Cage: I want CLEAR and HIGH cage walls... Plastic/Vinyl sheeting?

[gnosis]

I have an open-top C&C cage with coroplast walls that come up almost 6", yet my piggies still manage to kick poops and bedding over the wall and onto my carpet every day. I thought it'd be nice to add clear, thick, semi-flexible, sturdy plastic sheeting all around the cage to serve as a see-through, foot-high cage wall. This way there's no more mess on my floor every day, and I can still see my piggies when I'm sitting across the room. I have an open-top C&C cage, so ventilation wouldn't be an issue. I've searched the forums but haven't found any threads about this idea. Your thoughts? My main problem is finding this stiff yet perfectly clear plastic (vinyl? PVC?) sheeting.

[PiggieMom]

Have you thought about using mesh grids instead of the standard cubes? I'm fairly sure that even inventive poo-flingers couldn't get a poo to fit through mesh. They're getting hard to find now, but I've found some online. I'm not sure how well you can see through them though. Anyone use mesh before?

[LauraBean]

I use the mesh grids. Back when I used shavings for bedding, they were WONDERFUL at keeping the mess inside.
Truthfully, though, you'd probably come out a lot cheaper switching to fleece for bedding. This way, there really isn't any mess to kick out in the first place!
I think you're thinking about plexiglass. But even with an open topped topped cage, they still won't get as much air flow...

[gnosis]

I've tried the fleece, didn't like the high maintenance and the hairs and hay in my dryer. Nasty.

[LauraBean]

I actually think it's less maintenence... but to each their own!
The mesh grids I have are just like the mesh ones(not the gird ones, but the mesh in the middle) in the link PiggieMom provided.... but they are SO hard to find. I got mine about a year ago at a Bed Bath and Beyond (or maybe it was Linens and Things?) during a store close out sale.
Maybe you could make your own? I bet if you got some screen material(like they have on windows) and made some kind of frame and attached the screen to it, you would get something you could see through, would have good ventilation, and keep mess inside!
I don't know how well it would work, I'm the worlds worst builder! But just a thought!

[Moogles]

Would Plastic Storage Containers work?

[lissie]

Originally Posted by Moogles

Would Plastic Storage Containers work?

Plastic containers are too small. They don't meet the minimum size recommended. Also not good for ventilation.

[jenniwat001]

Any foot high plastic wall is not going to be ok, it wouldn't have enough ventilation, even with an open top. Your best bet is mesh cubes if you can find them.

[johnsonboys]

I have an alternative cage. Maybe it would help you for ideas. It is inexpensive-ish.

I had some rolls of vinyl at work, so my expense there was $0. I don't know how much vinyl actually costs. I'm sure that you can even use shower curtains or similar, or even coroplast.

I also had canvas framing for paintings laying around, so my expense was $0 there too. You could use untreated (?) wood of any kind, any thickness for stability.

I went to Home Depot and picked up some latches/hinges for a few dollars a piece and some garden fencing with holes about a quarter inche in diameter for about $8 a roll. I'm sure that you can find some that is smaller.

Anyway, I made panels that are two feet by four feet with the wood framing. Then I staple-gunned the fencing to it. I'm sure that if you really wanted to, you could overlap it (that is if you can't find something smaller). I then attached the second frame to cover the rough edges of the fencing. It made each panel thicker and more stable.

I am still working out the latches and which ones will get the panels held just the way I want. I'll probably end up having latches on both sides of each panel.

I'm also trying to decide if I want to put the vinyl up like coroplast sides are, or if I want to take a chance that the bedding will stay in the cage without it. I haven't actually put these panals to use, I've been to busy moving. Right now I'm using regular grids and there is bedding everywhere thanks to my dog. She stands outside the grids, in the bedding that is pushed out by my pigs, and then tracks it all through the house.

I don't know if that will help, but I thought I would put in my two cents. Good luck!