Build your own cage?

Is there anyone out there who knows where I can find blueprints to build my own cage? I have seen huge wooden cages and I think my gliders would love the space. Thanks, Allison.

wooden cages arent exactly the wisest way to go...

Yes, if you use wood, make sure that it's done in a way that the gliders can't get to the wood part to chew on it. You also have to make sure it's a type of wood that isn't toxic to them if they did find a way to get to it (they might even lick it if they couldn't get their teeth on it). Wolmanized or treated wood is a big no-no because it has chemicals in it, I believe including arsenic.

If you go to the top of the page, under the "GC Links" button, go down to GC links again and there is a link to the "cage building page". That gives a plan for an all wire cage that's pretty nice. You can make it whatever size you want.

Wood is a fine material to build large cages out of. There are some down sides though. Wood cages need to be made out of a non toxic wood (pine will work fine). The wood also needs to properly be sealed with either shellac or polyurithane. It takes 4-5 coats to properly seal the wood. This should be done PRIOR to cage assembly. If the wood is not properly sealed, urine will soak in and (1) rot the wood, (2) STINK.

I have a large cage that actually has a divider to make it into two cages. They are pretty easy to build but it does take a week just to prepare the wood. If you are serious about wanting to build a wood framed cage, pm me and I will help you with the design. (my hubby is a carpenter and we can draw up some plans for you)

You also need to decide what type of "wire" you are going to want to use. I used all plastic hardware cloth. Peggy used heavy weight pet screen. Both of these will work ONLY if you don't have gliders that like to chew.

Making wood framed cages take quite a bit of time to build properly but can be quite attactive when completed.

Keep in mind too that wood framed cages are heavy so you need to consider how you are going to clean it once it is built. (steam cleaners work great)

I forgot to say, welcome to GC! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif" alt="" />

By the way, I'm planning to build an all PVC coated wire cage myself in the very near future, and also build a couple extra ones to sell to make up a little of the cost of building the first one. I'm hoping to sell them at the Sugar Glider Retreat here in Austin (actually Round Rock) in February.

I said you can make that wire cage any size you want, but if you make it a lot bigger, you need to make sure the wire you use is nice and stiff. I'm getting mine from www.klubertanz.com They offer 1/2" by 1" in 14 gauge and 16 gauge. The smaller the number, the stiffer/thicker the wire. I haven't decided whether to order the 16 gauge or if I need 14. My cage is going to be 48" tall by 33" wide by 16" deep. The Container Store has a plastic bin (their long underbed box) I'm using for a drop tray that the cage will set inside of for $14.99.

Good luck!

Oh, and make sure you don't use galvanized wire. There are a couple of posts about that on the board recently if you don't know about that whole issue.

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Wood is a fine material to build large cages out of. There are some down sides though. Wood cages need to be made out of a non toxic wood (pine will work fine). The wood also needs to properly be sealed with either shellac or polyurithane. It takes 4-5 coats to properly seal the wood. This should be done PRIOR to cage assembly. If the wood is not properly sealed, urine will soak in and (1) rot the wood, (2) STINK.

I have a large cage that actually has a divider to make it into two cages. They are pretty easy to build but it does take a week just to prepare the wood. If you are serious about wanting to build a wood framed cage, pm me and I will help you with the design. (my hubby is a carpenter and we can draw up some plans for you)

You also need to decide what type of "wire" you are going to want to use. I used all plastic hardware cloth. Peggy used heavy weight pet screen. Both of these will work ONLY if you don't have gliders that like to chew.

Making wood framed cages take quite a bit of time to build properly but can be quite attactive when completed.

Keep in mind too that wood framed cages are heavy so you need to consider how you are going to clean it once it is built. (steam cleaners work great)

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First let me say Welcome to GC!

I definitely agree with Dancing – I made huge mistakes when I built my first cage, the wood was not treated properly, the wrong metal caging, did not plane for a proper drop tray… definitely get the advice of someone that has don’t this and done it well ….

Good luck.. and welcome.. we built ours with a pvc frame and vinyl coated hardware cloth... and the girls love it... we are actually planning on building a second one when we get the pair of boy joeys Bill wants (they'll be neutered!)

Here are the instructions when using wood for a frame to a cage. If not followed properly, you will wind up with a smelly cage down the road that you will have to replace.

First of all, good luck on your project.

When using wood for the frame of your cage, you can use pine (although I would recommend using white pine instead of yellow pine, either will work though.)

1)Be sure to cut all pieces to the size that you will be needing first.
2)Sand each piece very very well, and dust off all sawdust/dirt.
3)Coat each piece with a coat of either Poly-Urethane or Shellac. Allow to dry a full 24 hours.(this is A VERY important step through this whole project.)
4)Take 1500 grit sandpaper and lightly sand down each piece after allowing it to dry completely.
5)Apply another coat of Poly. Once again allow 24 hours to dry.
Repeat steps 3-5 until you have applied minimum 5 coats.

After completely coated, put frame work together and complete cage!

This will make for very easy cleaning and a long living cage.
As much as I love working with wood and love things made out of wood, for most people I recommend they use pvc piping to make the frame out of. One it is lighter and two many people do not follow all steps for they are in a hurry to finish the cage and wind up with a nice looking cage that holds in the urine which leads to constant smell.

I highly advise anyone that is planning on using wood for their frames to give themselves a minimum of a week just to get the frame work together and ready to go. If you do not have that long, please choose a different type of frame for your suggies. It will make everyone happier in the long run.

Oh, I want to add to Peggy's directions. If you want a different look, you can take a propane torch and lightly burn the wood to bring out the grain. It give is a very nice natural multi hue coloring.

Thanks for all of the great info. You have given me a lot to work with. Allison

Speaking of cages dear.. I think that it's time we started planning the new one.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"And what else is cute and cuddly besides gliders?"
"MORE GLIDERS!!"

I thought it was going to be a duplicate of the first one! so no plans needed just time to build it! though I do want to change one thing- how the cross bracing goes in for the spots above and below the door! I have that plotted already

You can use wire and zip ties or metal cage ties. I bought a huge roll of wire that was 3 feet wide and I cute 4 7 foot pieces and then zip tied it together, I then cut a top and a bottom as well as 8 shelves for them to climb on and they love it. I had a tray and stand made at a metal shop all for about $200 bucks, see my post NEW AWESOME CAGE.