Ferret Nation pics, everybody post your FNs here!!

[Scubbs]

I haven't posted in forever since I've been so sick (still am, but slowly getting better!), so here are some FN pictures I took a few days ago 









I'm going to be making a couple modifications to the cage, and also investing in a (really cute) vinyl shower curtain for behind the cage, since I didn't realize just how MUCH gets out of the cage and onto the wall with a wire cage (since I had my homemade cage for years).

Along with that, I have about 40 hammocks all cut up and ready to be sewn!  So, those pictures will probably be next once I finish sewing 

[mandycoot]

Stop shaming us Chelsey!! Your cage setups are always droolworthy. Bye bye ferret boat though.

I will probably head to Ikea before too long.  Does anyone know if they still sell those cool plastic bag storage things?  They are awesome turned on their back to make a long tunnel with access holes.

I know what you're talking about and last time I was there (around Christmas) they still had them. I should have picked one up -- my kiddos loooove their crinkle tunnel but those are tons more durable.

I also have the hanging mesh storage organizers from the kids' department that Gemma mentioned. Those are tons of fun and if you get short ones or cut them they fit well in the FN.

[jorats]

SoA, I just love seeing pics of your cage!! Sorry that you are not feeling well. 

Mandycoot, what do you mean bye bye ferret boat? 

[Scubbs]

Jo, I sold my ferret boat    It's been a mainstay in my cages for 3 years or more, so I thought I'd see what life was like without it!  I've cleaned the cage since those pictures, and the boat's on its way to its new owner, and let me tell you... I have absolutely no idea what to do with that open space right there.  It's been bugging me insanely, since currently I just have that wooden tunnel (that, in the pictures, is on the top of the cage), and it looks WAAAAY too boring.  I'll have to get creative 

[jorats]

OH NOooooo, no more ferret boat!!!

Oh, I think you'll come up with something real fun!!

[Scubbs]

Random question, Jo/Mandy - how do you keep stuff from getting on the walls behind the cage (or to the side of the cage, too)?  Or, if you don't really do anything to keep the walls safe, is there any particularly cleaner you use to get the gunk off?  With my cage/rats, it's pretty much 90% baby food since they get their hands in it, feel icky, and then shake them off 

[mandycoot]

Random question, Jo/Mandy - how do you keep stuff from getting on the walls behind the cage (or to the side of the cage, too)?  Or, if you don't really do anything to keep the walls safe, is there any particularly cleaner you use to get the gunk off?  With my cage/rats, it's pretty much 90% baby food since they get their hands in it, feel icky, and then shake them off 

Hahahaha, you don't.

I live in a dorm room so, you know, I just scrub the walls with soap and water and don't care what happens to the paint.

When I'm at home I do the vinyl shower curtain thing (I find that the vinyl is sooo easy to wipe down) and I'll probably continute that when I graduate and move out. I have part of a vinyl shower curtain underneath my cage here and I really love how easy it is to clean (though apparently vinyl tastes delicious ).

[Scubbs]

I don't care at all about my flooring, since it's Pergo and nothing ever stains it.  I just hate when stuff gets on the walls, and no matter what cleanser/soap I use (okay, I'm lying, I've only used one!), the stuff doesn't completely come off.  So this weekend I have a big rattie shopping list, and a shower curtain is on there (along with that Target cat play gym Jo has, those pop up tents, food for their Suebee's, and tons of other stuff) 

[Lise]

Vinegar/water mixture on the walls works magic for pee dribbles.  Don't know about baby food though. 

[Punkygirl0101]

Succubus: Underneath the FN are those towels?

I ordered my Ferret Nation on the 16th, Its supposed to be arriving on the 26th. I cannot wait! I already bought most of the fabric for it. I am just making room in my bedroom for it, I have a lot of cages! lol

[CampRhubarb]

Well, I did run down to the store, but I couldn't find either item.  I did find cute stuffed animal rats for $3 and an adorable cat tent that the cat LOVES and the rats would probably like too for $7.  I love that store.  Will go back and check again.

The bag storage is pictured here- the blue thingy

[luvmyangels]

Wow I am jealous of everyone with their FN's.  The way everyone has decorated them is awesome!!  What a great job everyone.  Its too bad I have 2 Martin's 690's or otherwise I would make a change.  Enjoy!!!

[Scubbs]

Succubus: Underneath the FN are those towels?

Yep!  I have 16-18 big bath towels for the ratties, which neatly fit underneath the cage in the storage section. 

[Punkygirl0101]

How do you like the towels? I was thinking of using towles as part of the fabric I use in the Fn when it comes. I found very large bath towels, and many wonderful colors at my Walmart for $2.50..and I think they would stand up to my messy girls!

[Pillowy]

It just came and I got to decorate it with all the hammocks I've made over the past week. So much fun! 

[jorats]

Oh I love it! Can you get a pic of the whole cage with the bottom stand and all?

[Scubbs]

Whoa, you found large bath towels at Walmart for only $2.50?  I usually buy mine from Target, and they're $3-$4 there.

I love using towels.  I've been using towels in my cages for years, and they fit in the FN perfectly with some folding here and there 

[Punkygirl0101]

Oh yeah, I love my walmart! lol. I love the fabric department too.

By the way, I LOVE your cage! And you have a very beautiful room (Coming from an amatuer enterior designer ).

[mandycoot]

Whoa, you found large bath towels at Walmart for only $2.50?  I usually buy mine from Target, and they're $3-$4 there.

I love using towels.  I've been using towels in my cages for years, and they fit in the FN perfectly with some folding here and there 

I usually get my big bath towels from Kohl's when they're on sale for $2.99 each (which is pretty much always--nothing is every full price at Kohl's!). They're my favorite for both the rats and me!

[lkblair]

Well, I did run down to the store, but I couldn't find either item.  I did find cute stuffed animal rats for $3 and an adorable cat tent that the cat LOVES and the rats would probably like too for $7. 

I have a couple of those stuffed rats.  My 5yr old named them - Ratters and Ratters II.   I'll definitely look for that bag storage thing next time I go; it looks awesome.  Are the holes big enough for the rats to fit through?

[Scubbs]

Mandy, you either buy a LOT of bath towels, your rats never chew, or you just use new ones anytime you take cage pictures    I never see ANY holes or stringyness.

[gem_max]

We never see chew holes on your towels either! 

[Scubbs]

But that's only because I have fifty billion things in my cage 

[gem_max]

Actually SoA/Chelsey or anyone with these ingredients: organiser cubes, FN, zip ties. I'm wondering if you could test something for me. If you were to zip ties one of those wire squares to the rear corner of the cage does it work out as a stable shelf or does the unsupported corner sag? You could then stick a lino tile to it and then a washcloth or whatever and bing, extra shelf.

Reason I'm asking will be revealed in due course! But I thought it might also be a good way for all you FNers to add in an extra step up/shelf to the side without the half shelf on it. I found the wire cubes here in several shops, but didn't want to spend the money to have the experiment fail 

[jorats]

gem_max, I did try that with another wire grid and the one corner did sag. I suppose you could add a chain and hang that corner to the top?

[gem_max]

Thanks jorats! *goes back to her evil masterminding... err thinking*

Everyone more pics! come on time is money 

[jorats]

Here's another pic of the top part of my FN. I decorated it like I would if I had younger rats in there. Right now I have two older rats and their back legs don't work so well anymore... but I wanted to have fun with it... so here's a pic of the decorated for younger generation top part of the FN:

[JR1030]

Ok, people, now I have a real dilemma. I have been coveting a FN because of all of YOU!  Except, that I just bought a new 695, and didn't think it was right to buy another cage so soon.  Plus, at Petsmart, it was $220.  I just got a lovely card yesterday from my lovely Gramma with a lovely check for $1000.    So, do I assume my Gramma wants me to do whatever I want and buy a FN, even though I know it will drive my mother bonkers? (I'm an adult with kids, but live with my mom.)  I'd literally have to get rid of another cage, since she would be scared I might fill up an empty cage with more rats.  Hee hee.  Probably right.  But the one cage I have is such a pain to clean through the little doors that I drool everytime I see one of those FNs with the doors wide open.  What do I do? 

[jorats]

Aren't Grammas wonderful!!!

How about you sell your almost new 695?

[JR1030]

Aren't Grammas wonderful!!!

How about you sell your almost new 695?

I actually like my 695 better than the other cage (which is bigger), because my new 695 has a flip top and bigger bottom door, which makes it easier.  I probably could split the FN and put the 2 boys in one part, and 4 boys in the other, so I would only need one cage.  I'd probably get rid of the older cage, and keep the new Martin's, though.

I love my Gramma.