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Post by angel on Dec 25, 2023 17:59:09 GMT -8
im trying to build a diy stacking cage and having some trouble figuring out how to design the ventilation holes, i really want to do a slightly larger version of the holes in the images below but i’m afraid if i make them out of acrylic they will be able to chew through if they can reach them (which they definitely could reach if they climb on top of items in their cage). would that happen? would thicker acrylic be able to prevent them from being able to chew it? ibb.co/WVqD3Vnibb.co/nD9x144 |
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Post by gingerandbasilgerbil on Dec 25, 2023 19:33:42 GMT -8
I would suggest not using acrylic as a cage. Because this can not be a permanent structure even with out bigger air holes they will find ways to chew. I know that's hard but gerbils are a lot higher motivated then you would think. I had a very sturdy bin cage I had to replace because of there chewing. If you could make something like that out of a more solid material like glass or metal or wood holding up mesh and some way to add burrowing space that may work better. If you want to try it's fine, but I personally don't think that could work with acrylic at least
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Post by angel on Dec 25, 2023 21:01:04 GMT -8
I would suggest not using acrylic as a cage. Because this can not be a permanent structure even with out bigger air holes they will find ways to chew. I know that's hard but gerbils are a lot higher motivated then you would think. I had a very sturdy bin cage I had to replace because of there chewing. If you could make something like that out of a more solid material like glass or metal or wood holding up mesh and some way to add burrowing space that may work better. If you want to try it's fine, but I personally don't think that could work with acrylic at least maybe i’ll try to use glass on the sides with the air holes then, instead of acrylic. i’m building stacking cages out of an ikea pax dresser frame so i just need to add clear panels to the front and then put air holes somewhere on each level. my plan was to use acrylic for the front since it’s smooth and they won’t be able to chew it, but i’m still trying to figure out how to do the air holes on the sides without them being able to chew their way out lol 😅 |
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Post by gingerandbasilgerbil on Dec 26, 2023 6:53:27 GMT -8
Maybe put the air holes towards the top if the wood section. If I am thinking of that right(if there is wood on a Ikea pax). Or make the top of the cage something they can breathe through like mesh.
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Post by angel on Dec 26, 2023 8:51:55 GMT -8
Maybe put the air holes towards the top if the wood section. If I am thinking of that right(if there is wood on an Ikea pax). Or make the top of the cage something they can breathe through like mesh. yes the whole unit is made of finished wood, i was originally going to just drill holes in the side panels but then realized that if they can reach them (which they will) they can just chew right through that. so now i’m thinking of cutting out rectangles in each side and on each level and replacing it with acrylic or glass that has air holes in them. unfortunately i can’t put air holes on the top because there isn’t any space between the cages below and above, so they have to go on the sides |
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Dec 26, 2023 9:14:05 GMT -8
I have some enclosures with ventilation gaps like that and the gerbils haven't chewed them. I think if you make the gaps no wider than about 1cm or a bit less, the risk of chewing is quite low. Acrylic is very tough and not that easy for gerbils to chew.
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Post by Markpd on Dec 30, 2023 4:16:12 GMT -8
angelA different question, is this stacked cage going to be used to house gerbils separate on each level, or will all the levels be joined like your 2nd photo for the gerbils to access any level? I just ask, because if it's the latter, the separate levels could likely cause territorial behaviour and de-clanning.... I'm also intrigued as to how you will put small holes into glass?
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Post by angel on Jan 3, 2024 18:09:26 GMT -8
angelA different question, is this stacked cage going to be used to house gerbils separate on each level, or will all the levels be joined like your 2nd photo for the gerbils to access any level? I just ask, because if it's the latter, the separate levels could likely cause territorial behaviour and de-clanning.... I'm also intrigued as to how you will put small holes into glass? happy new year! the unit is going to house separate groups on each level. and i haven’t figured out how i’m going to drill the holes yet, but i’m sure i’ll figure something out  |
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Post by Markpd on Jan 5, 2024 17:10:05 GMT -8
Happy new year  I didn't think holes could be drilled into glass, but then again I'm no DIY expert and Haven't looked into it either! |
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Post by angel on Jan 6, 2024 18:03:19 GMT -8
Happy new year I didn't think holes could be drilled into glass, but then again I'm no DIY expert and Haven't looked into it either! they definitely can, especially with acrylic/plexiglass since it’s technically just plastic |
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Post by Markpd on Jan 7, 2024 9:32:10 GMT -8
Yea I know, I was talking about glass not plastic, as you were |
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