Long cage...

**miccee** · #1 12-22-04, 10:14 am

2 piggies will require a bigger space, right? So I was wondering instead of making a wide cage, can I make a long cage instead with a reasonable width? Say, 12 inches ( width ) x 80 inches ( length ) ?

**Piglet** · #2 12-22-04, 11:01 am

Yes, 2 pigs will require more space. That cage isn't wide enough, even though the length is good. You need to make it wider

**miccee** · #3 12-22-04, 12:17 pm

if I make it 24 inches wide with 80 inches length... will it be big enough for 3?

**DocDolittle** · #4 12-22-04, 02:28 pm

Ren't you a beginning owner? Why do you need three? I would just stick with two, as it can be a bit overwhelming at first, and I think that 24 inches is just barely wide enough for two pigs, hardly three. I mean, when you add houses, water bottles, food bowls, toys, etc, there will be no room left for all three pigs to run laps.

**Piglet** · #5 12-22-04, 04:29 pm

Isn't he getting two? 24" is better. Most cage have a width of 28" so you are only 4" out.

**DocDolittle** · #6 12-22-04, 05:14 pm

He just asked if it was big enough for 3. I don't know.

**citronsoul** · #7 12-22-04, 05:21 pm

I think miccee was considering free range pigs too?

**miccee** · #8 12-22-04, 09:51 pm

Well, it was just a question because I thought that if it's too big, the pigs might find the cage big and feel as if they're lonely. It's just like living in a huge house but only 2 people are living there. Well, since you guys say that 24" is not that huge so I think I'll get two... if they're affordable. I'm really not willing to get only one as the pig migth be scared at first and moreover I'm a beginner, I might not know what to do.

yes, I'm considering a free range too IF and only IF they can be toilet-trained, which is what I'm hoping for. If they can't be toilet trained, I'll have to stick to cage and floortime. Thanks a lot people !

I'm going to get my pigs this coming Friday, well Malaysia's Friday which is I think a Thursday afternoon/night in US... heh...

Oh yea, 1 more question. Will a long cage 24" x 80" be a bit too long for the pigs? I mean, I'll put the house (hiding place) at the end of the cage, and the food at the other end of the cage, hoping they'll get out of the house and get more walking. heh, will that be a good idea?

**dagwellismypigy** · #9 12-22-04, 11:14 pm

why don't you try making more of a square shape? you should have a few places to hide and play through out the cage

**liluqt** · #10 12-23-04, 12:27 am

I like the idea of a square shape myself. Are you using cube grids, micee? Do they even have them there in Malaysia? One grid is about 14" long and wide, so two would be fine with width making it 24"... what would you be using to make it exactly 24"? Smaller grids? Another material? I would definately start with two pigs.. i got 3 pigs at first as a beginning owner and it was difficult keeping track of all 3 as each one doesn't always get along with each other that well. Also, by getting a 3rd pig, you'd have to pay more for vet costs. Anyway, good luck!

**AngelsCavies** · #11 12-23-04, 12:49 am

I started with 3 and then 2 weeks later we had 4 and Muffy's first litter of 3 so 7 with in 3 weeks and in 4 months later we now have 23 piggies.

**critterlover** · #12 12-23-04, 02:13 am

With guinea pigs, the bigger the cage, the better. You don't ever need to worry that the cage is too big! On http://cavycages.com/ there are recommended sizes for cages. For 2 pigs, you need at least 30"x50" which is 1500 square inches. A 24"x80" cage is 1920 square inches so this is definately big enough for 2. For 3 pigs, you need at least a 30"x62" cage which is 1860 square inches. So, yes, your 24"x80" cage is big enough for 3 pigs.

Just a hint, make 100% that your pigs are the same sex. Petstore people are not necessarily experts in determing sex so make sure you get a qualified person such as a vet to check for you. Otherwise, you'll suddenly have many more pigs than you'd planned for! And, yes, 2 is enough for a beginner. Cleaning the cage everyday can be a bit overwhelming and is something to get used to.

**miccee** · #13 12-23-04, 09:45 am

Darn !!! the pet store I went, they mixed males and females together !!! Selling for RM 30 per pig which is 7.5USD... I don't know whether to get them or not... the caring quality is very very low, they put the pigs at a grid cage ( yes, even the floor is grid without any flat layer to support the pigs )... really pity the pigs... should I get from that shop?

**dagwellismypigy** · #14 12-23-04, 10:47 am

no but you should tell the manager what they are doing wrong if you go back every month or so to check up on them chances are they'll straighten up!

**Piglet** · #15 12-23-04, 11:38 am

I know you proabably feel sorry for those pigs but ttry not to buy from there. As soon as you buy two, they will be replaced by another two. Buying from a bad pet store, in my eyes, in not seen as rescuing

**critterlover** · #16 12-24-04, 04:18 am

You can talk to the manager and explain why grid bottoms are bad for guinea pigs. Some people are not trying to be mean, they just don't know any better. Also, you can report the shop to the SPCA (if you have one) or other animal welfare organization. Don't buy from them, it just rewards their behavior.

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