My New Huge DIY Cage

[Olimpia]

I've decided to stop free ranging for the time being so I decided to build a huge cage for each of my remaining 2 panther males. I only have one for now but plan on making another one in a week or two when my hands stop being sore from all the nics and cuts lol It's not super even all over, but it certainly works.

The lucky resident is Daedalus, who doesn't seem too sure about what to think of the cage idea right now. He's been free ranging for nearly all his life, so this is a big change. Although he shouldn't complain about the space, since it's stayed exactly the same.

It measures 5'w x 4't x 2.5'd and sits on a 2.5' table.

Enjoy

 

[hejfisken]

looks very very nice!

 

[bradley]

looks nice! how comes you decided to stop free ranging?

 

[Olimpia]

Thanks!

Bradley, I've been having a lot of accidents and such lately with my panthers. Two broke the ends of their tails in accidents and ended up having the ends amputated, for example. I rehomed the others, but now I'm down to two panthers and I want to make sure they don't get into any more trouble for at least a while. I can't keep affording all these vet bills! lol They'll still get free range time but I want them more controlled for a few months.

 

[mychamybilo]

looks awesome! he must love it!

 

[jannb]

It looks fantastic Olimpia! Might that be Charlotte next to him in the first picture?

 

[cooper9934]

feeding?

I love your cage... I want to build one myself but unsure about feeding. How do you feed with so many plants in there? I have a smaller cage and just put the crickets on the ground. Rodney either comes right away and starts to hunt or he relaxes for a bit before he hunts. I guess you could cup feed him everytime....

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

The cage looks great! Sorry to hear about not having enough $$ to support more chameleons! I'm in the same situation :/

 

[Olimpia]

Thanks for the kind comments!

Jann, yes, that would be Charlotte in her cage next to this big green one. Let me get some pics of her and the cage tomorrow when I get back from the vets.

Cooper, mine are all used to cupfeeding so they don't mind it. Although I've noticed that if you set crickets lose in the cage, they'll all end up right at the top near the warm lights. So it's not like all of them hide out forever, at least mine don't. And 2/3 of my chams are really social, so I enjoy taking the time to feed them.

Stefan, It sucks to be young and poor! LOL I have the money to keep them just fine, but it's when they all decide they need the vet for one thing or another that really drains the ol' wallet quickly. The last few months I've seen my vet so often that when he comes into the room and sees it's me he's like "Oh no, again?" Yes, again. sigh! lol

 

[Ozzie2011]

Looks fab! I love it and I bet your Chams love it too. Boy I tell you those vet bills can add up for sure and not with just Chams but when ya got 6 parrots and 4 dogs it can get old running to the vet and especially when things happen on a weekend as always and then the Emergency bills sky rocket!

 

[Samba and Salsa]

Do you use the 5.0 bulb or 10.0 for a cage this size?

 

[MATT2504]

Really nice looking cage, great effort

 

[SonTigerPantherCham]

Olimpia...I might need your help in building!. What did yo use for tools? I think I have everything but a saw, which is probably a must!
Im gonna pick your brain!
thank you, anne

 

[Olimpia]

Do you use the 5.0 bulb or 10.0 for a cage this size?

I haven't decided yet, actually. I have a 5.0 for right now, but it's due for a change now soon and I'm trying to decide what might be best. Mine gets plenty of natural sunlight during the week so I don't think I NEED a 10.0 but I'm still considering it.

 

[Olimpia]

Olimpia...I might need your help in building!. What did yo use for tools? I think I have everything but a saw, which is probably a must!
Im gonna pick your brain!
thank you, anne

Lol Thanks!
I used 1.5" x 2" x 8' wood bars (I think calls strips? Not sure lol From Lowe's)
- A power drill with a normal Philip's screw bit
- A long drill bit to pre-drill holes for the wood screws
- 2 or 3" wood screws
- And a small PVC saw. I have 3 other wood saws but my PVC one is the best and easiest to use, so I like it.
- And a staple gun for the window screen.

I think that's everything. Except paint, obviously. Nothing too complicated, which is why it might not look as great as something professionally made but it certainly works!

I'm no carpenter but if you have any other questions or want blueprints I will be happy to talk to you in PMs if you want.

 

[paigesc]

That's a fantastic setup you have! Sorry to hear about your free ranging accidents

 

[Olimpia]

That's a fantastic setup you have! Sorry to hear about your free ranging accidents

Thanks! It's alright, nothing too serious They weren't necessarily because of free ranging (actually they were due to my move) but it's easier getting everyone I have left on track and stable in a single, controlled environment.

 

[lisagr07]

did i read somewhere that the base/table was something that you already had? and you constructed everything above it and it just more or less sits on top of the table... is that right?
thanks,,lisa

 

[Olimpia]

Yep, Lisa, that's exactly right. I'll try to get you photos of the table (I had two, one had a wood board over it and is being used literally as a table for right now) so you see what it is like. It worked like a charm to have 2 2'x2'x4' cages sit on it also, so it's been a super versatile build.

I wanted to keep the table as it was more or less in case I ever had to go back to the screen cages or did free ranging again, but wanted a much larger cage so this frame sits right on it like a charm and can be lifted off and dismantled if need be.

I can also try to get blueprint sketches if you would like them.

 

[lisagr07]

Yep, Lisa, that's exactly right. I'll try to get you photos of the table (I had two, one had a wood board over it and is being used literally as a table for right now) so you see what it is like. It worked like a charm to have 2 2'x2'x4' cages sit on it also, so it's been a super versatile build.

I wanted to keep the table as it was more or less in case I ever had to go back to the screen cages or did free ranging again, but wanted a much larger cage so this frame sits right on it like a charm and can be lifted off and dismantled if need be.

I can also try to get blueprint sketches if you would like them.

Olimpia, what ever you can give me will help immensely!!!!! i love the openness and airy look to it!!!!!! yeah, if you have them blue prints or a rough sketch will be great!!! you can either post it here or email it o me, whatever is easier to do!!!
thanks a ton,,,lisa