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Size How to amplify my space?

Brianne

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This is my current cage:
https://s749.photobucket.com/albums/xx132/briannebarkley/?action=view&current=gp4.jpg (<script class="js-extraPhrases" type="application/json"> { "lightbox_close": "Close", "lightbox_next": "Next", "lightbox_previous": "Previous", "lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.", "lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow", "lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow", "lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen", "lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails", "lightbox_download": "Download", "lightbox_share": "Share", "lightbox_zoom": "Zoom", "lightbox_new_window": "New window", "lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar" } </script> <div class="bbImageWrapper js-lbImage" title="th_gp4.jpg" data-src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi749.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx132%2Fbriannebarkley%2Fth_gp4.jpg&amp;hash=44fa511c4e331164cb34d61bd8f29427" data-lb-sidebar-href="" data-lb-caption-extra-html="" data-single-image="1"> <img src="/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi749.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx132%2Fbriannebarkley%2Fth_gp4.jpg&amp;hash=44fa511c4e331164cb34d61bd8f29427" data-url="https://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx132/briannebarkley/th_gp4.jpg" class="bbImage" data-zoom-target="1" style="" alt="th_gp4.jpg" title="" width="" height="" loading="lazy" /> </div>)

As you can see, it is the min requirement of 2x4 BUT it's split in two because my two pigs (males) get into fights when they're together. Now, the problem is - they fight but they also hate to be apart. :rolleyes: They lay next to each other by the cage divider and purr, but when I let them out for exercise, they chitter and rumble strut, and the one jumps on the other quite aggressively.

So I can't put them in one giant cage (though I'd like to) and I can't take the divider out. I would love to have space for two full 2x3 cages next to each other, but I can't put it on my floor (my dog is way to curious for his own good!) so I have a problem here. I also still live at home (in university) so hopefully when I move out soon (in the next 6 months I should hope) I will have a 2 bedroom, and will be able to put them on the floor in the second bedroom. But for now, I can't think for the life of me of how to set them up. I wish they had more space to run around, and I hate how cluttered and disorganized their cage looks!

Thanks for any ideas guys! :confused:
 

sdpiggylvr

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Have you tried separating the males for a few weeks (as if you're quarantining them) and then trying to re-bond them? Try a buddy bath, that worked well with me. Read THIS.

Regarding the cage, you could make a cover for the cage so that you can make it a proper size and still have the divider. Check out the photo gallery HERE for ideas. Also, THIS area of the photo gallery may be of some help to you.

In a perfect world, your two males would get along perfectly and you could have them in a large cage together, but since this isn't that perfect world, you may have to just make do with the two 2x3 cages next to each other with a divider. Perhaps they will get along better soon. I give you my best!
 

RRDominick

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I've always read that if there is not serious fighting problems, like blood shed you should let them sort whose in charge on their own. My guys have done that, they have lived together for about 3-4 months now and things are good. Every once and awhile my big boy may rumble to remind the other whose in charge. I would make sure that you have 3 places to hide, one more then you have piggies. That could help.
 

Brianne

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I may have to try that soon. Problem was that before (last summer) the reason I started worrying is because my other body had what looked like scabs on him, and hair missing. It looked like teeth marks, so I took him out and quarantined for a while (didn't know what i was at that point). They healed right up and he's never had any since, so I know my other pig was just getting way to violent. I may let them exercise together more often to help maybe. I'm gonna try to make two 2x3 cages with hay lofts, gotta figure a way to keep them up high though.
 

lissie

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Don't let them exercise together. If you're going to do an intro, it has to be neutral area where both of them have never been to. If they get along, keep them together. If you keep putting them together and taking them apart, it will make things worse. They'll have to sort out their order every tine you do intro.

Once they get along, clean the cage very well to remove all their scent. Vinegar and water work very well for this.

Try to have at least 3 hideys with multiple opennings in the cage. This really help so no one gets trapped. You'll also need 2 of everything else: water bottles, food dishes, hay racks.
 

Kitara_CavyMom

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I'm gonna try to make two 2x3 cages with hay lofts, gotta figure a way to keep them up high though.


Try using stands made of cubes on either sides of the table where they hang off, this should keep them stable I believe. Many people use stands to expand their space!
 

Brianne

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Try using stands made of cubes on either sides of the table where they hang off, this should keep them stable I believe. Many people use stands to expand their space!

Thanks! I'll definitely remember that. I'm going to try and find a free kitchen table (surprising how many there are on Kijiji) first though, cause that would be easy and sturdy :)
 

Jazlyn

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Try washing the cage with hot water & vinegar also, if you plan to re-introduce them.
 

ferndalezoo

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Your cage really isn't "the minimum size", because it's not one cage. It's 2, 2x2, and that is too small a space for either one. You definitely need to expand each side to at least a 2x3, even if you eventually end up keeping them apart. Don't put them together and then take them apart (play time together). That just confuses them and causes them to have to re-do the entire bonding process each time. Not good. I'd separate them completely (like quarantine) for a while, then redo the WHOLE intro thing, just like they never met. See how that goes. Be sure to read the pages on how to do intros to be sure you do it right. Also, how old are your boys?
 

rabbitsncavyluv

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How old are they?

Some males will fight in anything smaller than a 2 by 5 or 2 by 6. A loft may help too.
 

Brianne

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Yea, I'm expanding it this weekend to give them each a 2x3 and a 2x1 loft :)
They were 1 year old in December, so about 1 year 3 months or so. My one boy, Gizmo, may be about a month older cause he was a good amount larger than Rambo when I got both of them.
 

1frankie7

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Well, Before you put the divider in, Could you try to re-do intros on nutrual(sp) territory then put them in the 2x6 with two 1x2 lofts? They may improve!!!
 

ferndalezoo

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If you look at the picture-- the divider is already in. At that age, both pigs are going through puberty, and might just be particuarly bratty right now. In a few months when they're over it, re-intros might go more smoothly.
 

Sirene

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Just reiterating what others have said - my boys (aged 2.5 and 1) fought CONSTANTLY when I got them. They were in a 1x2 pet store cage that the previous owner had put a divider into when they fought, giving the poor things 1x1 each! I really feared the worst - I thought I was going to have to build 2 cages and get 2 more "buddies" for them.

As soon as I put them in the 2x4 C&C with 2 of everything (bowls, hideys, bottles, hayracks), though, the fighting lessened, and after a few days it stopped altogether. Now they rumble at each other occasionally, but I wouldn't consider separating them. All they needed was a bit more space, and places to get away from each other at times.

I love the idea of a 2x6 with 2 1x2 lofts - sounds wonderful! Good luck with your little guys!
 

Brianne

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Thanks! I'm going to build a new cage, and get fleece. And I'll wait a while to re-introduce them and see how it goes. I'd really like them to get along so they can have a nice big open cage to run in. Hopefully all goes well next time! They use to LOVE each other when they were babies, it only got bad when they hit about 6 or 7 months old.
 
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