From:
Matt Staroscik
Date: 2004-03-27 00:50:07 UTC
Subject: Sanitation project: remote litter area
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5699121.1080353810988.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
I am posting this as sanitation relates to health but apologies in advance
if it is a stretch for this list...
I finally got around to doing a project I had been pondering for some
time... adding a separate litter box chamber to my weasels' cage. It worked
out pretty well! You can see pics and read a walkthrough here:
http://wrongcrowd.com/gallery/misc/DSCN5020
(Just click the forward arrow to move through the pics. When you see the
Chihuahua, you have seen all the project pics. :) )
Once I attached the add-on, I covered the floor of the cage with bedding so
they wouldn't want to poop there. I also removed most of their hammocks, to
force them to sleep on the floor in the no-poo zone. I'll put the rest of
the hammocks back in a week or so.
I am happy to report that the critters took to the new accommodations right
away. (It probably helped that they had been using that litter box already
in another place.) No one has pooped in the cage. Cleanup is easy, I just
close the gate, pop the top of the box and scoop away. Odor is definitely
reduced too. (The lid is not airtight, but it still helps.)
Approx cost: $70
Breakdown--
Blast gates: $5 x 2
Litter box: $8, local pet store
(I could not find a modest-sized plastic tub that would fit a high-back
corner litter box so I used a square one.)
Plastic tub: About $15
Nuts, bolts, washers: $6
Flexible hose, quick-disconnect fitting and clamps for the blast gates: $31
I also don't know if the quick-disconnect fitting will fit tightly enough
to be weasel-proof but I thought I would give it a try.
Code Name Quantity
Price/Ea. Total
--------------------
828977 4" x 10' Hose - Clear with Black
Helix 1 $19.99 $19.99
828951 4" Wire Hose
Clamp 2 $0.85 $1.70
828911 4" Quick Disconnect - Clamped
Style 1 $5.99 $5.99
Shipping: U.S. Mail - INSIDE USA -First Class Mail- 5-7 Working
Days: $2.95
Sales
Tax: $0.00
--------------------
Total:
$30.63
I will post a couple more pics when I get the final hose parts installed.
The tube shown in the pics is a placeholder.
Cheers,
Matt
[Moderator's question: what provisions have been made or will be made for
ventilation in the plastic boxes?]
End of ferrethealth Digest
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