Grids: I accidentally bought those new unsafe grids...

[Kipsie]

And my dad won't take me to return them, so I was thinking I could section off the grid squares (the grids are 5 squares across and 5 down) with zipties (a lot), or cover the sides with pinned-down blankets. Is this a good idea? How do I make a cage 99.9% (nothing can be 100% safe, or can it?) safe?

[guineapigluver1]

First I thought of doubling the grids, like for baby proofing but if they are 5 across 5 down, then it would still be to big. Cover the sides with pinned down blankets meaning....?
I wish I could send you some of my grids, I have extra and they are the proper size, but I can't.

[gooberific]

I use those 5x5 grids for the bottom of the cage, under the coroplast. If nothing else, you could make your coroplast really high (or whatever you're using)

[xxlizzybordenxx]

What makes those grids unsafe? compared to the other ones?

[MapleOwl18]

They're big enough for piggies to poke their heads through them. If they get stuck they can't get out, and could suffocate, starve, or injure themselves.

Kinda reminds me of the time the neighbors cat got his collar stuck on a branch and ended up suffocating because he couldn't get it off. He basically hung himself.

My grids that were to big became a storage cube stack for my fleece and towels. Hmm, part of me thinks doubling them might work. Lets see what some other forum members say. I'll also check my 2 5X5 grids that didn't get used at home and see how much the distance is with them.

[MapleOwl18]

Oh I didn't realize how old this thread was.

Also instead of pinning blankets you can use, those office clips, the black ones, that clamp down which means you don't have to make a hole in anything or poke yourself.

[gooberific]

Originally Posted by MapleOwl18

Also instead of pinning blankets you can use, those office clips, the black ones, that clamp down which means you don't have to make a hole in anything or poke yourself.

Binder clips/bulldog clips. I have TONS of them. They are my best friend when it comes to arranging fleece tents and weird playthings with fabric. As well as holding down my fleece.


You can see them here on the linoleum tiles I used to use:


(haha, it looks like Sarge is reading the paper while he potties!!!)

[BlaireD]

I think I made a similar mistake, except my grids came with 2 different size grids the 5's and the 8's. I've thought about using the 5's for the flooring that will be covered with coroplast and fleece and the 8's for the sides, the ramp, and maybe a bunk bed. Thinking this is ok since these areas will be covered with something. Is that ok? I will also by another set and will be sure that the sizing is correct.

[Myspoiltpiggies]

Well lots of people have already given really good suggestions. If it were mine I would make the coroplast walls really high, as someone else has said. So as not to make the cage really closed in though, I would make the front wall low, and use the correct grids there (if you can find a few spare on Ebay or something).

[Kipsie]

Originally Posted by BlaireD

I think I made a similar mistake, except my grids came with 2 different size grids the 5's and the 8's. I've thought about using the 5's for the flooring that will be covered with coroplast and fleece and the 8's for the sides, the ramp, and maybe a bunk bed. Thinking this is ok since these areas will be covered with something. Is that ok? I will also by another set and will be sure that the sizing is correct.

That seems fine to me, but are the 5x5 grids REALLY needed on the bottom?



Oh, and I got a new cage, you all! I don't have to use the grid unless I want to get creative with the cage.

[BlaireD]

That seems fine to me, but are the 5x5 grids REALLY needed on the bottom?



Oh, and I got a new cage, you all! I don't have to use the grid unless I want to get creative with the cage.


I was thinking about using the larger grids to raise the cage from the floor that's why I said bottom. I will also use coroplast and fleece in these areas.

[MapleOwl18]

A little confused by what you mean.

Do you mean that there are the equivelent of 5 squares going across one side, and 8 squares going across the other.

If I where you I'd measure the distance between them, and make sure the 8 squares where under an inch or smaller.

Then set them up like this. This way your 1/8 divided sections act as bars, think like jail bars, and the width between the lower ones doesn't really matter. This would be how to set up the sides.

This way UP ^
||
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|
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|2| | | | | | | |
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|3| | | | | | | |
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|4| | | | | | | |
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|5| | | | | | | |
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[BlaireD]

The grids that were in the box were of two types. The 8's and the 5's. I wanted the cage to be lifted off the floor so I'm going to use the grids that are too large to raise the cage. Since it will be raised up, there will be a bottom connecting the "legs" so to call them. This is where the coroplast will sit. I want to use the 8x8 grids as the sides. Hope that helps to give a better picture. But I've started assembling it, so I will send a picture soon.

[ZiggyMama]

I am coming onto this thread a little late, but I had the same issue. I just zip tied them onto the other ones aligning it so that the holes were smaller.