Cage size for female adult BCI, 4x2x2??

[BoidKeeper]

I'm building a cage for my new BCI and I'm wondering about size. I was going to go with 4x2x2 with a shelf and then I thought that may be too small. I was then going to go with 5x2x2 with a shelf. The problem with that a sheet of plywood is 4x8. So now I want to go back to the 4x2x2 cage but I'm concerned about her hitting 10'. Will 4x2x2 really be enough space? I do have enough wood to make a 5x2x2 cage but that would only mean one cage. If I go with 4x2x2 I'll have enough wood for two cages.
I'm just curiouse what everyones thoughts are.
Thanks,
Trevor
PS
This is why I like all my small boas. ha ha

[foman]

Go big than you have no worries, then go buy a little more wood to build the second.
That's what I would do.

[ohh_kristina]

I'd go for 5x2x2

[JaredAren]

For a 6ft BCI a 4x2x2 cage is fine. An eight footer may require a 5x2x2. A ten maybe will require a slighlty larger cage. It is unlikely that a BCI will ever reach 10ft and if it does it was purposely done by heavy feeding. If you are getting a male and don't plan to TRY to get him huge then you should be fine with a 4x2x2 but a 4x2x1 would work just as good. If you are getting a female then a 5x2x2 or 5x2x1 would be better unless you plan on trying to get her huge then you may need a larger cage.

[Linds]

I wouldn't be at all concerned with her hitting 10'. Did you say she was around 4-5 years you thought? If so, she has done the majority of her growing. 4x2 is suitable for most adult BCI (up to 8') and I don't think you will end up with one of the big girls on your hands :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

2 feet high seems like a waste man. Make TWO 4x2x1 cages. As Linds said, its not like its going to grow a TON now. Most of the length growing is done my friend.

[BoidKeeper]

Thanks guys. Linds I think she is that old but I can't be sure of two things, her age and how she was fed. She may be like getting a 2 yr old Ball that was only fed mice once every two weeks. I'm concerned that once she starts eating the right size rat she may take a growth spirt.
Jeff, I was going to go 2' high and put a shelf in there to give her a bit more room. I supose I could do the same with 18".
Thanks,
Trevor

[Jeff_Favelle]

Yeah, I've always housed my adult boas in 4x2x1.5 no probs at all.

[Linds]

18" is more than enough space for a shelf.

[BoidKeeper]

Thanks again guys. Jeff I'm going with plywood. I thought I would paint it first then assemble and seal it. Any reconmendations for the paint type?
Cheers,
Trevor

[Linds]

I would go with an epoxy. It will give a 100% waterproof, tough as nails finish. <a href="http://www.niacoat.com/Specifications/epoxal3-1.htm">This</a> is what I use.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Marine enamel, acrylic enamel (food-grade), and epoxy have all worked for me in the past. Tough to get paint to cure now that winter is upon us though.

[sapphire_moon]

What about polyurathane???? I'm getting ready to start "water proofing" a cage that we are building for a bp and was going to use polyurathane oil based semi-gloss......is this ok?

[Linds]

Polyurethane will not waterproof a cage, it will just provide a resistance to humidity and is not suitable for situations in which it will be exposed to moisture for an extended time. It may need to be reapplied after some years as well.