C&C Alternatives: Would this be suitable?

[1frankie7]

I saw someone used rubbermaid containers that had holes in the side like laundry hampers. If i took 3 of them and connected them together would that work????it would be around 6 feet ong and 19 inches wide. is that big enough?

[MapleSyrup]

No. This site does not support bins as a suitable cage for guinea pigs. With one guinea pig, you must have at least 7.5 square feet. For two, 10.5 square feet. We do recommend C&C cages. Also, it would not have enough ventalation anyways.

[JD In Van]

Originally Posted by MapleSyrup

No. This site does not support bins as a suitable cage for guinea pigs. With one guinea pig, you must have at least 7.5 square feet. For two, 10.5 square feet. We do recommend C&C cages. Also, it would not have enough ventalation anyways.

What he's talking about does have venilation there's holes along the sides. And would be about 9 sq feet if those measurements are correct and taken from the bottom (not the top) of the bins. So that's not the problem at all.

BUT a cage that thin would be extremely problematic, there'd be no way to provide enough space around the edges for 'laps' as houses and things would clutter it up. Also in a narrow cage it's harder for piggies to escape eachother when they want to as they can't get around eachother so easily.

It could also be extremely unstable. I'm all for C&C alternatives (I have one) but I don't think this sounds stable enough nor does it fit your pets needs.

[lissie]

Bins are not suitable. If you connect 3 bins together, they won't have space to run laps because they are sectioned off. See this page at the bottom of the page.
C&C Cages - Types and Styles
Do not use bins, do not section off the cage.

[1frankie7]

Actually I do not plan on sectioning off the cage it would be like one Big cage. And I could make it wider. They said not to use bins because they are not big enough and you might need to section off. But i am using multiple bins and I will find a way not to section off. As in I could make it 2 ft 3" wide and and 4 ft 10" long would that be better?

[Wodentoad]

Call me lazy if you like, and with respect to the poster, I believe we're getting into the area of "too complex." First bins. Then Bins with holes, then bins with holes and tunnels and, and, and....

Perhaps at this point, we should start looking at other alternatives, such as are recommended in the alternatives section already linked, just for the fact that it may save you some headache AND money. The C&C's are by far the easiest for me, but if that does not work for you for certain reasons, I think perhaps we can come up with a better alternative than all that work with bins.

[blackarrow]

I don't know of any type of bins which could be connected all the way down to the base along two or more sides so as to have the space available to the guinea pigs NOT be divided up. It would certainly be much simpler and sturdier and likely cheaper to use grids.

[1frankie7]

Im just having trouble finding cubes but I think Im gonna keep looking though!

[Toadies]

Frankie, the galleries have some photos of really neat cages made from closet shelving. It has the advantage of rigidity and you'll be able to make the sides exactly the length that you need. It is a great alternative to cubes and offers alot of the same advantages and some of its own, as mentioned.

[Tessa Bea]

You can buy cubes online from Wal-mart if all else fails-

Walmart.com: Whitmor 4-Color Wire Storage Cubes, Set of 4: Kids' & Teen Rooms

Also, if you have a "Fred Meyer" in your area they regularly stock them and last time I checked, they were on sale. You're looking for the Whitmor storage cubes, they should be in their storage/garden area.

Make sure that they have 9 squares across, not 8!

[1frankie7]

I found cubes I checked in mored than five different stores and then they were in walmart!
they are 9 holes across amd unfortunatly they are white I was hoping for color.

[JD In Van]

Originally Posted by 1frankie7

I found cubes I checked in mored than five different stores and then they were in walmart!
they are 9 holes across amd unfortunatly they are white I was hoping for color.

I think you want 9 holes (not 8) and white is still better then bins.

[1frankie7]

Originally Posted by JD In Van

I think you want 9 holes (not 8) and white is still better then bins.

Yeah thats what eive got nine holes.

[blackarrow]

Originally Posted by 1frankie7

I was hoping for color.

You can always look for colored coroplast, or put stickers or a wallpaper border on the outside of white coroplast to jazz it up. Or get funky fleece!

[1frankie7]

I think im gonna go for all of them.