W0W this is so confusing!

[mizzcat]

All I know is that I own two male guinea pigs and I plan to get them a C&C cage in a few monthes! Only problem is I don't understand anything about what sizes to get and how many. I think I can get the cubes/connecters at target but I don't know how many I need and how to set it up. I also do not know where to get the corplast, what size, and how to set that up either. What else do I need for their cage? I already have puppy pads, towels, fleece, food/water, litter pan, litter, shampoo, etc.. LOL but what else for the cage besides getting them a bed? And also what do I do to keep them from going under the fleece?

[Toadies]

Mizzcat, you think that you're confused now, wait until you discover all of the choices that you have as to the style and accessories for your piggie palace. As far as I know, cubes pretty much run 14-14 1/4" by 14-14 1/4". As long as you stay with the same brand, you'll be fine. I have used the Target brand of cubes and they worked well. For a 2x4 C&C, you'll need 20 grids: 2 for each end (4), 4 for each side (8) and 8 for the bottom. A top is easier to do if you use closet shelving, like Closet Maid. If you go to the home page, there is loads of help as to styles, how to do it and where to find supplies. The coroplast may be hard to find, but there are other options, also covered in the info found there. You can also buy a C&C cage with all the parts that you need on this web site. Be careful or you'll find yourself redesigning their home on a regular basis (it's addictive). Most of all, it doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to be safe, clean and roomy. They need hidey houses and I'd put their pellet dishes in the corners and their hay rack along one corner to discourage them from crawling under the floor covering, but it hasn't been a problem with my boars. They prefer "above ground" hiding. Enjoy your little guys.

[newpiggiemommy]

The coroplast is easy enough to find if you have print places in you town. I went to a "Prints Plus and found a 4foot x8foot sheet for just $15.00.

I built my cage with a cubbie base to store their supplies and I am in the process of building a second level on and I went through 2 boxes of 23 grids plus one more for the second level. A total of 3 boxes of 23 grids and one sheet of coroplast.

[mizzcat]

Thank you guys so much I am VERY excited to get/build their cage! I will be getting the cage in about 2 monthes or so and I want to make sure I get all the facts so I know what to do. I'm going to get the cubes at target and I want to also add a second level to their home.

[mizzcat]

Okay I know everything about the cubes but should I get cubes for the bottom too?

[newpiggiemommy]

I built a base for my cage and I think it is very sturdy that way. If you look at my pics you can see what I mean. I have seen some cages built on the floor or on tables or what not. But, I the way I did it there is a lot of stability and a lot of storage space.

Here are a few pics, so you can see what I mean.



First I built the base. Then I built the sides. Eventually I will build on to it and make more levels.

[mizzcat]

Do the guinea pigs chew on the coroplast? My guinea pigs love to chew so that I why I want to know this.

[fourboys4now]

My boys have never chewed on the coroplast that I've noticed. I would just keep plenty of hay in the cage. I've never seen them go under the fleece either. I think it feels so good to walk on they don't think about going under it. My coroplast at a sign shop was $15 as well. Just price shop, some places tried to charge more. Good luck!

[buttons]

Originally Posted by mizzcat

Do the guinea pigs chew on the coroplast? My guinea pigs love to chew so that I why I want to know this.

I remember reading on this site that it totally depends on the guinea pig's personality. Some will chew FOREVER on the coroplast while others will never touch it.
With personal experience, I believe that once 1 guinea pig starts chewing, especially the dominant one, others will do the same and start chewing.

If you are worried about them chewing on the coroplast, why not rearrange the cage and put the cubes on the inside? This would prevent chewing on the coroplast, but thinking of it, I realized that the cubes may get quite dirty on the bottom if you don't use fleece.
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My guinea pigs never went under the fleece. But for those naughty guinea pigs who are adventurous enough to do that, why not get bricks or larger rocks. I've seen many people do that.
Another option would be to get a larger piece of fleece so it reaches up the sides of the coroplast. Then you can clip the fleece in place in the side of the cage.

Hope I helped!

[GuineaWolf]

Originally Posted by mizzcat

Okay I know everything about the cubes but should I get cubes for the bottom too?

Ok I know this is a newbie question but........
what are cubes!?

[alerz]

Originally Posted by GuineaWolf

Ok I know this is a newbie question but........
what are cubes!?

"Cubes" are the grids that most people on this site use to actually build the "skeleton" of the cage. Here is a picture:



You can build basically any shape cage using these "cubes" or grids" and coroplast is the material most people use as the base of the cage.

[GuineaWolf]

Ooh, thats what cubes are. Thank you

[pigsforlife]

My girls chew on the corflute, but only along one side. They can not chew on 3 of the 4 sides as they are too tall.

If you are really worried I believe you can put some apple bitter along it.

[auburnmare5]

As pigforlife mentioned, I have never heard of too many pigs chewing on the coroplast.

I am building mine next week so I guess I will find out.

[pigsforlife]

I didnt mention that not very many pigs chew on corflute.

I said that my girls chew on the corflute but they can only do so on one side as the others sides are higher and out of their reach. I know of plenty of others that have to replace their corflute regularly because it gets chewed and tatty.

[bamby71994]

At target are the connectors included with it or do I have to buy it seprately?

[piggly wiggly]

The connectors come in the package with the cubes. But to make the cage extra sturdy, use zip ties aswell as the connectors.