Diy enclosure from IKEA Platsa

[Momo]

Hello I want to share my journey planning and creating enclosure from Ikea Platsa 80x40x180 cm, as well as diy setups. I just bought two of the frames and plannig to make two huge enclosures. Soon I want to share pictures from the whole process, and also if anyone have tips and tricks I would like to know.

 

[Maz]

Thank you! That would be amazing to see and really helpful for others as well. I personally don't have any diy tips as I'm not that good at diy But I'm sure others will have. Other members have made diy cages. I think as the Platsa is flatpack it should be fairly simple to construct. It's making a lid out of wood and mesh that can be the tricky part. But essentially it's strips of wood, joined at the corners, with mesh attached for the roof. I think the tricky bit is doing it so the lid sits on the enclosure securely. I believe some people attach extra beading under the main strips of wood on the outside edge, so the beading keeps the lid in place by sitting against the sides of the cage. Lots of measuring and maths I think!

 

[Momo]

I am good at projecting, but not crafting, the whole diy process would be under watch of my husband as he is more handy then me haha. I planned to have front opening as I put the second frame on the top of the first frame if it makes sense. Also I would be using plexiglas for the opening frames. My husband plannig the ventilation of the enclosures, I would put step by step photos when it would be in process.
I am vigorously reading all the articles here and looking on setups and diys of other members as I am trying to catch some inspirations, or know how.
I honestly cant wait as its one of the biggest projects I ever made besides chicken coop .

 

[Maz]

It sounds amazing! Yes you can never have too much ventilation. If having plexi and a front opening (great idea), some people just leave off the back panel and have a meshed back instead, which gives plenty of ventilation.