Free range tips?

[1frankie7]

Hi!

this morning I got thinking. What if it is hard for them to run laps in their cage? There isn't anywhere near as much space with the toys and houses. Is it enough square footage? I decided to look into free range starting with the becky's free range album. Looks fun, spacious , the chances of them fighting would be next to nothing. So I'm looking into free range. Any tips? Fun toys? things that would take up too much space in the cage? It would just be in my bedroom(the rest of the house is not exactly pig safe. The door to my room has a lock on it and it's never open. The room is approx. 7'1" x 11'9" it seems big enough to me. Do you guys have any tips?

Also this is their floortime area. They would still have floortime(just to give them a different surrounding) but more like once a week. Would that be alright .

[1frankie7]

I'm past my edit time so.

I actually would do floortime a few times a week(just to give them somthing fun to do). Also I think I accidentally posted this in the wrong section.

[1frankie7]

Also, I was wondering what the best way to keep the hay from scattering all over the room.

[xoLauraox09]

You could put like two or three grids leaning on a wall or something, so you could put water bottles and a hay rack. I would love for my pigs to go free range but the only thing I'm worried about is them getting under my bed and the pee.
What are you going to do about the pee?
=)

[1frankie7]

they are both litter box pee trained(And the occasional poo) I am keeping my 2x4, And cutting a door so that can be their kitchen water area, hay, food bowls, ect...

If there any bigish toys I can make that would not fit in a cage but wouldn't make a difference in a big room?

[xoLauraox09]

I wish my pigs were potty trained!
You could use them pop up fabric little bins that you can buy in the euro shop. I just cut out the end and my pigs love it for floor time! They use it as a tunnel.
Sort of like this one:
http://www.heroesforkids.co.uk/image.../benconbin.gif

[1frankie7]

Oh my gosh,that looks awsome!!!

I am thinking of making a multi level hidey, Does anyone know how to do that?

[xoLauraox09]

Heres some multi level hidey that look really good:
Hidey House Bunks and C&C shelf bunk - Guinea Pig Cage Photos
How to make bunk beds - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

Don't get wooden ones because I did and I had to throw it out the next day because the pee on the top had gone moldy!

[1frankie7]

I have ones just like that!!!

Thanks!!! I think I will try to convert to free range tomorrow!

[1frankie7]

alright! I am gong to convert to free range today or tomorrow(wish me luck).

[couchon]

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out!

I plan on going free-range myself when I get a bigger space. Right now, I live in a studio with no storage room, so there is a lot of stuff stored on the floor (under the bed, etc.), so I can't really pig-proof it.

[1frankie7]

I know what you mean, I can only free range in my bedroom. Because that is the only non cat/dog accessible room in my house(exept the basement, but its FREEZING down there).

[1frankie7]

Also. I am trying it out right now. The piggers seem to love it!!! But I can't actually make it full time until tomorrow so it's more like extended 11 hour floortime.

[couchon]

That is just really cool! You are doing something amazing for your piggies

[1frankie7]

Thanks!!!

They seem to love it, But I can't wait until tomorrow, When I take the step and totally get rid of the cage!!!

[couchon]

How many piggies do you have?

[1frankie7]

I've got to males. Jake and Charlie. I love them!!!!! And trust me. their cage has come a long way! I've gone from a pet store cage(for jake) to a 2x7 to free range(Well not QUITE YET but tomorrow!)

[1frankie7]

I've got to males. Jake and Charlie. I love them!!!!! And trust me. their cage has come a long way! I've gone from a pet store cage(for jake) to a 2x7 to free range(Well not QUITE YET but tomorrow!).

[1frankie7]

Woops! I posted it twice.

[Vixen]

My cage is a open free ranged cage (although they do not leave the fleece) its about 4 by 5 maybe 4 by 6 in grid size. The openes to under my bed and around my dresser I have pieces of cloroplast ~6 inches in height taped down so they cannot get under my bed or in holes they may not be able to get out of.

As long as you make sure they cannot get anyplaces you cannot get them out of im sure any room can be a free ranged cage.

I have 2 females in my cage if anyone was wondering.