That is so funny that you mentioned IKEA because I was there today and we got a couple of racks for in the kitchen and used them for hay racks! They work really well!!
I use those too! The ones that hang on the rails! You know you are a total cavy slave when you go to IKEA and grab things to use for the pigs...if only people knew what we use them for, they would look at us like we have lost it. We went to IKEA today too to measure a few things!
Here's my idea I was going to post Thursday after work...
I have 2x4's and I'm thinking of using the IVAR shelving to expand my cages out by another set of grids (to 2x5's). That should be enough room for 3 piggies each (I have 6 pigs total and cross my fingers, they live in peaceful herds of 3 right now).
We have the Vika Amon table tops already with the trestles and so total, the tables we have the cages on are 59"x29", so the 2x4 fits perfectly right now. Problem is, the tables have no room to expand.
So with the boars hitting pigerty, I mean puberty, we need more space. Well, we don't have room for another table top, so we thought that adding the IVAR shelving at the end of each table, we can set the shelf right at the height of the Vika tables and line it up so as to expand to 2x5's.
Plus, then we can add a shelf higher to put a loft on (and have it supported).
And as a bonus, we can add shelves lower to give storage under the tables.
I hope that all makes sense...ugh...I'm reading this over now and it is like mumble jumble! Hard to explain.
Current IKEA items used:
Vika Amon table tops with
Vika Lerberg trestles - this is what our 2x4's sit on now and we use the space under the table for storage. We thought this was better than supporting the cage on grids or on a conference type table because it matches our other IKEA furniture. Yep, we're total dorks.
Items I can use to expand one more set of grids to make a 2x5 and loft:
IVAR shelf - this will line up with the height of the table and the new set of grids will sit on it and of course the sides to hold the shelf
IVAR shelf post and also for added stability the
Observator cross brace. Phew...dang...I hope this is all making sense. Then I would add a shelf above and below the shelf that is lined up the table. The one above would be used to support a loft and the one below would hold additional storage under the table.
Some things we bought today:
The Jabba - we are going to hang this in the cage once in a while when we get the loft installed to dangle treats they can pull off the pins. It will add something different to keep them entertained.
Noje Storage Baskets - We are going to use these as a sort of hidey/toy. They can push it around and run into it. I have one pig that has a little pillow dog toy and he likes to push it around the cage, so this will be fun for him.
Things I wondered if they would be good:
Bastis Cat Tunnel - I see others use this, but it might take up a lot of room in the cage. Probably best for floor time.
Fniss Letter Trays - to put under hay areas.
and the
Signum Cable Organizer - we have 3 pigs that love hammocks, so we thought this might make a good strong hammock, but we'd have to hack the way it hangs.
