[I think I like cats]

I have just planned our small cat run attatched to the house annd priced the materials. The posts will be square metal concreted into the ground, the wire will be 50ml weldmesh on two sides, the other two sides will be the house. Once the outside is done I will have enough materials left over for a few shelves. There wil be a cat flap from the bathroom into the run, and a 1.8 high gate into the back yard for human access.

It is going to cost approx. $320. It will be 5.5m2. (1.1m wide by 5m long) What do you think, good value for the square meterage, or rethink the materials or design? The base is already paved.

Thanks for oppinions

ETA It has to be something I can put together myself, as hubby is not interested (in fact, I do not have permission) but Tinks loves her outdoor supervised play time, but played with a snake while I was only keeping half an eye on her. Was only a keel back, but who knows what it will be next time?

This post has been edited by I think I like cats: 15 August 2009 - 10:13 AM

[Advert]

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[oriental cats]

I would recommend the galvanised weld mesh to anyone, my catnip one is nearly 20 years old and has never rusted or warped. That sounds a good price to me, as the kit ones are very expensive now, mine was so cheap back then......................
What sort of roof will you have?

[Heather Sharada]

It sounds good to me - why not check out equivalent costs at Betta Pets and Classic Aviaries....think you will be happy with your pricing

http://www.bettapets...om.au/index.htm

http://www.classicpetenclosures.com/

[I think I like cats]

The majority of the roof will simply be the eaves, and the rest the weldmesh. It will noot be an all eather run unfortunately.

We used weldmesh for our chook pen 8 years ago and it's still in perfect shape, but I put Tinks in and she easily squeezed through the 100ml squuares, so can't use those left overs, have to buy more, smaller gauge stuff.

I know it is a lot cheaper than commercialy made cat enclosures, I'm more after a comparison to other home made runs.

This post has been edited by I think I like cats: 15 August 2009 - 11:45 AM

[oriental cats]

there is a catnip one on ebay in Victoria at the moment too!
I am not sure about the cost of home made runs, I am about to get a big one built, I have 4 cats and want to add 1 or 2 more!

This post has been edited by oriental cats: 15 August 2009 - 12:49 PM

[Dale]

That is a very good price, are you using 90mm post?
You could also workout a price for the Cat Netting, I know one company has regular specials. This month it is :-
THIS MONTHS CAT NETTING SPECIAL

Huge 5.5m x 3m Cat Enclosure Netting System

Comes included with:

Black reinforced webbing top and bottom
6mm Black rope within webbing
Our strongest cat -proof net available
Black Colour
Square Mesh 40mm x 40mm
UV treated for outdoor use
Can be easily cut in half, or to a specific shape or size
Reduced to $66

If you would like the web address you can either PM or email me because I am not sure if I am allowed to post the link.

[I think I like cats]

Thanks Dale that sounds great! There is a second paved area that I as thinking of linking in to it at a later stage. The net would be almost a perfect fit for there.

They are not 90ml posts, only little 40ml square galvnised steel ones, but there is no roof to hold up, just weldmesh walls. And I have decided to simpy drive them into the ground 800 so the whole thing can be pulled up and moved if I ever change my mind (we are on to our 4th chook pen in 9 years, lol, I change my mind a lot). There is really no roof area to hold up, so thin posts should be fine. I think it will be very similiar to the trellis I put up using left over weldmesh. The mesh will go straight up 1.8m, then be bent in at a slight angle to meet the guttering.

ETA

Duh! Just realized the net is 5.5m long by 3 m high, not enough net to make a 5.5 x 3 enclosure...One beer too many tonight lol. Still, it would be good to put in her favourite garden spot, which alo happens to be against a wall, with a window in it...too easy.

Editing again lol.

I just realized that net is only 600 short of doing the planned job, and the gate is 900 so it will actually be just a smidge big, perfect! BUT, that means I can't put any shelves or things on the wall doesn't it? Is it o.k to hang material hammocks off the netting? hmmm...

This post has been edited by I think I like cats: 15 August 2009 - 09:30 PM

[Dale]

I just realized that net is only 600 short of doing the planned job, and the gate is 900 so it will actually be just a smidge big, perfect! BUT, that means I can't put any shelves or things on the wall doesn't it? Is it o.k to hang material hammocks off the netting? hmmm...

You can always use old furniture like tables and things then add ramps or just make up some shelving from some of the off cuts from the posts and screw timber around where you want to put a shelf, most cats just love being up high and some like to run crazy around the place - like mine do.