My take on the C&C cage with ramps

[csete]

My take on the C&C cage with ramps

The C&C cages are excellent. In my design I decided to use bent cubes and coroplast to build the ramp, tunnel and skyway. I used stick-on bathtub no-slip to make it so the guineas could climb the ramp. I have some pictures online at (broken link removed)

 

[peachygrl]

Re: My take on the C&C cage with ramps

That is such an awesome, creative cage! My boys just have a simple 2x4 C&C cage with a corner hay rack. How many cubes did you use total? I would love to add a second level to my boys' house but I was unsure about how to engineer the ramps - your design looks perfect!

Great job!

 

[csete]

Re: My take on the C&C cage with ramps

Assuming I counted correctly, there are 33 cube grids in the design. The "hidden" ones are underneath the upper levels (4), the one that acts as a tunnel under the ramp (to make the angle easier for the piggers to climb) and the 4 that make up the ramp and skyway. I don't know how many cable ties I put in (a lot to make sure it stays together). It used a complete 4' x 8' sheet of coroplast plus another one half that size. I have some scraps leftover, but not a lot.

 

[semcavylover]

Wonderful!!!

The mansion is so adorable! I absolutely love it! How were you able to bend the cubes for the ramp and skyway? You are very crafty, I would love to live where your boys are, ha ha ha!! Wonderful job!

 

[csete]

RE: Wonderful

Thanks.

Bending the cubes just took some muscle and patience... That was probably the toughest part of the ramp/skyway. They are bent into thirds, which is fairly easy to pick out if you look at the cubes. The outside metal is pretty tough, but once you get it started, you can *carefully* bend it against something soft (I used the carpet on the floor and my thumbs where I wanted the bend).

 

[semcavylover]

Thank You!!

I am going to try out my craftiness (ha ha ha) and make my 2x4 like your boys' mansion!!! Does your cage fit on a table just like the regular 2x4 cage or do you have it on cubes? I am just so excited, your pigs look so happy, and the cage looks like so much fun. You did an absolutely wonderful job!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

 

[Nibblet8]

Great Idea!

LOVE IT!

 

[Nibblet8]

Big Fat Copy Cat

I am a big fat copy cat and I don't care who knows it!

<img src="https://members.rogers.com/pigsinspace/newramp.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

I plan to upgrade to a 2X4 with two upper levels and a skyway. Just like yours!

<img src="https://members.rogers.com/pigsinspace/richandlianne.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

 

[csete]

Glad to be of service!

I'm glad to hear that others like my design. I was proud of it before, but I'm thrilled that others like it.

I've made one minor change that I think others should probably do for the safety of their little friends. The whole thing is very strong with the exception of the "junction" of the upper floor(s). I recently reinforced that junction with some cable ties to make sure that the whole thing wouldn't come apart. With those in place, the whole thing seems plenty secure even to handle the boys when they start popcorning like little maniacs.

Enjoy.

 

[csete]

Glad to be of service!

I'm glad to hear that others like my design. I was proud of it before, but I'm thrilled that others like it.

I've made one minor change that I think others should probably do for the safety of their little friends. The whole thing is very strong with the exception of the "junction" of the upper floor(s). I recently reinforced that junction with some cable ties to make sure that the whole thing wouldn't come apart. With those in place, the whole thing seems plenty secure even to handle the boys when they start popcorning like little maniacs.

Enjoy.

 

[Zeusaqua]

Re: Glad to be of service!

Wow! That is just wonderful!

 

[menovalee]

Re: My take on the C&C cage with ramps

Wow! That is a GREAT cage! I am impressed and inspired! Is the cage stable, or is it top heavy? I am a little worried that a two level cage would make it easier to tip over. Is yours resting on the floor, or a table, or what? You are so creative!

 

[Zeusaqua]

Re: My take on the C&C cage with ramps

What did you use for footing on the ramp and bridge?

 

[csete]

Stability

To answer a couple of questions. The two upper-level sections are very stable. That was my original concern as well, but I'm very particular and it is very stable for my guys. In the end, that is why I went with two small upper levels rather than trying to stretch it out and make one that was too large.

I'm not sure about the question about "footing". If the question is how I made the ramp so they could climb it without slipping, I used bathtub stick on no-stick things. They provide plenty of grip for the guys. I also added the little bridge/tunnel under the ramp so that the angle wasn't so steep. I didn't do anything special on the skyway, as the bent cubes provide walls so the guys can't fall off.

The bent cube design really provides a nice level of safety to keep the guys from getting hurt when they decide to fun around the house at full speed.

Hope that helps... If not, keep asking questions.

 

[semcavylover]

table, rubbermaid bins, or built cubes stand?

What do you have the cage on top of?

 

[csete]

Cage Stand

We had a an extra table around and the cage is sitting on top of that. Thankfully, the table had 2 extra leaves, so it was big enough to put the whole works on top.

 

[semcavylover]

Thank you!

That was a great idea, thank you very much for your reply. We went to work this weekend, thank goodness for Thanksgiving break, and the cage looks absolutely wonderful. We made a 2x6 with a 2x2 only on one end. We wanted to put one on the other end, and make the skyway but we weren't as crafty as we were hoping to be. Anyway, it looks really good and we were able to put it up off the floor using rubbermaid bins! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful cage, you did a great job!!!

 

[dynamo23]

Re: My take on the C&C cage with ramps

First of all, your cage looks great!

We made the mistake of buying a pet store cage, and although it is a 2-floor one and is larger than usual pet-smart cages, I am going to make a 2x4 C&C-design cage tomorrow.

I really like your design, and will most likely try to create something like it. The only concern/question I have is how did you make the "entry way" holes in the metal grids? Did you simply cut the metal? If so, did you have to file/grind it down to get rid of a sharp edge?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated. TIA

 

[csete]

Attaching the ramp/walkway

Good question dynamo. I used some heavy wire cutters to cut out the openings and then a file to file down the sharp points I couldn't get with the cutters. I attached them with a large number of plastic wire zip-locks. I check the attachment every so often to make sure my little guys haven't decided to chew into their support stucture!

 

[semcavylover]

doorways

After filing down the sharp edges, I cut the plastic report binders down to size and stuck them on with a few zip ties. I too check it every once in a while to make sure everything is secure.