Cage: My cage is totally stressing me out!!

[Somanypets]

I have something of a love/hate relationship going on with my cage.

At first I had a store bought cage ($98) but then I found this site. So next I bought some grids($24) and ordered coroplast off ebay ($100 after shipping from US) and was using shavings ($12).

Next I expanded the cage because of adding a third cavy and switched to fleece and towels ($40). This of course meant the coroplast didnt' fit anymore. So I bought a shower curtain ($3).

Then I expanded the cage again to its current size of 4x4 and it takes up 1/3 if not more of my living room. I also am using puppy pads ($20) to cut down on the laundry I was having to do.

So after about $297 later (and that is just costs for the cage!) I wish I had a cage that I loved. My boars love it and it seems to work for them since Gizmo needs to be able to run away from Truffle often.

After all that preamble here is my dilema. Like I said the cage takes up at least 1/3 of my living room and it blocks one of the enterances to my kitchen. My daughter keeps walking through the cage as a short cut to get to the kitchen, so tracks hay and poops around. The cage is in front of the balcony doors so we can't hardly get to it. In the summer I am worried that it will get too hot there for the pigs (I live in Alberta desert, yes there are cactus' and snakes). I have a/c but we lose the power a lot in the summer since every one runs the a/c 24 hours a day.

I did see some pictures of a cage that someone (sorry can't remeber the user name) that had built cages from Lowes shelves. I didn't know if it would be detrimental for my pigs to be switched to a more narrow and possibly slightly smaller cage? The shelving idea might be easier for me to clean and then the cage could be up against a wall and out of the way.

I really need to find the style of cage that will work for us. I also can't keep vomitting $$ on new cage set ups. We have only had gps for 4 months and I am tired of revamping the darn cage.

[Somanypets]

The time limit expired to edit posts before I remembered to put this in.

Would two of these side by each be workable? Sadly they are $58 each..
Canadian Tire

[walleandeva]

Hi. Im sorry your having such a hard time. I think you've got to do whats best for you aswell as your guinea pigs. Ive seen a few shelving units that work very well as cages. They do take a bit of work but if you are willing to put in the work then maybe thats the best thing to do. What size are the units that you saw. I tried to go through the link you provided but it wouldnt let me.

[lissie]

I don't think shelving cage will work for you, since you have 3 pigs, the minimum floor space should be 13 sq. ft. That only counts the main level, lofts or multiple levels do not count towards the required floor space.

How about making your cage a 2x8 with all the existing stuff that you have? This way you won't have to invest more money. It should look something like this: New Cage (3) - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

You can also use your store bought cage as the kitchen area.
New cage for new piggies - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[Molli_Mayzee]

Originally Posted by lissie

I don't think shelving cage will work for you, since you have 3 pigs, the minimum floor space should be 13 sq. ft.

Isn't the minimum 10.5 sq. feet and the preferred 13 sq. ft?

Anyway, I feel your pain. I have three pigs and had to expand my cage. Still in the process actually. Before that I had two in a store bought ($65) until I found this site. I live in a smaller one bedroom apartment with my fiance and the cage takes up most of my back room which I anticipated making into an office. It's so hard to get around I end tripping most of the time I'm trying to feed them or pick them up for lap time. I've been trying to figure out a better solution for me because the pigs seems to be extremely happy. I'm not though! I haven't had much experience with cages so I wish I could be more help. Just wanted to say I know what you're going through!

[starshine123102]

Originally Posted by Molli_Mayzee

Isn't the minimum 10.5 sq. feet and the preferred 13 sq. ft?

That may be but if she has a pig that doesn't get along well with another one the last thing you want to do is cram them into the minimum size requirement. They need to have ample space to get away from one another.

[Molli_Mayzee]

True, didn't think about that. Thanks for pointing that out!

[lissie]

Originally Posted by Molli_Mayzee

Isn't the minimum 10.5 sq. feet and the preferred 13 sq. ft?

Yes. Sorry, I must have looked at the wrong column. It was very late last night when I typed that

Originally Posted by Molli_Mayzee

I live in a smaller one bedroom apartment with my fiance and the cage takes up most of my back room which I anticipated making into an office.

I also live in a one bedroom apartment. The apartment is only 590 sq. ft. I live with my husband and two kids (and two guinea pigs). I have my pigs in a 4x6 cage with 2x6 upper level. I know it takes up so much space. But my pigs are happy. This part of the room was suppose to be our dining room. Sometimes it helps if you rearrange your furniture.

[ferndalezoo]

Originally Posted by Molli_Mayzee

Isn't the minimum 10.5 sq. feet and the preferred 13 sq. ft?

!

I would say that for 3 boars, 13 SHOULD be the minimum. Boars need more room to live peacefully, in my experience.

[lissie]

Originally Posted by ferndalezoo

I would say that for 3 boars, 13 SHOULD be the minimum. Boars need more room to live peacefully, in my experience.

I totally agree. I started with 2x4(+1x2 loft), then expanded to 2x6(+1x2 loft), then ended up with 2x6+4x6. I've only had the pigs for less than 3 months. I love to remodel their cage.

[jenniwat001]

Could you try a 4x3 and then have an upper level with the spare stuff? It would give the required space on the ground floor but also give your pigs some space on their own-mine LOVE running up and down the ramp when they are excited and I often find one upstairs and one in the tunnel when they want their own space...it could make life a little easier for you without compromising the pigs.

[Somanypets]

Thanks eveyone for all the replies.

I am going to try and play around with some of my furniture arrangements this weekend I think. Without moving any furniture I could make a 1x8. But that is not going to help anything.

The main problem is that I only have 2 usable walls in my living room. The third wall is really the hall leading to the bedrooms and the other has the balcony doors on it.

I guess I am going to have to build up and go back to using the coroplast.

What do you think about making a 2x3 with 3 -2x3 levels?

Does anyone know off hand if you can get coroplast at Canadian Tire? There are sign stores here but with the hours that I work and not having a car it is hard for me to get it. I don't want to have to order off of ebay again if I can help it.

[Corinne]

You have a Home Depot in Medicine Hat. You can get coroplast from there. I got my coroplast from Home Depot.

[Somanypets]

Originally Posted by Corinne

You have a Home Depot in Medicine Hat. You can get coroplast from there. I got my coroplast from Home Depot.

We do have one here in the Hat but I have not gone and looked there. I searched their web site and came up empty. Maybe they don't list in on the site.

[JennG]

I have 3 Lowe's shelving units for my herds and they're wonderful. I have 2 units sitting next to each other. I have alot of seniors and special needs piggies that live in it. So the first 2 levels are of smaller herds. The bottom 2 levels are open to the herd that live it in w/ a ramp from the bottom to the top level.

The units I bought are 2feet deep, 4feet long, & 6feet high each. I love it. Because of the number that I have and the limited space, I put this together w/ the grids and coroplast. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or pm me. I've had a dozen regular C&C cages and this is the most sturdy that I've built so far.

[Somanypets]

Ahh ha! yes it was your pictures that made me think to do the shelving thing! Mystery solved. LOL

Do you find that your pigs have enough room to run?

[Somanypets]

What do you think of this? A two level cage where both levels are 2x4. I'll just need to figure out a way of creating an external ramp so it wont count against the lower level. I did see a picture of one in the gallery. Has anyone else made an external ramp?

[lissie]

Originally Posted by Somanypets

What do you think of this? A two level cage where both levels are 2x4. I'll just need to figure out a way of creating an external ramp so it wont count against the lower level. I did see a picture of one in the gallery. Has anyone else made an external ramp?

I think that will be great. I know exactly the ramps you're talking about.
Ramp view of cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
4x3 main with 1x3 loft. Exterior ramp. - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
Closed multi level 2x4 & 1x4 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

This is my favorite one. It's 2x4 on both levels and have pipe ramp connected on the right side of the cage.
Pixie and Zinnea's new Girly cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos


Something like this could work for you too. But you'll probably need some wook working skills.
Cavy Condo #6 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[Somanypets]

Yep. This (Closed multi level 2x4 & 1x4 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos) is exactly the one that I saw. I think that this one would be easier to do however and am leaning more toward it ---> Pixie and Zinnea's new Girly cage - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

This one is amazing.---> Cavy Condo #6 - Guinea Pig Cage Photos If I had any clue about making such a thing that would be so awsome to have!!

Thanks for the links. I am actually starting to look forward to redoing the cage. Thanks everyone for the nudges and assistance.

[Corinne]

No, they don't post the coroplast on their website.

If they are confused as to what you're looking for, tell them it looks like plastic cardboard. There's usually an 'a-ha!' moment after that.