for animal cages. I have done some searching but cant really find any photos or info of the gorm for degus.

I understand that it would be cheaper to make a cage from scratch but it don't really get on very well with wood.
I figure if I have a pre-made frame so to speak I would have peice of mind that it wont fall down.

Kat

[nuttz]

kat, the first cage i built was from using a metal shelving unit as the base.. here is a link to my 1st cage..
deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=7222

i am currently in the first stages of building my second cage, basically using the same idea but this time bigger than my first.. another link...
deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=9370

i really love my first cage, its extremely strong and sturdy and was really easy to make, hubby made it in one day ;D i think using shelving units are a great idea, i love mine..
all i will say is..have a look around, maybe in argos, b&q etc.. you may find a bigger unit?

[nuttz]

ok, scrub that.. i just realized you said you were planning on buying two so i dont really think you have to find any bigger, but i guess it still pays to look around for the best deals

[fred]

Gorm and Ivar have been used as bases in Germany. If you google images you will find some examples. I can have a look what deguforum.de thinks about it tonight.

[Kat]

Thanks for the links I have had a quick look and they look really good. I will have a proper study of them later on.
The thing that actracted me to the gorm is the depth 55cm. The others that I have seen were about 30cm. Your right though, I will make sure that I have a proper look around at prices though before buying anything.

Kat
x

[Kat]

Thanks Fred. I have just done a search for Ivar and found a few good photos. I won't be making it until feburary so have lots of time to plan and convince the OH lol.

Kat
x

[Kat]

I have just worked it out and the CARA would be 42120