Cage The Girls are out... - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**tabikat55** · #1 10-30-09, 08:55 am

of their very expencive store bought cages. I made the new cage of grids (2x4), linolium and plywood.

First I attached brackets (the type for closet storage) to the wall. I wanted it this way because the 5 yo could clean the cage easily and it could be raised as he gets older.

Then I had the lumber company cut me a sheet of plywood to be slightly larger than the cage (31x60). The pllywood is sitting on 24" brackets (very sturdy).

I messed up on the linolium measuring though. I measured from the inside of the grid instead of the inside of the conectors. But it's fixed.

I did have to divide the cage though because the girls haven't been "formally" introduced.

I still haven't figurd out how to do their flooring though. Shavings, fleese or both. But for now 2/3 of each section is fleece and 1/3 is kitchen area.

Tasha was in first and very happy with her new home. I wish my camera was charged when I put Carley in though. She's been very shy since we brought her home. What a change! There was so much excitement between Carley likeing her new home and meeting Tasha. OMG the noises these two made!

They each kept on sticking their noses through the divider to sniff each other. But I seen nothing hostil between them. At one point, Tasha backed up her bottom towards Tasha and I don't know if Tasha bit her or just had a cold nose but did Tasha jump.

I would like to know though how in everyones pictures the cages are so neet and clean. These girls totally trashed the areas.

**1frankie7** · #2 10-30-09, 08:59 am

I take all the pics right after I clean the cage. Because Charlie always trashes his c&c after about 10 minutes!

**Toadies** · #3 10-30-09, 09:18 am

We all have designer piggs, they love to redesign their digs. Minutes after I scoop the poop, it looks like I haven't done it for days, the pigloos are in totally different places (if not upside down) and the hay is strewn about. Congrats on the C&C, your life is going to be a lot easier now.

**Duffinvt** · #4 10-30-09, 09:57 am

Congrats on your cage. I am sure most people snap a picture as soon as it is cleaned, because my girls can make a mess of the cage quickly, too. Especially with their hay. I put it in a paper bag. They dive in head first and they get it all over themselves then popcorn all over !! I have considered a hay rack, but they love their hay bag so much I think I will let them keep it !

**angiekay** · #5 10-30-09, 10:12 am

I bet that is so cute Duff, the hay bag, and poppin all around covered in hay

.

Congrats on the C & C, I'm sure your piggies will thank you for it and are very happy!

**akstrohm** · #6 10-30-09, 10:24 am

Congrats on the cage! But why haven't you introduced them yet?

**tabikat55** · #7 10-30-09, 10:45 am

We've only had Carley about 2 weeks - maybe a little more. I found out that the 12 yo did had them together for a minute but i just wanted to make sure they were going to get along.

The divider will only be there for a doay or two.

**akstrohm** · #8 10-30-09, 10:56 am

When you get a new pig, you should always do a full three week quarantine behind closed doors. Guinea pigs hide illnesses easily, and it is important to make sure a new pig is healthy before introductions. It is too late to do this now, but in the future please make sure you do so.

Introductions need to be done once on neutral territory. They should not be allowed to meet briefly. Read this page to learn how to do a proper introduction: Guinea Pigs Social Life

**blackarrow** · #9 10-30-09, 11:11 am

I hope you realize you're not just going to be able to remove the divider and let them wander into the other's space - you're going to have to take them both out and do a complete cage cleanout first, because they've already established which part of the cage is "theirs" with their scent right now. I am glad they're enjoying the extra room!