In this video we are building a catio / cat garden enclosure for Mickie the cat who has FIV.
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Not many people would go through the financial and time consuming effort to make their cats happy like this. Thanks Keith. You're a great man
Thank you
Mickie won the cat lottery when he came to your home. Lovely job mate.
Thank you
Then you open the door for Mickie, and... he sits just inside the house looking like nothing's changed. 😸 What a lovely kind gift for your little mate, Keith, well done.
Awesome video as always. My wife is sitting next to me watching and asking when I will build a Catio for our babies. Looking forward to part 2.
Good luck! Haha. I would suggest not being so frugal when it comes to choosing mesh! Thank you
@@RagnBoneBrown I would second that, use the plastic mesh, and use a thin lath held down by some screws (paint lath and beam first, as otherwise rot will set in fast) to clamp the mesh. OK the plastic mesh or the expanded metal is a darn sight more expensive over chicken wire, but you can also use weldmesh as a fence, it does not stretch, but you will need some serious pliers to tension the long wires to get it to hold straight, plus it does not cut with regular pliers, you want a decent set of bolt cutters instead, saves your hands.
@@RagnBoneBrown looks like you had some fun with that. Learning curve I suppose.
It’s so thoughtful of you to do this all for Micky. I believe pets are part of the family and should be treat as such, so seeing this is wonderful. Can’t wait to see the result xx
Thank you
Brilliant idea. We have two Attack Pomeranians that need something like that to give Post-person Pat a chance.
It's good to see you make the catlady face while building an outdoor cat house
Congrats on your lovely new catio for sweet Mickie! Excellent video explaining the project too. There is much to love here. Don't know if it is too late but we have made a video on DIY catio roofing which may suggest ideas 🐾🐾
Your cat is really being looked after very well
I built a catio and used clear corrugated perspex on the roof. My wifes cats play outside in all weather's and just love it on a sunny day, its like a sauna !! I build a few high platforms and they just love lying close to the roof in the heat or watching the rain bounce on it
Found your channel with this video as i was researching how to make my own catio. Must say, love the honesty of your video and sharing the learning progress, working with for you new materials and unexpected bits that show up, makes watching it so much more relatable. i will wacht the follow up vids to inspire my own catio adventure in the future, thank you for your cat-loving-teachings!
I have a catio and we didn't put a roof over the whole thing, instead we have an overhang of a little less than 1m (I think). The cats can't exactly climb vertically upside down so they are contained nicely! I've seen zoos do the same for their animals.
I'm going to be building a small catio for our cats soon, so this video couldn't have come at a better time. One thing I'd suggest for next time/repairs/anyone else doing the same thing is that 25mmx25mm 1.5mm welded wire mesh is much better than chicken wire. It doesn't 'spread' like chicken wire and is much stiffer so doesn't deform (We've been using it for a few years to make window guards to keep the cats away from a busy main road) and adds a bit of rigidity to the frame. For adjustable feet under the bottom rails, I'm planning on using some galvanised or stainless M6 bolts with a nut and washer or some M6 inserts with a hole drilled through the rail. I'm looking forward to seeing how you solved the roof problem so I can steal it!
I agree about your thoughts on chicken wire. My concern about chicken wire is that if a cat were to extend their paw through it, and for whatever reason panic or get startled, they could get injured. The wire gauge is just so thin and the hole size is just too perfect to get caught in. I'm planning on building one with 2"x4" deer fence, which does the same thing your 25mmx25mm mesh does: better rigidity!
I agree. I used the welded wire mesh on the roll for a lot of my projects To secure it I use a nail gun that can also take staples. It's a damn site easier than trying to use the hammer in staples
The mesh looks like a right nightmare to work with! All worked out well in the end 👍
If you ever need to update your catio or change the net I recommend plastic deer netting, much easier to work with and it's made to not be seen which is a much nicer look.
I could have been the third hand Keith 😂😂. On a serious note, those StrataRise adjustable pedestal feet I used for my workshop would have been perfect for this project. Loved this problem solving though 😀👍
That's a great idea. I'll have to upgrade then some day 👍
You do right delaying things and sorting a roof out. Our rescue can go from ground to neighbour's garden (via wire fence, tree fern and 8 foot fence) in 20 seconds now. Think we need a roof for our garden!!
Having built a zillion chicken runs ( I had a poultry business) I feel you pain with the wire. It took me a couple of days to abandon the metal 'u' clips. I use a heavy duty manual stapler, it always worked fine. As for the wire, the higher the gauge and the smaller the hole makes it far less stretchy. But like you said, its a one off for you. Last point, I have seen cats get through gaps where they seem to dislocate every bone to become a pancake, that cap where the shingle is against the house looks suspect. Love you vids.
Nice hinge fitting work!!!!!
Love it Keith - looking forward to the final part! 👍😁
Thanks mate, loved your cameo so much! 👍
For the roof Look up dove bird netting. Its what i used to keep my cat in, can be pulled taught, nylon so rot proof and cant be chewed through. You can anchor eye bolts to yoyr walls and feed parachute cord on the mesh and clip this to the eye bolts to form a removeable easy access, lightweight roof that cats cant escape from.
My concern about chicken wire is safety. The size of the holes are just about perfect for a cat to stick a front leg through while trying to bat at a fly or other critter, and then when they have to quickly pull out, their skin bunches up (like trying to remove a ring from your finger) and they panic, creating a possible vet visit. I'm going to be going with 2"x4" deer fence which has a much heavier gauge metal and is a nice rigid barrier. I think I have a hack to make those staples better... Bend each one so that their legs are parallel. Like a normal staple. It's probably a lot of fussy busy work, but I bet they drive into the wood WAY easier!
Love seeing the little cameos every now and then. Mickey is going to love his playpen.
Thank you
Another fantastic video - thank you!! You have inspired me to build something similar in our garden for a puppy who is an escape artist! Can't wait for the next part!
I really hope Evan and Katelyn see this. They would love it so much! Great work so far!
Nice work Keith! Yeah I hate that chicken wire, we’ve used it on the allotment before but never again. Now we use a more ridged pvc wire with a staple gun and it does the job well. I’m sure your cat will be very happy in the new run 👏
Not sure about gap in the corner with 2 spacers I think my cat could squeeze under.
...if you build a smal watchtower in one of the corners you could totally call this alCATraz instead of catio :)...Well done mate 👍😉
I've built something similar for my cats and you don't need a full roof. Do a search for 'purrfect fence' to see what i'm on about. I used their design as inspiration, but used galvanised flat bar bent to the correct angles and covered with nylon plant support netting to keep the cats in. This is where you do want the netting to be loose, the cat doesn't think its solid so jumps off. I kept 4 cats in for 5 years this way. P.S. based on my experience, they'll get out via the gap under the walls.
Nice everyone is going to what a catio I can see it CATching on 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛👌👍🏻
Adaption is a key component to intelligence. Functional is more important than pretty in certain circumstances. Well done
Thank you!
Micky will love it in the end Keith just being able to have a wonder outside, He'll be in his element bless him. Great video chap 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you!
Was made to build one by the wife. We used a actual cat enclosure wire. Like a rope webbing. Worked really well. And the cats don’t get caught on it as they might with chicken wire. Also why use the small timber? Like what you are using for the roof. Wouldn’t that be a bit more solid? Saying that, great video. Really enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work. 👍
You could make like a trap door type roof section running along the wall so you can flip it open to Access the gutters .
Great video and I am sure Mickie will enjoy the outdoor space. It is a great idea and you can still user traverse space easily enough when you need to. I am more worried Mickey will be able to crawl under the bottom of the frame at the highest point much more tan climbing out over the top.
He won't be able to escape it's a 50mm gap
Use some abs pipe with a slit cut in it and slide it over the top of the walls. Make sure it is big enough that your cat cannot grab it. 4" would be good.
Hello Keith, i know where your coming from with that chicken wire. But despite your reservation , it looks really good. I used 50mm welded mesh sheets in my attempt to build a catio. But it cost a fortune and quite honestly yours looks far better than mine ever did. Look forward to the finished article. Thank you.
Been there, done that and got the t shirt. I used better wire mesh though, which was small enough to not get cat paws caught in it at the request of the cats owner.
Aww! The "catio"! This is great... My girlfriend has a "tuxedo" kitty kat too, named Baby... Well, actually, "Bad Baby, Sweet Baby Sometimes"! You can imagine why she has the different names. Oh! Nice build, too!
You're a kind hearted fellow Keith, that's going to be a lovely space for Micky and ideal as it's not an area you use much ! Love the "god-like" apparition of Andy Mac the Jedi Master - "Feel the force Keith !" 😂
Found it!!! Thank you.
That's a massive catio! haha. Mickey should be happy. Yeah I'm sure that chicken wire has it's upsides somewhere, but I hate it as well. We ended up using stucco mesh with an air stapler which was quite a bit easier.
Cheers John yeah that sounds a good solution
Wonder if Andy Mac got that in one take 🤔😁
When dealing with mesh, which I absolutely hate, I use a staple gun to keep a few areas in place, which keeps both your hands free to nail those horrible hooks in. Looks great though and I'm sure Mickie will love the added freedom.
Good idea!!! 👍
Our 'Baby-girl' will stand on the sill, before going out. She will sniff the air like a Pointer (don't tell her I likened her to a dog) before jumping out to go read her 'emails'. Scent is such a vital piece of cat-munication so Mickey will hopefully be able to detect some of the local 'gossip'. Great work Keith! Btw those u-nails have one purpose; circa 1970's we used them as ammo launched from elastic band catapults - then they really come into their own!!!
🤣 thank you 👍
Love what you are doing for your adopted felines. They do find good people to adopt (meaning they adopt YOU). The wire mesh you are using is called chicken wire in the States and you probably already know it is a good until you find a better solution.
I recently did a new roof for some friends who have a secure outdoor space for their cats. The issue was the same as yours, how to allow access for maintenance. I devised sliding fit panels using roofing laths that fit in between some struts. So using your cross pieces I would add some 4x1 underneath to leave 1” either side then rest the panels in between the cross pieces. I also used 20mm square mesh instead of chicken mesh, so much neater and easier. I also used my air stapler to fasten the mesh to the frames. I can probably do a quick video of it if that’s any help? Works rather well to be honest
Having done a number of catruns over the years I have a suggestion. You don't need a full mesh roof! Just 50cm around the perimeter. It has worked well for us and our catrun is much bigger and none of our cats have ever escaped. (Maine coon cats)
Very cool I hope Micky appreciates it
Hi Keith, having built a number of outdoor runs similar to the one you are building here for cats, dogs and chickens might I make a couple of suggestions. I gave up on chicken wire a long while ago and have used 18Ga galvanised weld mesh since which is far more convenient and holds its shape and is easy to cut with snips. I buy this in 25m and 50m roles which works out much cheaper than the short lengths sold in garden shops and box stores and 18Ga is much easier to fold than 16Ga which is fine for flat surfaces, but not suitable for hand folding. I also use a Bosch PTK 3.6 Li cordless stapler. I find the 8mm galvanised staples more than adequate. The 4mm are also useful for upholstery, making the tool quite versatile, one charge will keep this cordless stapler running all day no problem. I have given this tool hard use over the last three years without any problems and it is as reliable now as when I bought it. For roof access, could you not fit either hinged sections between the joists to access down pipes and gutters, or simply sections held in place with swivel clips, which would allow you remove them for easy access when required. I think your cat should be really chuffed with this splendid catio, as it is huge and offers all sorts of possibilities for play and climbing and of course sleeping in the sun!
Great video again Keith. I couldn't agree with you more I hate working with that chicken wire and the staples. We built a kinda catio about 5 years ago but we done it up our 7ft ranch style fencing with a backward angled bracket and a tension wire to stop out cats getting out which is something you could consider for Mickey save u having build a roof structure just do it like prison style bars sloped back if he tries climb it he won't be able get over because of the angle. 🏴👍
I eventually invested in one of those manual dewalt staple guns and so glad I did. It’s come in so useful for so many applications including pinning some wire mesh across our front drive to stop our puppy from getting into the road. They’re also fantastic for tyvek housewrap .
We originally used chicken wire for our (chook) sheds, but agree, it’s awful to work with and doesn’t look that great. Now working on a new chicken coop with rigid wire and it’s not only so much easier to work with, it also looks great. So looking forward to seeing Mickie in his new space, and loved Andy’s cameo 😂
Cheers Mandy yeah I wish I'd have bought a sheet mesh or something. Ah well! It was so awesome to get Andy's cameo in! 👍
I thought you did a good job with the wire mesh. Around here, we call that "chicken wire." We built a catio a few years ago, and I chose a different type of wire (rigid mesh). It was also a pain to deal with, but it was a consistent width. I also got some staples for my air nailer, and that helped me avoid using those individual staples. Hopefully, Mickie will appreciate all of your hard work and effort. Good show!
Just so you know. I used the same type of wire. It is very thin. I've had squirrels chew though it and get into my catio. had to go around the bottom with heavier gage wire. Mine is at least 6 years old and getting weathered so I am going to build a new one with 1inch by 2 inch fencing. It's heavy enough the squirrels wont chew through it. and still small enough the cats can't get through. good job on your. just keep an eye on the fencing.
I built a catio this year and did lots of research. Using chicken wire can be bad as it’s not strong enough if the cat tries to climb it. You need mesh with a spacing of either 13mm x 13mm or 25mm x 25mm with a gauge of 19 or 16 to be on the safe side.
Looks like a luxury space for MIckie, good job Keith. I’ve had similar experience with chicken wire and hoops, horrible stuff to work with and as you say the often often bend when you’re hammering them in. An alternative to those hooks is to use stainless steel staples in a craft stapler. They work quite well at securing mesh to wood. Just thinking about the roof, does Mickie actually climb up the furniture, maybe you could get away without any roof at all? Or maybe a small 30cm roof just around the wall edges as you see at the zoo. If you do put a roof on it’ll get leaves accumulate on it as well.
We used a normal stapler with similar mesh to build a fruit cage on our allotment. It worked really well, though might be worth checking for strength to make sure it'd keep a cat in...
A finer mesh for sure would have looked better but remember Keith even on your worst day your still better than 99% of us
Hello. Nice video. How high is the gap under the wall? Since you had to double the spacers, I'm bit worried that Mikey might be able to squeeze through the gap. Cats can fit through gap about size or their head.
Cheers! It's only about 60mm, Mickie won't fit through there even if he goes on a diet 👍
You sound waaayyyy too confident there! You need to watch more KZhead cat videos. I’ll have a sporting bet he can under there if he really wanted to.
I guess I am confident because I've lived with cats for 39 years
I recently had to modify an enclosure for guinea pigs. I salvaged all the materials from the old enclosure including the treated pine frames, pigeon wire and those exact same saddles. I also really struggled with the saddles in the same way you did. Eventually I ran out of them and rather than going to buy more of the things I was struggling with I decided to use my manual stapple gun and the cursed that I had not used that from the beginning. I also ended up with pieces of the straight edge of pigeon wire that I had to cut off. Not a fun time. So I feel your pain.
Hi Keith, when I did the wire on my original chicken run I used a hand held staple gun (Stanley heavy duty hand operated type) really quick and although the staples do rust they lasted well and were still holding well after about 8 years, I was worried that they would pull out but they hadn't so I guess the rust holds them in. Chicken wire these days isn't what it used to be and will rust fairly quickly, I used some around my garden and have had to replace it after just 2 years the modern stuff is rubbish!!
Keith, I really feel your pain with that chicken wire. I built a catio myself a few years ago and I chose for the more expensive galvanised sheet-rolls (not sure what to call it). and they worked a treat. they are more rigid and you just roll them out on top of your frame and secure them with a stapler. the catio is still there and going strong.
I help my friend with some thing similar for her cats we used chick wire and cat proof Oscillot Cat Containment System the cat learnt it could climb the chicken wire and in the corner it could bypass oscillot system I put polycarbonate corrugated roofing sheets near the top of fence diagonal to stop the cat gripping near the top of fence
I've given up on using galvanized mesh, now I use gameflex release pen netting. For the roof maybe look at 50mm bird netting, easy to install and if you use plastic hooks easy to undo for the gutters. Collins nets sell all the products and are a fabulous company 👍
If the roof to the catio was designed to be removable (eg. you screwed battons to the wall at the same level of the top of the outer section) and made a panel that screwed in (screws going in from below would be less like to corrode and then easier to remove regularly) you'd probably be ok. I may go for coach bolts to secure the roof or something that is intended to be removed now and again. If you get the weight of it right, you may be able to slide is out a couple of feet without it falling off. Using something like the pergola roof makes more sense to me or having a small section with something like a kennel for Mickey to shelter in if it suddenly rains, that is, if you don't have a cat flap. Narrowing the staples slightly when they divide outwards with some pliers seems to be something I remember doing when I was a child working with my dad on chicken pens. Holding the staples with some needle nose pliers rather than fingers also helped make it easier to hammer them in. My dad used some laths that he'd reclaimed when he was working with this kind of chicken wire - it saves having to staple every link on a batton and I think it was more secure doing this than using staples on alternate links, they can just be nailed on. The chicken wire isn't strong, it does break when it's been pulled at a few times and doubling it up can help keep an enclosure secure. You've got to make the cat gym of cat gyms when you've finished this and fit it into the catio! I'd hang some toy mice on elastic and stretch the elastic down to the ground to get the cat excited about jumping up after the mice....but that's just me.
Thank you, great tips!
Yassssss! So happy to see this. Our two kittens (brother and sister) had supurrvised (sorry had to) access to the garden in summer when they were still to little to scale the fences. It was always our intention to build a catio for them. Previously we had a cat wander off one day and never came back home. That's over a year ago and we're still hoping. He might not be too happy though if he does come back. Two other kittens in the house!! Anyway, back to topic of catio. Delighted you're doing this and sharing it. Is there any chance of a plan or a list of materials used please? I was very doubtful about using chicken wire too. It's a bloody nightmare to work with. Bought some before for some project - probably to block a hole where our old lab was digging under a fence! Cut the hands of myself and it just looked crappy and saggy and stretching it made it look awful too. I bought some window screen fabric on amazon to make screen doors with. It's STRONG. The two kittens immediately scaled it when I pulled it out. The boy kitten was quite big at the time and he didn't even put a dent in it. It claims to be cat proof and I'd definitely say it will hold up to much wear and tear from them. I was considering using it in the catio. It's a grey colour so it will provide shade. Easy to cut with scissors. It might just do as a temporary fix. The poor wee things have taken up residence on the kitchen window staring out at the garden. They need to get out and play. We only need to build two walls as well so really hoping that you'll share a list and breakdown of cost at the end of it. Love the little feet you added. I bought some headboard stoppers on amazon (No I don't have a love life. I toss and turn a lot at night and waken my son). One end is plastic and the other is metal. Quite sturdy wee things. Was thinking of using them on ours and they're adjustable too. If you want the link to the mesh screen fabric I mentioned or the headboard stoppers, let me know and I'll email it to you. I'm definitely buying more of the fabric so that we can open the upstairs windows in summer without them getting out. They love to sit on the windowsill but Otis (boy kitten) keeps forgetting his butt's so big and slips off. Don't want that happening upstairs! His sister Willow is like a dwarf so she doesn't have that problem. I swear she hasn't grown since we got them in May!! But she could eat for days! They're wee inbreds so that might be responsible for her diminished size. He's a giant - truly. And still growing. Even the vet finds it hard to believe that they're siblings. So funny.
I used chicken mesh for my first catio. It's cheap but crap. Wire mesh sheets are best but pricey. I'm using pvc coated mesh roll which is more solid for my next catio along with an old aviary
Having just built a catio myself I feel your pain, I had the difficulty of having to make my spacings to the size of some glass panels that I got for free from someone's greenhouse. The catio is for when my brother-in-law visits with his 3 cats but when it's no longer needed as a catio it will be converted into a greenhouse. The entire thing was built with 'standard builders studwork' and the roof is covered in 10mm twinwall polycarbonate panels. If only KZhead allowed pictures in the comments
On one of the catios I built I used hardware cloth instead of chicken wire
Lucky Cat ❤
So he came in one day and said, "Keith, I feel like I need more space, please see to it." I understand, my wife has two sociopaths...I mean cats.
I have 4 here. 😬 But, really, some day one is going to like you and want to stay around you. And you won't believe how amazing animals they are!
@@MCsCreations They really are amazing. I was always a dog person until my son brought home a very sick, starving little stray kitten and my heart melted. They have so much more personality. But the BIG difference between dogs and cats is - cats hold grudges. Like no-one holds grudges. Dogs forgive instantly but cats.... Oh man. But they're so funny.
@@bluecurlygirl My younger seems to be at least part Maine Coon, for what I've searched... Because he's really furry, is getting really big and has some dog-like behaviors... Like, my father goes after him asking for his belly... He lies down and puts one of his legs up... Exactly like a dog... And sometimes he climbs to the roof to sleep there, but if I call him... Well, he runs down meowing. 😬 So, this is a breed I'd recommend to any dog person!
Lol reminds me of a meme I saw the other day. A dog and cat were in heaven and God asks the dog if he was a good boy and the dog says yes I was I was very loyal and he asks the cat and the cat says I believe you're sitting in my chair 😂
Are you certain he won’t be able to get underneath bottom edge of the walls? Cats can fit through spaces you’d never think possible
Yes I'm quite sure
Cat5 cable stapler. Cheap from the usual places.
Cool build. I agree a lot of that wire mesh is a pain, and those nails are no fun. I usually use a staple gun if I can. Could you put 2 or 3 feet of the roof on hinges to flip it over for gutter access? Good thing you thought of it now, I would have been cursing myself the first time they were dirty 🤣
When we built our catio I put in some heavier duty rafters, and then built mesh panels to fit between, so you can remove them whenever from inside. That mesh is a nightmare, we went with square mesh which has the advantage of not stretching, but it was still on a roll so still a nightmare. Staples. Yep I hate them too! It eventually fuelled the decision to buy a powered stapler and wrap the mesh on the battens a bit more
6.5 mate for conc fix😊
I've always used 7 but was worried about cracking the slabs. Don't think I've got a 6.5
Fantastic work, Keith! Really well done! 😃 About the issue of the roof, hinges! You could make little "doors" near your house and use hinges for them. So you just would need to open them to clean it up. 😉 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
Thank you! Great ideas 👍
I know your pain, have built much containment using that stuff! A cable tacker or staple gun is your friend for attaching it, the staples you used were a bit overkill. Keep up the good work!
I don't think regular staples would last outside
@@RagnBoneBrown Yup, been in this house 11 years now. Compost heap, hen run, extension to fence so dogs can't jump out all with galvanised electricians cable tacks. The odd one pops out but they are quick enough to replace, and in quantity.
Hi Keith I would have used a heavy duty staple gun than trying to use staples nice job though
Suggest you staple the chicken wire over most of the roof but have a last section about 60-100cm that’s got removable fixings either end on the the wall side edge you need access to, that overlaps the fixed mesh. If it’s tight he won’t be able to climb the wall and try and get out, but you can remove/roll back the last section for roof access off a stepladder.
Good idea, already built the roof though 😁
@@RagnBoneBrown as long as you can get shoulders between rafters you should be ok?
wire fencing isn't normally used in such a precise application, though I have no clue how they "size" it... you could just add some thin strips of wood over the seams if it is that unsightly though I would question whether a sufficiently determined cat might make their way through the larger gaps at the bottom, as the whole thing can't weigh that much
i made mine one with coated chickenwire you can staple it in the wood ;) I used Rambo wood paint on untreated wood it stands now for 20 years and now it's rotting, next year time to build a new one....
Interesting video. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful catport. Great idea to put spacers between the posts and the wall. Would it have been possible to use a nail/staple gun to connect the mesh to the wood? I'm curious what solution you'll think of for the roofing.
For the staples I would just have used a staple gun. I have one of those electronic staple/nailer guns and have used it on wire mesh before then It's just a 2 hand job
Ha I just used them u shaped nails in my latest video. I'm surprised you don't have an electric nail/staple gun 😯
Yeah I saw your vid last night, love your doggo! Like how you tensioned the wire.. hope your neighbour was ok with it in the end 🤣
Another great video, Keith! One idea for your "rubbish" looking edges for the mesh where the staples are: maybe put an extra piece of wood over them? Wouldn't necessarily sit flush, but some construction adhesive with fasteners may help and clean up the look a little. Btw, I love Mickey!
Cheers William, great idea
nice job, if you can, get yourself a pneumatic staple gun and never look back 😁, those manual staples are a pain and after i moved to the US I bought all sorts of nail guns lol
Yeah I would have done if I was going to be using it more but it was a bit of a one off 👍
Chicken wire is so rubbish to work with, I learnt that on my first catio. Now I only use 25mm pvc coated weld mesh, it gives nice straight lines to work with.
Nice build Keith and i know what you mean about the Galvanised Wire it's horrible stuff, try and get the sheets if you can and rip that lot out and replace it with the sheets. One thing i was concerned about and that was the uneven floor, there is that slope that you can see were you were doing those black feet and Mickie might be able to slip under the frame, could you not put a 2 or 3x1 along the bottom of the frame maybe scribe it from the inside and cut the wood to match, just incase? Mickie might not want to get out but what's to say a cat might try and get in they are crafty. I have an indoor cat and she is a scaredy cat as well and i was just thinking of something like that for maybe in the Summer. Sorry for the long message just concerned about that gap. Stay Safe 😷😷 Barry (Wirral)
Cheers Barry. A few people have mentioned it but it's only 60mm, I really don't think he would squeeze out he's a big boy! 👍
@@RagnBoneBrown It's not Mickie getting out i'm worried about, it's another cat getting in and passing germs onto Mickie whether she's outside or not.
you could have a net only covering the perimeter at a 45° so cant climb them, and have the open celing in the center. anyway what did you do with the bird houses?
Cheers Pablo, that's similar to what I ended up doing! Vid boxes relocated further down the wall. Mickie will love watching the blue tits coming and going!
Mickey is lucky to have you as his dad-human. I'm sure you will all enjoy the catio. 👍
Thank you June!
As someone who has a massive catio in the backyard with tunnels underground and overpasses between areas I can tell you, staple gun for the wire. Those staples you nail in are evil. I prefer my pneumatic one over my Makita battery but the battery one is convenient. You also don’t want the wire too tight as that will encourage him to climb and it isn’t the best stuff to have your cat climbing up.
I agree those staples are a nightmare to work with.
Yes indeed! Cheers Andy
'Catio' LOL!
Mickie landed on his feet bagging himself a slot in your family I reckon. Yeah, that wires garbage innit. You should've lurked on some aviary forums. They're well up on their meshes 😉 Great start though mate.
Thanks mate, bit crude but it'll do the job! 👍
Can I ask what make and model of the silver work bench featured in this video? It looks just what I’m after. Thanks 🙏
Hi Alex. It's Vaunt from ITS
Maybe rip down some battens (to get say 45x10), paint and then pin them over the current frame sandwiching the edges of the mesh and the staples. Won't be expensive but might improve the aesthetic.
Cheers Andy that's a good idea
Hi , what is the name of the wood preserver you used for the end grains ? I think I saw that brand name "sika" but not sure.
Yeah there's a link in the description 👍
Looking at the shape of the chicken wire, couldn’t you have pulled it length ways to make it narrower / closer to 90cm? Either way Mickey will love the catio! He’s one lucky cat!
Yeah possibly, it's just so awkward to work with all it holds it's rolled up shape if you know what I mean.... Never again! 👍
Does it need a roof?