I'm trying to design a cage for a class guinea pig. I've come up with the basic design, but there are a few details that I would love some advice on.
Basic design (attached rough draft)
1) has to be on wheels
2) has to have a base to lift it to the right height
3) has to have a tortoise tank on top of about 2/3 (not exact measurements for either yet)
4) has to be strong enough for the tank
5) loft next to cage (optional)
Other questions:
1) Would it be safe to leave the loft uncovered? We want to give her as much light and openess as possible and this would make it easier to feed her treats and interact with her. There are no other pets like cats or dogs, but it is a classroom so we want to make sure it's safe.
2) What would be the best type of door for us to use? Our idea is currently to have two doors on the front of the bottom part that cover half each and open outwards so that we can pull the coroplast out to change bedding but can open only half to take her out so she can't accidently fall out while we are getting her. We don't know for the loft yet.
3) What would be the best materials for us to use? Our only idea so far is a wooden frame and back, some sort of chicken wire like mesh on front and sides, coroplast stuff on the bottom and part of the back. We want to make sure that is safe for guinea pigs and strong enough to support the cage while giving her light and openness. We also have a very very limited budget so we are trying to find the cheapest way to make the best cage we can.
Basic design (attached rough draft)
1) has to be on wheels
2) has to have a base to lift it to the right height
3) has to have a tortoise tank on top of about 2/3 (not exact measurements for either yet)
4) has to be strong enough for the tank
5) loft next to cage (optional)
Other questions:
1) Would it be safe to leave the loft uncovered? We want to give her as much light and openess as possible and this would make it easier to feed her treats and interact with her. There are no other pets like cats or dogs, but it is a classroom so we want to make sure it's safe.
2) What would be the best type of door for us to use? Our idea is currently to have two doors on the front of the bottom part that cover half each and open outwards so that we can pull the coroplast out to change bedding but can open only half to take her out so she can't accidently fall out while we are getting her. We don't know for the loft yet.
3) What would be the best materials for us to use? Our only idea so far is a wooden frame and back, some sort of chicken wire like mesh on front and sides, coroplast stuff on the bottom and part of the back. We want to make sure that is safe for guinea pigs and strong enough to support the cage while giving her light and openness. We also have a very very limited budget so we are trying to find the cheapest way to make the best cage we can.