Hi!
I have one homemade cage about the size of the playpens, only it is half a
playpen taller, so it makes for three full levels with hardplastic tubes
to get them from level to level, no openings they call fall through, every
floor has its purpose and design, bottom level has a clear long soft tube
and the big ball with the holes, middle level has their "dark cardboard
box" which is taped together and has a cloth flap on the front to cover
the hole/opening, cozy hamoc, litterbox, the top floor has a kittybed with
roof, elevated on legs for space underneath where the tube opening is
leading to the second floor.  also hanging is a metal basket, the ones with
three baskets rangin form the biggest underneath to smaller on top that
hangs on chains...Know which one?  with folded blankie in for comfort.
They love to swing and sleep in it!  i put curtains all around the back and
sides for it and they like the privacy in it, while still being able to
keep track of my movements, litterbox and foodbowls and the waterbowl that
screws on the wire (birdbowls) waterbowls are on each level, all the floors
are fully covered with linoleum, for easy cleaning, and the cage door opens
to expose the whole front of the cage for full access .  we built this cage
when Liza and Truls were babies and it is their home, i often find them
sleeping in the cage even when the door is open when they could have chosen
any other spot.  that's two thumbs up i think.
 
When i adopted Lucky and Dumpy i got a playpen from sheltermom.  it has the
same dimensions as the homemade, only one level shorter, and i wanted to
put in a full second level, but the door is to small to fit a large floor
through ( i supose i could slide it into place from underneat and attach
the hooks while someone is holding the floor in place) but what i did, is i
constructed two wide carpeted shelves that i placed right next to each
other dividing the two floors, it leaves less than one third of the cage
floor open, where i put carpeted ramp leading to a shelf underneath, which
in turn leads to a hamoc wich in turn leads to another shelf wich leads to
bottom level.
 
Bottom level has a kittybed with blankies, litterbox, food bowls and water
bowl (same bird bowl)
 
second level has another dark box with bedding in, birdwaterbowl, and i am
going to hang the same type of swingbasket in there with the curtains,
since Lucky loves that swing in Liza and Trulsies cage.
 
from the second floor there is a shelf on top of the open space leading to
a clear plastic tube that is tied all around the roof on the inside leading
to the cozy hamoc.
 
it may seem that the cages are klottered with stuff, (they also have toys
both hanging and scattered in both cages) but they seem to thrive in them,
and since they can't be out all the time i feel they have to have
interesting homes, Well the truth is i enjoy making these things and
decorating their cages and improve them all the time....:)
 
i switch around the toys now and then to keep their interest alive, and
hide surprises (treats) so when i put them back in their cages they go
treasure hunting.
 
Well i guess this got long again, i tend to get a little carried away...:)
 
I would love to hear about what other fuzzies love.  and ideas to keep the
little guys amused and happy!
 
Dookalot
Josephine
[Posted in FML issue 2661]