Cage Help Modifying My Cage! - Page 2 - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**xBigPigx** · #21 10-20-09, 03:34 am

Ok Just bent a couple grids. Ready to put them in. Got plenty of zip ties too! I just hope its not too steep. What is to steep for guinea pigs?

**lissie** · #22 10-20-09, 03:42 am

Hmm... how tall is the upper level? If the floor rests on the top of the grids, then you'll probably need 2 bent grids for the ramp. If the floor sits at half grids, 1 bent grid for ramp is enough.

**lissie** · #23 10-20-09, 03:53 am

Have you seen this gallery? It will help with get the idea which ramp us not too steep.
Ramps and Steps - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

**xBigPigx** · #24 10-20-09, 04:04 am

my loft is lofted one grid in the air. So it is 14 inches up. I bent two pannels which lead up to it. I'm putting cloroplast down on the ramp, how do i get the cloroplast to stay to the ramp (the two bent pannels)? Since it is at an angle, it can easily fall off.

**lissie** · #25 10-20-09, 04:09 am

Cut them to size and zip tie them.

ETA: I forgot to say, poke holes in coroplast.
I can't wait to see your finished cage. Don't forget to upload pictures to the galleries.

**xBigPigx** · #26 10-20-09, 05:07 am

I don't own a camera but i'll have to find a friend who can lend me one. I would love to show everyone my new cage.

Another few quick questions now that i'm almost done:

1. How many layers of towels is best? One, Two, or more?
2. Also just one layer of fleece, correct. I read the page about fleece but they never indicated how many layers so I would assume just one right?
3. Also, how long does it typically take a guinea pig to use the ramp and go up to the loft.
4. My loft is 2grids X 1 grid (28inches X 14inches). SHould i keep it for leisure or should I make it a hay loft?

**Seonta** · #27 10-20-09, 05:56 am

Two layers of towels and one layer of fleece should work. Only one layer of fleece. You might try to coax the guinea pig up the ramp with his/her favorite treat, or put the treat at the top where they can smell it. That fourth question is up to you, you could put the hideys up there and make it sort of a bed room, or you could make it the feeding station... then they would have more room on the main floor.

**lissie** · #28 10-20-09, 10:27 am

Before using fleece, don't forget to wash and dry at least 3 times. Test it before putting in the cage. Try layer it on top of towels and then pour some water on. If it still beads on top, you may have wrong type of fleece.

I like having a hay loft. It keeps fleece really clean. You'll have to keep food on the lower level until they know how to use the ramp.

**1frankie7** · #29 10-20-09, 12:27 pm

how big is the bottom level.?

**lissie** · #30 10-20-09, 02:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1frankie7

how big is the bottom level.?

The OP said the space for the cage is 44"X34", that's about 10 sq.ft.
Let's wait and hear what the final dimensions are.

**xBigPigx** · #31 10-20-09, 06:38 pm

When you say wash it 3 times. Does that mean:

1. Wash then Dry
2. Wash then dry
3. Wash then dry

or

1. Wash
2. Wash
3. Wash
Then Dry

**blackarrow** · #32 10-20-09, 06:39 pm

1. Wash then Dry
2. Wash then dry
3. Wash then dry

**xBigPigx** · #33 10-20-09, 06:47 pm

quick question.. do i need to put towels on the ramp? also...what kind of carpeting should i use for the ramp. thanks for your help everyone

**lissie** · #34 10-20-09, 06:53 pm

You can line the ramp with towels, fleece or bath mat. My pigs prefer bath mats. I bought one and cut in half. Some people line it with shelf liners.

In this cage, there are two ramps.

This cage has 1 ramp and only use half of the mat.

**xBigPigx** · #35 10-20-09, 10:55 pm

The cage is finished and the two pigs are in it! They seem to really like it. The new little guy is running from corner to corner while my older pig just slowly moves around and sits. Neither are yet to go up the ramp. I did put a bunch of hay and treats at the top for them. I hope they use my ramp and go up to the loft? Would anyone suggest that I just pick one up and move him up to the loft, that way he knows its there and then has to figure out how to go down.

**lissie** · #36 10-20-09, 11:06 pm

You can pick one up and put him in the loft, or you can put some of their favorite veggies on the ramp and see if they will follow the veggie trail.

**xBigPigx** · #37 10-21-09, 01:13 am

I think i'm just going to pick up the pig and put him in the loft. I have put a bunch of hay up there and they are yet to go up the ramp. I hope its not to steep. The loft is one grid up in the air (14 inches). The ramp doesn't look real steep, but definitely somewhat steep.

**xBigPigx** · #38 10-21-09, 01:56 am

So I put both of my piggies up in the loft (at seperate times), and both had trouble getting down. Both kinda slid down the ramp. Does that mean that it is to steep, or does that mean that they just don't know how to go down the ramp yet? Is this typical of most piggies when they encounter their first ramp? I am also using fleece for my ramp, perhaps it is too slippery for them. If it is to steep, then I guess I can modify it.

**lissie** · #39 10-21-09, 03:04 am

Fleece might be too slippery or your ramp might be too steep. I don't know since you can't post pictures. If you think it's too steep, try and change it to an L-shape ramp or a switch-back ramp.

L-shape:
Side view - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
The "L" Ramp - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Switch-back:
Rodney's Switch Back Ramp - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
front view of ramp - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
Earl & Flash's Ramps - Guinea Pig Cage Photos (with loft in the middle level)

**lissie** · #40 10-21-09, 03:09 am

I think this ramp is not too steep.
ramp between lofts and ramp to the next - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

If you take a close look at it, it overlaps at 1 hole of the grids. If your bent grid ramp overlaps more than 2 holes, I would say it's too steep.