Hi everyone:  When I was at the 3 ferret level, they slept in a double decker
cage with ramps and it provided ample space for them.  They are only in their
cage at night, and during the day, the house is their cage.  I, too, have a
serious "corner" problem.  At one point I had six litter boxes spaced around
the house, to no avail.  They prefer to back up behind doors.  Speaking of
doors (and this may have been posted many times prior), you know those little
spring items behind doors that have the rubber tips?  They prevent the door
from banging against the wall?  Well, watch out for those rubber tips,
because the little ones love to lie on their sides and twist them off.  They
are tiny, and quite able to be swallowed.  So, I've removed all mine -- if
the walls get gashed, it will just blend in with the rest of the house!  And,
speaking of housing -- which is what I started doing -- when my family grew
to 5 babies, the double decker ferret cage just didn't do it.  So, I got them
a fantastic bunny hutch!   It is elevated, which makes it easier to reach my
babies, saving on the back strain.  Also, the slanted roof is hinged and I
can get to them through there as well as the door.  It measures (cage part
alone) approx. 3.5 feet by 2.5 feet.  Since the floor is wire, I use either
bath mats or carpet samples (very cheap at carpet stores) to protect little
ferret-footsies.  They sleep on several layers of flannel blankets, receiving
blankets, etc., which take up a little more than 1/2 of the bottom of the
cage.  Their litter box is in the far right rear corner and water and food
bowls are in the near right  front corner, with ample space between the two.
The construction of the hutch is wood, with firm wiring.  It used to be a
real problem trying to get 3 or 4 of them in the door at bedtime, but now I
have the luxury of  placing them in through the "roof" of their cage.  Of
course all 5 of them still sleep in the pile, so they really don't require
half the cage for sleeping space, but it gives them lots of space in case a
couple of them want to wrestle for a while.  The hutch was cheaper than the
cage, is much roomier, and I really love that it is elevated (about 3 feet
off the floor).  I find bath mats great, as they can be washed and dried
easily.  I get yard sale baby blankets and flannel sheets for my boys to
snuggle in at night.
 
Message for Scott Swain:  I'm so very sorry about Toons.  My heart breaks for
you.  Just picture her romping and dancing  her little feet off with all of
our little loved ones who have gone on before her.  My 5 and I are thinking
about you and wishing you strength.
 
Talk to you all soon, Judi Lunn
[Posted in FML issue 1141]