Maybe a stupid question but...

[galeadenise]

I still haven't gotten my piggies since I want to have everything ready for them when I do. I was looking for C & C cage materials in my country with no luck. I will be looking at one last store tomorrow that may have them but I might have to cave and get a store bought cage. The biggest one I can find is 120cm long and 65cm wide. My question is can I connect two cages? One for sleeping and eating and the other for running around and playing? Does that sound stupid or even unsafe? Maybe I could put a ramp between the two cages. Please help since Im planning to buy tomorrow.

[lissie]

They are okay size for two pigs. You can add ramp to connect the cages if you want.
Have you thought of building cages from other materials? There are lots of ideas in the photo gallery.
Alternative Cages - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

[pinky]

The needs open floor space, not space connected by a ramp or bridge. Have you looked for wire shelving? If the sides of the cages can be disassembled, you could use zip ties to connect the sides of two cages into one large rectangle. The problem would be the base. You don't want it divided in the middle. They need room to be able to freely run through the whole cage and not jump over a divider or climb over a ramp.

[boofp]

Can you not build one from wood, or Order some online from somewhere..... Closet shelfs could be used. I think you will be able to find materials other than settling for a pet store cage. Purchase one of the pet playpens. Ebay target bed bath and beyond......

[galeadenise]

the C & C cages look easy to assemble but there is no way I'd manage a wooden or perspex one. I was even thinking of purchasing a pet playpen and putting a base on that but only if I find one here because shipping from even the UK is proving to be very expensive. I really want best for my piggies and I don't even know them yet :'(

[CritterLuvva]

What country are you from? People near you might be able to offer ideas on what they did.

[galeadenise]

Im from Malta, the island in Europe not anywhere in the states.

[Onetwo]

Where are you located? There might be some members on here that might be able to suggest stores, names of what the materials are called in your area. I know the plastic base we often refer to as coroplast is called correx in the UK.

You can use pretty much any kind of water proof material for the base. You can use a tarp, a shower curtain, plastic sheeting etc...

[galeadenise]

I'm not worried about the base, just the grids actually. I'm thinking of a waterproof tablecloth for the base if i don't find the coroplast here.

[Onetwo]

Opps computer froze and I double posted!

[lissie]

I think people here don't realize how big the "pet store" cage in question here is. It's 120cm long and 65cm wide, equals to 47.25 inches x 25.59 inches. That's 8.4 sq.ft. It's big enough for 2 pigs (even if it's the minimum size). Of course, bigger is always better. But that can be achieved by connecting two of these cages together, or adding a play pen to the cage.

[CritterLuvva]

I thought the minimum size was 30"x50"?

Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home

[lissie]

I thought the minimum size was 30"x50"?

Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home

Minimum for 2 is 7.5 sq.ft. Preferred size is 10.5 sq.ft. (or 30"x50", or 27" x 56")

[galeadenise]

Ok so I found and purchased a rabbit playpen. It's 120cm x 120cm. Also got a wooden house, bowl, water bottle, a ramp to go up onto the house and a tunnel. Will be purchasing a bird mirror with bell and a couple of balls too do you think that's enough entertainment? I was planning to use shredded paper bedding since summer is coming here and don,t want to use fleece coz they'll overheat for sure. Any suggestions?

[galeadenise]

So now they have 16 sq.ft.

[Aertyn]

I use fleece year round, and it rountinely reaches 35C+ (The hottest day that I've had since I've owned pigs was a 45C scorcher...though, that was Black Saturday so we also had to contend with fires). In summer, I take out 'covered' hideys and tend to just drape sides of the cage, or use fleece 'forrests' and make sure to provide lots of clean, cool drinking water along with frozen water bottles. I also make frozen carrot treats, where I julienne carrot and freeze it together with a little water. The pig pigs love them on hot days.

[galeadenise]

I was measuring the pen right now and the holes are 1.3 inches wide and 2 inches high. Is that going to be a problem?

[lissie]

The holes are fine for adult pigs. If your piggies are under 6 months, I would recommend baby-proofing it. You can tie cardboards to the side to block the holes.

[galeadenise]

So...i know I'm probably driving you crazy here but the playpen was way too big for my apartment...i couldn't find a good place to put it so I went back to the cage. I'm buying a smaller playpen next week, extra, so that they can have some running and playtime.

And guess what...I got PIGGIES! The pet store called about a woman who had an adult female and baby female (at least she thinks they are) that she didn't want anymore. They're too scared to come out of their house right now but the adult one even let me pet it. Problem is...they were housed with a male. So hoping they're not pregnant. Anyway, will post pics of the guinea pigs and cage when i can.

[Petlovr]

Congrats on your piggies! I can't wait to see pigtures.