Upper Levels Easy way to make an upper level?

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

Some of you may know already, I had to separate my newly introed trio (Wirgley, Badger, and Guinea) yesterday. Their cage was 3x7 so I just sectioned it off. Guinea is in a 3x3, and Wrigley and Badger in a 3x4. I really am considering making an upper kitchen level for both cages but I am really intimidated by it! LOL! I would like to make a 2x3 for Guinea and a 2x4 for Wrigley and Badger for the upper levels.
I feel bad for them since my 4 boys are housed in a huge 4.5x5 cage together.

I only have 1 grid area for floor space but would put the other half over the cages they have now. Also, what is the best type of ramp to use? So many questions!

Thanks all

anything and everything you know about upper levels and ramps are MUCH appreciated!

Amalee · May 28, 2013

Take some pictures?

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

Amalee said:
Take some pictures?

Will do!

lissie · May 28, 2013

Seems like the upper levels will be pretty big. You'd probably need to add doors on the lower level to be able to access for cleaning, or make the upper level lift off for cleaning.

AllThesePiggies · May 28, 2013

Upper levels really aren't that difficult to add. I wouldn't be intimidated by it.

It's basically just like making a regular cage, but you're stacking it on top. The only thing is, you're putting grids on the bottom as a base. Also, I'd use grid connectors instead of just zip-ties. You'll also need supports for it, and since it's so big, I'd probably use two or three supports. You can use PVC pipes cut to size or something similar.

For the ramp, I just used grids and bent them in half. Then I put coroplast wrapped in towels/fleece for absorbency and traction. I used two grids bent in half with a ton of zip-ties keeping them together.

Also, make sure you'll be able to clean everything fairly easily. If you make the upper levels and it makes it harder for your to clean your cages, you will quickly come to hate it.

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

This was taken just now, so it's current!

don't mind the messines- although something tells me you all won't mind :crazy:

lissie · May 28, 2013

From the pic, if you add an upper level, it will block off your storage.

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

lissie said:
From the pic, if you add an upper level, it will block off your storage.

I plan on moving all of those things up along that wall.

lissie · May 28, 2013

My recommendations. Make the lofts lift off. Each loft will be it's own cage. The support is made from wood. (2x2 lumber, cut to the length of your cage + extra inches, which should be around 100")
You'd need to cut an opening in the grid for part where it connects to the ramp. Didn't draw that in the 3D.

Whole room

Lofts lifted off

Loft floor

lissie · May 28, 2013

Close up of the support

Forgot to mention, 2x2 lumber is actually measured 1.5" x 1.5"

For the ramp, if you make it from wood, you can attach it to cup hooks. Then you'll be able to lift the ramp off.

lissie · May 28, 2013

Here's a sample pic of a cage with that kind of wood support.
(broken link removed)

lissie · May 28, 2013

Or, make the lofts with their own legs. So there won't be wooden support to block off your lower level when you need to clean.

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

@lissie , Thank you SO much for all the information and making those 3D drawings for me! I have a lot to think about now

lissie · May 28, 2013

You're welcome! I'd love to see pics when you're done.

I'd have to warn you though. If you make the lofts that big, you'll rarely see your pigs. They'll spend most of their time under the loft.

Melissa123 · May 28, 2013

lissie said:
You're welcome! I'd love to see pics when you're done.

I'd have to warn you though. If you make the lofts that big, you'll rarely see your pigs. They'll spend most of their time under the loft.

I was thinking about them spending a lot of time under there actually. I know it would be very difficult to clean the more it covers the main cage too. Do you think 1.5x4 grids by would be decent for 2 boys? I know a 1.5x3 for Guinea should be perfect..
I will be moving all of that stuff away from that wall so 1 grid will fit there, so only a half of a grid would over lap their current cages.

Are there any tricks you know of to get them to go up the ramp easier? Wrigley and Badger have had upper levels at their past owner's home but Guinea has never.
I have to wait 4 days for my sign shop to get their corro in stock. I'm not sure I can wait that long.. Haha. May have to go look somewhere else. I've checked out Home Depot but no one there understands me when I ask if they have it.

Add on: Will for sure share pictures

everydaylou · May 28, 2013

I made a small one using just a rubbermaid container.

I have fleece around the edges I cut so the sharp bits aren't exposed, and I cut the ramp from the rubbermaid lid, then covered it. Works great. I anchored the ramp with wire to the floor of the container.

lissie · May 28, 2013

Melissa123 said:
I was thinking about them spending a lot of time under there actually. I know it would be very difficult to clean the more it covers the main cage too. Do you think 1.5x4 grids by would be decent for 2 boys? I know a 1.5x3 for Guinea should be perfect..
I will be moving all of that stuff away from that wall so 1 grid will fit there, so only a half of a grid would over lap their current cages.

Are there any tricks you know of to get them to go up the ramp easier? Wrigley and Badger have had upper levels at their past owner's home but Guinea has never.
I have to wait 4 days for my sign shop to get their corro in stock. I'm not sure I can wait that long.. Haha. May have to go look somewhere else. I've checked out Home Depot but no one there understands me when I ask if they have it.

Add on: Will for sure share pictures

If you make it overhang like that, you don't even have to lift it up. Two grids wide should be okay too, since only one grid will be above the cage.

Here's a sample of an overhang loft. It's 2x2, but hope you'll get an idea.

lissie · May 28, 2013

When you go to Home Depot, print out this page. You can also check if they have it in stock from this link.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202771364?catalogId=10053

Most employee won't know what you're talking about. It's usually in the window and door section.

Another drawing.

Melissa123 · May 29, 2013

lissie said:
When you go to Home Depot, print out this page. You can also check if they have it in stock from this link.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202771364?catalogId=10053

Most employee won't know what you're talking about. It's usually in the window and door section.

Another drawing.

View attachment 49885

I love this drawing, I think I am going to do this!

Thank you for the links for Home Depot, sadly they don't even carry it in any of my stores near me. I am in the process of looking at other stores, though. Again, thank you very much for all your help.

Melissa123 · May 29, 2013

this is what I am working on at the moment

My local Lowe's had a sale on shelves, $11.00!! I originally wanted to make Guinea's upper level a 2x3 but as I was building it I realized that wasn't necessary since a 2x2 is huge for a solo pig. Wrigley and Badger's upper level will be a 2x3. Excited to see the finished cages!

Will post pics when I am all done!

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