Upper Levels Main floor as the upper floor... - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Ruffles** · #1 10-13-09, 04:50 am

I'm designing an alternative cage at the moment and from all the different layouts I've looked into I think I'm most interested in having a main floor of 70cmx120cm with a basement, instead of an upper level, of about 70cmx60cm which would be more private. I kind of envision the basement as being the sleeping area.

Whilst thinking about this I've looked through loads of photos in the gallery area to see if I could find another cage with a similar layout but have had no luck. I'm wondering if having the lowest floor as the smaller floor is a big no-no and I missed that point somewhere in this site.

I know usually upper levels don't count in addition to the sq footage because some pigs may never use this space, for fear of using the ramp, and it's more about a large perimeter, for the sake of running laps, than total surface area, but there will still be a large perimeter space available for them and my pigs are quite boisterous and brave so I think they would handle the ramp well, though I've never tried a ramp with them before.

Do you think I'd be safe following this plan through? I'm going to be making the cage out of wood mostly so it wont be so easily changeable afterwards unlike a c&c cage.

Thanks in advance

**Ly&Pigs** · #2 10-13-09, 12:59 pm

As long as the main level meets the space requirements for the amount of pigs, you can build the cage in whatever configuration you'd like.

I would however, not use wood because it can harbor bacterias.

**Ruffles** · #3 10-13-09, 01:21 pm

That's alright then, hopefully my piggies will be pleased with it!

I'm going to have the wood lined with some lino I have spare from a recent bathroom refit so that wont be an issue as long as it's all sealed properly. Although I was only planning on lining the floor and a few inches up all the sides (probably about 3/4"). The back and a few side walls would be mostly exposed wood but, as this wont get wet from peeing, do you think that would still pose a threat of harboring bacteria?

I am also intending to treat all the wood with an appropriate pet-friendly sealant type thing, though I haven't researched this thoroughly to know which one yet. The plan's still quite in it's early stages and open to change at the moment. Do you think my notions to fix this risk are adequate if i follow them through? Thanks for the response Ly.

**MissFormosa** · #4 10-14-09, 10:44 pm

Like this one?

2X5 w/ 2X3 upper deck. - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

or this?

3-level C&C - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

I'm trying to imagine what you mean...

**lissie** · #5 10-14-09, 11:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissFormosa

Like this one?

2X5 w/ 2X3 upper deck. - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

or this?

3-level C&C - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

I'm trying to imagine what you mean...

I think the OP means putting the smaller level on the bottom and the top floor being the biggest floor.
I've done something similar.

The top is 2x6, 1x2 L-shape on the 2nd floor and the bottom is 2x4.5.
My pigs ended up spending all day on the 2nd floor and it was too hard to clean. They only went up to the top level for food. So there goes another version of cage.

**Ruffles** · #6 10-15-09, 02:55 am

Yeah, Missformosa, it's just as lissie explained. Though my design isn't exactly like hers.
Thanks for sharing your experience lissie! I think I might have to rethink the design.. I'd be gutted if I spent ages building this thing and then my pigs didn't even use it all!!

**blackarrow** · #7 10-15-09, 06:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruffles

Yeah, Missformosa, it's just as lissie explained. Though my design isn't exactly like hers.
Thanks for sharing your experience lissie! I think I might have to rethink the design.. I'd be gutted if I spent ages building this thing and then my pigs didn't even use it all!!

That's one of the best things about going the C&C route, it's so easy to revamp. Are you having a hard time finding grids and coro?

My pigs would probably like a design like you envision - they spend most of their time on the upper deck. I think it's because I don't have the coroplast all around the upper deck - my upper deck is L shaped and I don't have coroplast on the inside edge of the L because any debris will just drop down into my cage - they seem to like the additional view provided by it being low.

**Ruffles** · #8 10-15-09, 03:14 pm

Hmm so it can go either way! I guess it depends on the piggies. Maybe I should make a test cage and see how they react...

I haven't actually looked to find any grids and coro because I decided not to go for the C&C for a few other reasons.

Firstly because I'm having a hard time persuading my mum to keep the pigs inside and I think she can only handle a few changes at a time (for instance, I'm going to save the fleece idea for when I've won her over on this bigger issue first) so wooden is more traditional, and personally, if I can finish to a good standard, I think it'd look smarter in the house that way. (No offence to all you C&C users! I think so many of the cages look really cute and I've been greatly impressed by peoples efforts in the gallery!!)

Then secondly because my dad used to be a woodwork teacher, so we've got all the tools, wood and equipment I could possibly need and it'd be good to use that up, plus I'd really like to make him proud by making something worthwhile with his stuff and everything he's taught me!

**Ly&Pigs** · #9 10-15-09, 05:04 pm

You also have to be careful about types of woods as the phenols in them can be dangerous to sensitive cavy noses.

**Ruffles** · #10 10-15-09, 05:24 pm

No problem, I've got a varied selection of woods to choose from. Thanks for the info!

**lissie** · #11 10-17-09, 12:16 am

I would love to see your cage when it's done. Don't forget to show off your work in the gallery.

**Ruffles** · #12 10-17-09, 01:40 am

Hehe, I plan to put it up

Hopefully it wont be a dissapointment!