Maximizing space, minimizing materials

[steve_and_pigs]

I'm putting together a bunch of cages for fostering pregant sows that were recently rescued. I want to make my materials go as far as possible. They are going to multiply!

I've noticed that a sheet of coroplast cut in half will produce a 3'x3' cage when you factor in the sides. This is basically 2.5 cubes by 2.5 cubes. It is about 9 square feet interior. The only thing I'm not thrilled about is that it is not long in any direction, and the pups are going to want to run around.

Is this an appropriate cage size? Any other suggestions for making my materials go far? A lot of the standard cages sizes leave a bunch of scrap coroplast.

Suggestions on fostering pregnant sows wouldn't hurt either. I've been doing a lot of research. I read that the height of the cages sides should be increased. What exactly is that for? How high should the sides be?

Obviously I have a lot of baby-proofing to do. I'm thinking cardboard with air holes for ventilation on the sides, or fabric on the interior of the grids.

[FranktheTank]

You could use untreated wood as a base and then use extra grids or wire shelving to make the walls. That was how I made my first cage before i got coroplast. That is a very cheap, safe, and easy alternative when you have low materials.