Kelvin Casing
Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2017
- Posts
- 15
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2017
- Messages
- 15
Hi all,
I'm building a C&C cage for my girlfriend's two guinea pigs (Rufus and Arlo) and I'm hoping to benefit from your expertise!
The pigs currently get limited floor time because we have two hungry Maine Coons prowling the premises and it's too cold for the pigs to be in their large outdoor run over the winter. Thus, the cage needs to be as big as possible! I can't abide the cruelty of small cages.
Here's my first attempt. It's triple level with a 2x6 base, two 2x2 lofts and a top kitchen layer of two 2x1 lofts. 24 square grids total:
The challenge is that this is obviously too small. There's still a lot of rumble strutting and dry humping going on, despite the two pigs being bonded brothers (from Rufus... it's always the feisty gingers
). That said, they look miserable when separated.
I have a new shipment coming in that will let me turn the current cage into a 2x9, with an additional 2x2 loft on the second floor. Two of the three 2x2 lofts will also be directly combined into a 2x4 loft. 34 square grids total.
The question is, should I go for a 2x9, or attempt a redesign around a 3x6 format as I've read that boars benefits from greater width? The 3x format poses some structural challenges because my C&C supplier builds all their support bars around a 2x format. That said, a trip to the hardware store and a roll of Gorilla tape could probably create a 3x6 with a complete second floor in the same format (excepting a 2x1 space for a ramp, so it's the same 34 square grid space in total).
As the total floor space is the same, and a 3x format will necessitate a hefty amount of work and additional spending, do you guys think it's worth it for the well-being of the pigs? Does width make that much difference?
Thanks!
I'm building a C&C cage for my girlfriend's two guinea pigs (Rufus and Arlo) and I'm hoping to benefit from your expertise!
The pigs currently get limited floor time because we have two hungry Maine Coons prowling the premises and it's too cold for the pigs to be in their large outdoor run over the winter. Thus, the cage needs to be as big as possible! I can't abide the cruelty of small cages.
Here's my first attempt. It's triple level with a 2x6 base, two 2x2 lofts and a top kitchen layer of two 2x1 lofts. 24 square grids total:
The challenge is that this is obviously too small. There's still a lot of rumble strutting and dry humping going on, despite the two pigs being bonded brothers (from Rufus... it's always the feisty gingers
). That said, they look miserable when separated.I have a new shipment coming in that will let me turn the current cage into a 2x9, with an additional 2x2 loft on the second floor. Two of the three 2x2 lofts will also be directly combined into a 2x4 loft. 34 square grids total.
The question is, should I go for a 2x9, or attempt a redesign around a 3x6 format as I've read that boars benefits from greater width? The 3x format poses some structural challenges because my C&C supplier builds all their support bars around a 2x format. That said, a trip to the hardware store and a roll of Gorilla tape could probably create a 3x6 with a complete second floor in the same format (excepting a 2x1 space for a ramp, so it's the same 34 square grid space in total).
As the total floor space is the same, and a 3x format will necessitate a hefty amount of work and additional spending, do you guys think it's worth it for the well-being of the pigs? Does width make that much difference?
Thanks!
