Floor Time: Using a plastic tub for floor time

[3piggymomma]

I have a plastic under-the-bed box that I no longer use and was thinking I could use that for my piggies for floor time (placing a towel or blanket in it for cushioning). However, the sides of the tub are not very high (maybe 6 or 8 inches) and I'm afraid they will jump out. I was thinking I could make a little pen out of grids instead, which may be a safer idea. Any opinions?

[PiggieMom]

I use a set of grids for my floor time pen. I zip tied 16 grids together in a straight row. They're flexible like this and I can fold them up into a small stack to fit under the cage. I use two connecters to connect the end pieces together when I set them up and turn it into a 4x4 pen. I'd be worried with the low sides of the tub. Obviously, you'll be watching them, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

The grids. The tub is too small and they will likely jump out.

[Paula]

The plastic tub is smaller than their cage, right? Using that for floor time kind of defeats the purpose - which is to give them lots of space to run around and explore, encouraging exercise.

[3piggymomma]

Thanks! I plan to buy extra grids anyway to make a cage stand, I will just buy even more extras to make a pen, or order one, whatever I find cheaper. Thank you again

[ferndalezoo]

We don't personally pen for floor time. We use babygates to block off the kitchen, and then mop it up afterward.

[gooberific]

Definitely try to use the grids. I use grids and baby gates to block off parts of the kitchen, or the hallway (but with an almost fully potty trained kid and the bathroom door in the hallway, the hallway's not a good idea for us lately). Sometimes I will even make a circle with the grids I have tied together and put it on the living room floor. As long as it's something different, and at least a little bit bigger than their cage (much larger than the cage would be ideal, but we can't always make that happen).

[Skeetersmom]

I started using a large baby pool. It works great and it is easy to clean up afterwards. It is a little bigger than the ferret playpens they sell so I thought it would work well. The sides are about 8-10 inches high.

[fieryone]

We use grids, too. If you zip tie them together then they're very easy to set up and then fold up and put away. We put a waterproof tablecloth (and previously a shower curtain) on the floor covered with an old comforter or large mattress pad and put the grids around it. It works out well and is easy to clean up. Now that it's nice I just bring the tablecloth outside and hose it off and throw the comforter or mattress pad in the wash.

[Froggirl009]

for floor time I close all the doors in the hallway and I put a baby gate at the end of the hallway.

[CavyMama]

For floor time, I usually close the bedroom/bathroom doors and gate off the door to the living room and let my pigs have full run of the kitchen. I put their hidey houses and food dishes out there and just let them run.

[fieryone]

Originally Posted by CavyMama

For floor time, I usually close the bedroom/bathroom doors and gate off the door to the living room and let my pigs have full run of the kitchen. I put their hidey houses and food dishes out there and just let them run.

I've thought of doing something like this, but always worried that they would try to go behind the stove or fridge. Do you have this problem or is it an unnecessary fear on my part?

[LauraBean]

My girls cage is in our den, which also doubles as my sons playroom. For floor time, they get the run of the room (which used to be a one car garage, so it's very good sized)
The room is baby gated, and baby and pig proof. They also adore hiding under, and playing with the baby's toys

[Peggysu]

With my girls I take a big tarp and lay it out, throw some towels and fleece down put some grids around the perimeter and it's double the size of the cage. Now with the addition of the new male I let him run around the whole living room without having to block anything off because he comes right to us.

I would love to use the kitchen except mine is way to small and it's part of the living room. If it gets hot here they like the option to lay on the cool floor though so I'll just use grids to go accross the whole entire room and use a water barrier where I put their hay, food and water.

[CavyMama]

Originally Posted by fieryone

I've thought of doing something like this, but always worried that they would try to go behind the stove or fridge. Do you have this problem or is it an unnecessary fear on my part?

I thought of this too and anywhere that I feel they might try to squeeze between, I would block that area off so they couldn't get to it. As it is, my pigs usually just hang out in the igloos or make piggy trains around the kitchen.

If you're concerned that they might try to squeeze behind something, just piggy proof the kitchen before you let them have the floor.

I usually go around and sweep up anything that they might try to eat or pick up anything they might try to chew on (cords, plastic bags, etc). I block any spaces they might try to climb into.