Ramps: Ramp suggestions?

[rogersmithiii]

Third question:

I'm going to put a ramp to allow my GPs to ascend to sleeping quarters on the second floor (that's where the hot tub, 52 inch plasma, and wet bar are located). Anyone have any good ideas on what to use for a ramp? Any design ideas? Anything ready made?

Also, what do people use as the floor for the second floor? That corrugated plastic stuff? Will this give enough ventilation?

Finally, how do people put opening panels to give access to the cage? Or do people just lift the entire cage off of the corrugated plastic tray for cleaning chores? Do guinea pigs run when given an escape route, or do they tend to hang around? I don't want to think about how many hiding places exist for two GPs.

Thanks
Rog

P.S. AWESOME site!

[ferndalezoo]

My ramp is made from two grids, bent in a "U" shape, and connected together end-to-end. The bottom of the "U" is the walking surface, and the sides form walls for their safety. The walking surface on mine is lined with a strip of indoor-outdoor carpeting, but you could also use coroplast and fleece, etc. Just about anything will work.

[Tdchewy]

I build my ramps from a 7" wide piece of thin plywood. I cover the wood with felt and staple the felt to the ramp. I attach the ramps to the C&C cage by running zipties through the staple and around the cage section. I find that if I didn't attach the ramp to the cage, the piggies get under the ramp and lift it up, causing it to fall. I don't use any walls or anything on the ramps, just open ramp. My piggies love my ramps. Good Luck!

[Buddy4]

Originally Posted by rogersmithiii

Third question:

I'm going to put a ramp to allow my GPs to ascend to sleeping quarters on the second floor (that's where the hot tub, 52 inch plasma, and wet bar are located). Anyone have any good ideas on what to use for a ramp? Any design ideas? Anything ready made?

Also, what do people use as the floor for the second floor? That corrugated plastic stuff? Will this give enough ventilation?

Finally, how do people put opening panels to give access to the cage? Or do people just lift the entire cage off of the corrugated plastic tray for cleaning chores? Do guinea pigs run when given an escape route, or do they tend to hang around? I don't want to think about how many hiding places exist for two GPs.

Thanks
Rog

P.S. AWESOME site!

I am about to add a second level again too. I cut a grid in half and put the two pieces together with zip ties, added carpet over the top and wrapped a cut piece of terry around the whole thing to cover any sharp edges.
So you went with the 52" plasma. I don't think they need anything bigger than a 40". But that's just my personal opinion. My guinea pigs are in big trouble anyway. Took the keys to the van and went for a joy ride yesterday. They are so grounded.

Good luck with the ramp!!

[angiekay]

My tunnels are pvc piping, with holes in them, and hubby placed a 120 grit sandpaper, hotglued on the inside for traction for them to walk on, and they are outside the cage, going in, so it doesn't take up any floor space at all. Check out my gallery pics for a better idea. After many remodels, I now have a three story, piggie condo. They LOVE it!!

[MissSofi]

To amswer you question about cage acess for cleaning. I have a 3x6 and simply used zip-ties instead of connectors to attach the third grid to the second grid and the fourth grid to the fifth grid on one side of the cage. Then I just use a binder clip to clip the third and forth grids together, creating nice wide double doors, so I can just go right inside to clean the cage. But even if you have a smaller cage, or one thats on a stand, the same set up could be used to provides easy acess. Hope this all makes sense.

P.S.
THANKS Now my piggies are demanding a hot tip for Chistmas!

[akstrohm]

My ramp is a piece of wood with rubber mat glued on. The rubber has an uneven surface so it has traction.

Your ramp will need sides. I made mine from coroplast.

The bottom part of both floors is coroplast (corrugated plastic). The walls are grids, so the bottom does not need ventilation. There is plenty of airflow from the top and sides.

Most second levels do not cover the entire area of the first level, so you don't have to take anything apart for cleaning. I suggest you look through the galleries to get ideas before you build the second level. It will help a lot!