total cage confussion - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**diane** · #1 07-24-06, 11:31 am

I have found a store bought cage that is 22 x 47. But I am thinking that is the outer size dimensions. (Which I probably would never of questioned before visiting this site.) Anyway that equals 7 sq ft. I don't think it is quite big enough and it is really expensive. My husband disagrees.

The area I have to build a c&c cage is odd shaped. It is a 25" x25" with a 18" x36" area off of one of the sides. This area equals 8.5 square feet. Plus I plan on building a loft. Does this sound like it would be adequate for 2 girls?

**PiggieMom** · #2 07-24-06, 12:31 pm

I wouldn't bother with the store bought. They're really a waste of money. The odd shaped cage sounds fine as long as the 8 sq ft doesn't count the loft. Lofts don't count towards cage space since what is important is that they can run around.

**Ly&Pigs** · #3 07-24-06, 12:58 pm

You will need at least a 28"x42" or 2x3 C&C to ensure enough room for your pair of sows.

**diane** · #4 07-24-06, 04:22 pm

The 8.5 square ft does not include the loft. I did remember reading on this site that only the bottom floor is supposed to count.

**PiggieMom** · #5 07-24-06, 04:36 pm

Can you translate that into grids for me? I'm having a hard time imagining it. I'm really terrible with measurments.

**diane** · #6 07-24-06, 04:48 pm

I haven't actually made the cage yet. I am planning on making the cage this weekend. It took me forever to locate some coroplast and to actually find the cubes instock. theoretically it will be and L shaped cage with a 2x2 grid with a 1.5x3 grid area. I then planned on a 2x1 or 2x2 loft. Does this help? I am not the greatest at describing things, sorry.

**PiggieMom** · #7 07-24-06, 04:57 pm

No it's okay. I'm really bad a visualizing things so it's hard for me to read descriptions, even the best written one!

Is there any way to make the 1.5x3 a 2x3? That would be ideal. But if not it sounds like the 1.5x3 + the 1x2 will give them enough running room. Make sure not to crowd it with a lot of stuff though. Go for a minimalist approach.

**cavyinhawaii** · #8 07-25-06, 02:38 pm

The good thing about c&C cages is that they don't have to be square. Make it L shaped. The home page of this site can tell you how much space they need. It will be better than store cage.

**diane** · #9 07-26-06, 05:47 am

I was thinking about it and I decided to change the plan, which is driving my husband crazy. I've decided to make it 25 inches by 60 inches with a second loft. This would make my first floor 10 sq ft. Which is the size I wanted to begin with, but wasn't sure if the space I had could accomodate it.