I'm thinking about going back to using c&c cages. What do you think? Cause I'm thinking that the odor problem I have is also because of the wooden cage? What should I do?
Here is a set up of a c&c cage that I would like to build or at least something similar to this:
That cage is fine for 2 - 3 pigs. If you choose to copy their design, please add side rails to the loft and ramp.
Personally I would go with a simpler C&C design. I say this because it would be much easier to clean without all those lofts and ramps. You can get ever nook and cranny when spot cleaning and doing a full cage clean to help control odors. Plus something simpler would give the pigs more room to run, all the lofts and ramps in the cage you pictured take up a lot of room!
Originally Posted by lissie
I was going to make it the same way, but instead of the long side(against the wall) being 4 grids, I was going to make it 5 or 6 grids long there. So the other side across from it was going to be 3 or 4 grids instead of 2 grids. I also already have a ramp I was planning to use which I used when I had my other c&c cage. I'm starting to not like the wooden cage due to the fact that it may be the reason for the odor.
Last edited by mommmyof2; 08-09-12 at 01:30 pm.
The place I can put it makes it easy for me to be able to spot clean without a problem. I like the design because it's big and they can sleep under the top loft and have all that extra space to run and exercise while in the cage. But I know what you are trying to say. If I do a simpler design i'm going to want to keep changing it and stuff and I finally found a design I wouldn't want to change at all. I was going to make it the same way, but instead of the long side(against the wall) being 4 grids, I was going to make it 5 or 6 grids long there. So the other side across from it was going to be 3 or 4 grids instead of 2 grids.
Did you put any waterproofing material on your wood cage?
Yea but the odor is still there. I wish I knew why.
I ADORE single level cages for the cavys.
I sorta like Whistles' 2X4 with 1X2 loft. But he didn't seem to enjoy it too much.
Now that he has a 2X5(1X2 of it is a seperate kitchen) he loves his. I often see him running marathons.
Not to mention the single levels are just so easier to clean. I'm sure as a piggy, exploring the different areas would be fun, but having the space to run is much more fun. Lastly, most ramps or walkways aren't going to be comfortably big enough for 2 pigs. And should a piggy get testy about having to back up or squeeze through, that'll be a site to see.
What is a "kitchen" if you all don't mind me asking??
A kitchen is where you keep most if not all the pigs pellets, hay, fruits, veggies and water.
Ahhh....that makes sense. I thought maybe it was a bathroom area.
Is it possible to potty train piggies to go in only 1 or 2 spots? I know you can train rabbits....
A "kitchen" is a section of the cage (that's usually in a small litterbox and such) where the pigs' hay rack is as well as possibly their pellets, and it is filled with aspen, carefresh, etc. instead of fleece. Since pigs go to the bathroom where they eat, some people have luck keeping the cage cleaner by having a kitchen and then changing out the bedding there while the rest of the cage stays cleaner longer.
See the area in the back with the "barrier", tunnel, water bottle, bowl, and hay box? That is Mr. Whistles kitchen. A "kitchen" in the cages is used to keep most of the urine/poos in 1 area. Mine is also used to keep 95% of his hay in 1 area so I'm not chasing hay strands all over the cage.
ETA: this area's bedding can be either fleece, carefresh, pine or aspen shavings.
That's an awesome cage! I wish I had the space to build one like that. We live in a 1 bedroom apartment with a dog and cat though....there's not a lot of empty space.
Why the fleece? I used Carefresh for the longest time but it is just so expesive. I recently switched to Aspen shavings since they're cheaper. How does the fleece work exactly?
Thank you!That's an awesome cage! I wish I had the space to build one like that. We live in a 1 bedroom apartment with a dog and cat though....there's not a lot of empty space.
Why the fleece? I used Carefresh for the longest time but it is just so expesive. I recently switched to Aspen shavings since they're cheaper. How does the fleece work exactly?
I find fleece to be so much more better than any bedding because your guineas aren't sitting in urine soaked bedding and also, ITS REUSABLE! You're not having to go buy another bag of bedding. You're saving money on their bedding and reducing so much waste during cage cleanings. The only time you're spending money on bedding is when you want to buy a new fleece pattern. And when you're paying the extra $5 on the electric and water bills. My electric bill didn't even increase by $5. It was more like $3.
This link gives VERY helpful info on fleece. I often refer back to it. http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...ect-study.html
One thing this link doesn't list is using Uhual pads. http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...l-blanket.html
porkchophamster (08-13-12)
Thanks! I will have to consider that. There was another thread though stating that the fleece was not going so well for them and it was smelling.
As I stated in my 1st comment, if you're having more than 2 guineas, you may have to add more layers under the fleece to soak up their urine.
Another idea that helps remove most of the smells is layering a coupla uhual square cutouts under the fleece/guinea favorite spots and replacing these with fresh squares everyday.
Lastyl, sweeping or vaccuming their poos everyday also removes some of the cage smells.
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