permanent hardware cloth enclosure

[chamnub]

This is my first post so please forgive any faux pas. I am an experienced reptile owner (beardies, green & brown anoles, leopard geckos, chinese h20 dragon), but I've never owned a chameleon. I'm spending ~3 months doing research and preparing before the veiled chameleon is purchased. I want to have the enclosure and feeders ready beforehand.

Is it a good idea to use a hardware cloth (plastic coated obviously) as a permanent indoor cage? I've only seen them in the context of temporary or outdoor cages. My major concern with hardware cloth is the possibility of feeders escaping, is there any way to prevent this? Cutting a door into the hardware cloth might also be tricky.

It just doesn't make sense to me to buy a $100-150 cage at a pet store if I can make one myself for $20>.

 

[Balizar]

This is funny because I just had the same problem with building mine 6ft tall 4 ft wide. Your food will get through. Screen is the only way to prevent that unless you want to introduce cup feeding instead of free range. I hated moving Cyrus to the cup because I had the same problem.

 

[Balizar]

by the time you buy all the material and build the cage it can be just as expensive unless you already have things to use laying around.

 

[MSAquatics]

You'll be lucky to get the hardware cloth for less than $20. I build all my own cages, the hardware cloth is usually the greatest expense. You'll have to build a door & cover it with hardware cloth, you can't cut a hole in it and reach through without risk of a horrible scratch. I built 2-2x2x8 cages that were on wheels for roughly $70 a cage total. I can wheel them out onto my deck in nice weather and wheel them inside easily when needed.

Leland

 

[Balizar]

MSAquatics you probably also have some wood working skills to go along with it. When you build your own you worry about crafting everything just right as well which is pretty easy until you get crickets creeping in to unexpected corners. Just saying it might not be so bad to buy the cages. I got a good deal on eight and all I had to do was build drainage for them leading in to my sump pump hole which takes it out for me. I have built 2 nice cages tho which are currently occupied with my faves!!.

 

[chamnub]

Thank you!

Thanks for the replies, guys.

@Balizar: I have literally everything for the build except the hardware cloth and a "frame" or base for the bottom. I have zip ties, hot glue gun, box cutters/exact-o knives around the house. Even if that weren't the case, $70 is better than $150. Since I'm in MN, chams aren't very common and the cages are marked up. Supply & demand. I could order online but shipping costs consequently erase any savings.

@MSAquatics: I can get 1/4" hardware cloth 4'x5' for $13.50 at Home Depot here in Saint Paul . Would using hot glue around the sharp edges of cut-out door work to mitigate scratching?

Obviously, the big issue is still the feeders, and if anything that is what is going to push me into doing something else. I might end up going to my dad's farm and utilize a wood frame w/ screen design, that would just take even more work. Better get used to it I guess.