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Location: Surrey
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,420
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Large converted summerhouse, Surrey (ferret court, rabbits, etc.?)
Due to moving house I am selling my summerhouse. It has been converted to a ferret court but could also suit rabbits (fab for large breeds especially) and other animals - perhaps a chicken mansion, guinea pig palace, or even used for rats or other small furries if made suitable for use in hot weather.
Summerhouse is 10' x 10' with the front 4' being a veranda (could be meshed in to provide a run/double door system), so internally it's 10' x 6'. Double doors (lockable, with key) on the front, two side windows that open for ventilation.
As mentioned, the summerhouse has been converted, this mainly was making it secure but ventilated. Many of the glass panels have been removed from the front of the summerhouse and all the windows have been secured by cutting a ferret/rat cage (Furet XL/Tower) to size to create sturdy bars but allow airflow. Panels with doors have been positioned infront of the side windows to allow access to open/close the windows. One window has also been used as access to an attached aviary (not included but can be purchased seperately) which can be opened or locked to prevent access. I still have the glass panels if you did want to put them back in. One door has not had any panels removed but I am happy to include 2 more Furet cage panels so that the buyer can remove the glass if they wish to add further ventilation.
Electricity has been wired out to the summerhouse but there is some damage to the plug socket so for safety it will be disconnected - but this does mean there's access to rewire if needed. I have found that solar powered lighting works quite well though so this could be an alternative to consider. Currently the plug socket is on the floor, hidden behind a chest freezer (not included) so buyer may want to locate a new socket higher up if pet(s) will have access to all of the lower part of the summerhouse.
There is lino down in parts of the summerhouse but not the entire floor (I bought an offcut and laid it around existing obstacles in the summerhouse, eg. cage & freezer). I would recommend laying lino down as the floor is a bit dirty through use (I have tried to clean it but not very successfully - it's just mud/dirt as the summerhouse is the other side of the garden to the house, across an area of grass). There is also a stain on the veranda - someone spilt something while I was away and didn't bother cleaning it up! I have seen some nice painted summerhoused so this could be an option to spruce it up.
There is also a fitted shelf inside the summerhouse - put up myself and not the best DIY but again, functional if not a work of art. This will be removed on sale as the base of the shelf is actually part of a wardrobe (that I will need to take with me), unless you are happy to source a new base and wish me to leave the 'struts' up to use. There are also various screws on the back wall that have been used to hang items on, these can be removed if you wish (but do provide handy hanging space to keep items out of animal reach!)
The aviary currently attached to it gives a 5' x 11' outside area (and over 6' tall so room for most people to stand up inside!). This consists of panels from a 5' x 6' aviary, a fence panel and some spare mesh to fill in the missing gaps. It sits on top of paving slabs to prevent animals digging in or out, but contains an unslabbed area in the centre which is meshed over to prevent escape but allow grass to grow through for some environmental enrichment. Aviary currently has boards placed around the bottom to prevent ferrets climbing up and falling but these can be removed.
So, not the prettiest but a solid, good quality summerhouse that was originally bought a few years ago for somewhere around the £1500 mark I believe. Ready to move most animals in straight away or with minimal modifications. In reflection of its age, condition and modifications I'm happy to consider offers around £400 - or £450 with the aviary (including paving slabs, but hutch in photos not included). Buyer must collect and dismantle, happy to offer assistance but cannot deliver (buyer will need a large van/flatbed of some sort, but please note that we are located down a dirt track so width is limited. A large tractor and a Sprinter van can manage it down here OK though!). Summerhouse is located in Surrey, near Junction 13 of M25. Potential buyers are welcome to visit to take a look before buying.
(please note that the white tarp was used to reflect heat in our little Indian summer, as the garden doesn't provide much shade, and is not included. The roof felt is still in good condition, the tarp was simply to reflect heat off the roof to stop the interior warming up so much. Oh, and the white net curtain rail pictured beneath the shelf isn't propping it up - it was holding the perspex sheet in place as a curious ferret kept trying to get behind the freezer!)
External without aviary
External with aviary
Internal (Ferret Nation not included but up for sale seperately if you want a cage 'base' inside the summerhouse - door was removed in this photo but is in the box, not missing)
With lino (please note that there's no lino under blue blanket, Ferret Nation or chest freezer)
Side windows with access to open/close window
Front windows
Access to aviary via side window
Aviary (panels around the bottom were WIP - now span the whole circumference to prevent climbing)
Happy to take more photos or answer questions on request