C&C Putting as much cage as possible in a smaller space?

[doganddisc]

Hey guys,
My current cage is a 2 x 3 and houses three boars. The newest boar is a very recent addition and I got him with the intention of expanding in the near future- that time has definitely come since I don't want my boys fighting over space when the new baby starts to mature!

The cage is against a 61" wall, so I could theoretically figure out a way to make it that long and still be able to get into my door (there are a -er- few other animals in the room as well and their cages take up space too ).

Making the cage any deeper is going to take away what little floor space I have left, so I want to try to avoid doing that.

My thought here is that I need to build up. The problem is, the cage is already on a stand (made of cubes) because I use the bottom level for storage- and do have a dog that comes over that isn't good with the pigs. My dogs don't care about them and are not in the room unsupervised, but the visiting dog tires to get into the cage, presumably to eat them. I want to make sure the pigs are safe from this dog, even though he is also never in the room unsupervised and is usually tied up when we are in there.

So what is the best solution for fitting a large cage in a small area? I am currently looking at a fourth guinea pig if I can figure out a good set-up and am not against separating the boars into groups of two and creating two levels of cage. I'm just not sure how to do this on top of a stand.

 

[Onetwo]

Sounds like you've got your hands full already! Please don't get overwhelmed. Animals are not cheap and I would hate to see you rehoming them if there was an emergency medical bill. Before you adopt a 4th PLEASE be sure you have at LEAST a $500 emergency vet fun for each animal!

If you give more info on the space, other animals dimensions, furniture and such I'm sure someone tech savy on here could draw up your room and come up with a floor plan, storage solution and show you how you can get the biggest cage possible for them. From experience with boys there is no way I'd put 2 boys in a 2x3 let alone 3 boys. LOL

 

[doganddisc]

The boys have been very good thus far- the two older boars are very mellow and have been together for quite awhile- I've never had any issues with them.

The newest boar is still a baby- and he's definitely going to be the butthead of the group. There is a lot more rumblestrutting going on now (I hadn't heard ANY when there were only the two boars). No teeth chattering yet.

This is what the room looks like right now. For some stupid reason, I don't have a good shot of the guinea pig cage (this is newly reorganized as the GP cage was next to my bed on the opposite wall about a month ago but has since been moved so the troublesome dog doesn't have easy access to them). The first photo is as much of the room as I could get into one shot. The second photo has the GP cage (or at least the bottom of it and the wall it's against) in it, behind the mouse. I'll try to get a better picture during the day tomorrow.



And I would never even think of neglecting to provide my animals with necessary vet care because of cost. They are all spoiled, get daily veggies, and are well loved parts of my family. There are just a lot of them!

 

[lissie]

What is next to the hay bag in the corner? I see lots of empty space there if you move the hay bag and the litter box out.

Edit to add:
For stacked cages, you can build them like these.

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[doganddisc]

Thank you Lissie, those photos are perfect examples of what I'm thinking about building! I was trying to find some in the photos section but I'm not very good at navigating it. Those are great!

The thing in the corner is a rat cage that opens outward. There is actually a refrigerator for veggies next to the mouse rack now, so that space is pretty much filled. The cat box is no longer there because it belonged to a foster kitty that got adopted. My only option really is that one wall.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

I would not have three in a 2x3 even if you expanded upwards, let alone a fourth pig. I recommend expanding it to a 2x4 at the very minimum and just stick with the three. If you are set on getting the fourth pig, separate them into two cages.

 

[doganddisc]

I would not have three in a 2x3 even if you expanded upwards, let alone a fourth pig. I recommend expanding it to a 2x4 at the very minimum and just stick with the three. If you are set on getting the fourth pig, separate them into two cages.

No, the idea is to build two 2x3 or 2x4 (if I can make it fit) cages stacked on top of each other. Then separate two and two.

I had boars that fought in the past and it was a nightmare. I want to avoid having that happen. The new addition was unexpected and so I didn't have time to prepare a cage before I got him

Similar to the first photo in Lissie's post.

EDIT:

Come to think of it, if I just make it a 2x4 might that be enough space for three boars? Or should I plan to go two and two?

 

[2198lindsey]

If you're getting a fourth, make it 2 and 2. Bur for 3 at the minimum expand to a 2x4.

No, the idea is to build two 2x3 or 2x4 (if I can make it fit) cages stacked on top of each other. Then separate two and two.

I had boars that fought in the past and it was a nightmare. I want to avoid having that happen. The new addition was unexpected and so I didn't have time to prepare a cage before I got him

Similar to the first photo in Lissie's post.

EDIT:

Come to think of it, if I just make it a 2x4 might that be enough space for three boars? Or should I plan to go two and two?

 

[Onetwo]

Personally I would pair down on the books and try to eliminate as much furniture and extras as possible. You can make a pretty decent storage area with cubes under the cage. I have a 3x6 and have extra fleece, hay, food and such in bins under the cage. The 10 gallon grey bins at walmart for just under $5 each can fit under a 1x1.5 cube area so I can have 12 of those under my cage. Its easier to clean and the lids keep everything poop and dust free!

You could use cubes too to make a shelf system for the current animal tanks as well that way it will all have one look!

Good to hear that you have plans in place to provide excellent care. No one likes to have sick animals or emergency visits but it happens more often than not so its best to be prepared financially!

For 3 boars I personally wouldn't go smaller than a 2x6. I always use the rule of thumb of at least a 2x2 per pig. SO 2 pigs 2x4 (they each have 2x2 space) 3 pigs 2x6, 4 pigs 2x8 and etc... I have 5 male pigs so that would be a 2x10. I built a 3x6 which is just a tad smaller but I also built in bunk beds so that helps because then I don't need houses/beds in the way of their running space!

 

[doganddisc]

These are are wonderful tips, thank you everyone!

Here are better photos of the room:



That double bookcase is something I've considered removing several times but haven't been able to figure out where to put the stuff that comes out of it. The area under the bed is really full with storage. Because I live with my parents, everything has to fit in my room unless I manage to sneak it out for storage in the attic.

 

[KaileighRussell]

Under bed storage containers are a godsend. I had to get rid of some furniture in my old apartment to make way for my mega cage for my three girls (3x4). If you were to get some of those (ikea sells soft sided ones) you can get rid of that block storage shelf-thingy and expand out a couple of more grids.

If not, verticle space is your best friend. I found that building up is a wonderful tool - especially if you can get a two level cage with ramp. I noticed that you have wood shavings - a recommendation (both in space and cash) would be fleece. You can wash it and from experience shaking it outside and using a bit of bleach the smell is non-existent. Puppy training pads are a great way to whick away smell as well!

I would say that get the space proper for three before you bring in a fourth - lest you end up with fighting and have nowhere to put some of them. I have three girls right now who can't be in anything smaller than 2x4 (and even in that they're arguing). I would love to bring in a couple of boys - but not before I get the permanent space for them.

 

[Onetwo]

There are lifts available at walmart and you put them under the feet of your bed (If you have a metal frame of course) and then you could fit maybe 2 under bed storage boxes on top of each other.

I would definitely consider selling some of your books and only keeping ones that are the most special to you. If you want to reread them you could borrow them from the library. Or pass them onto a sibling or other friend or family member?

Also to save space you could ask your parents if they will allow you to remove the door from your closet. Then you could leave it open or get a small tension rod and put up a curtain. Then you can put stuff right up to the opening and not have to worry about too much room to swing the door open.

Also you could swing your bed around and have the head of the bed right under the lower window and then you can walk all the way around the bed but also have a little more wall space.

Think vertical for storage too. Maybe you could install some shelves along the ceiling for storage? I love having shelves up around the normally wasted space. You can get some nice fabric boxes and store school supplies, books, cds, pics, decorations all on the shelves.

 

[doganddisc]

Under bed storage containers are a godsend. I had to get rid of some furniture in my old apartment to make way for my mega cage for my three girls (3x4). If you were to get some of those (ikea sells soft sided ones) you can get rid of that block storage shelf-thingy and expand out a couple of more grids.

If not, verticle space is your best friend. I found that building up is a wonderful tool - especially if you can get a two level cage with ramp. I noticed that you have wood shavings - a recommendation (both in space and cash) would be fleece. You can wash it and from experience shaking it outside and using a bit of bleach the smell is non-existent. Puppy training pads are a great way to whick away smell as well!

I would say that get the space proper for three before you bring in a fourth - lest you end up with fighting and have nowhere to put some of them. I have three girls right now who can't be in anything smaller than 2x4 (and even in that they're arguing). I would love to bring in a couple of boys - but not before I get the permanent space for them.

I am not a fan of fleece. I used to house them on it but it got dirty way too quickly, presumably because the cage is so small. I've used it in the past and found it to be rather stinky :/. I use woodchips with puppy pads underneath now and have had pretty good luck with that. I'm pretty sure one of my boars (Loki, the one in my avatar) is kind of a stinky boar and likes to spread his little scent everywhere he goes, so he was a brat about being on fleece. His butt is usually trimmed up nice and short but he still manages to get really stinky after a week.

 

[Onetwo]

He was just marking the fleece as his. It will stop after a few weeks. Yes your cage is way too small for fleece to work properly. Fleece is especially preferred for long haired pigs because there is less of a mess getting chips stuck in the fur. But maybe you will like it or not later. I have 5 males and I LOVE fleece!

 

[doganddisc]

I used fleece for several months- it was a lot of upkeep. When I have a larger cage, I'll have no problem going back to fleece. But for now, I have to figure out how to fit that larger cage

 

[KaileighRussell]

I would definitely say that under-bed storage is your friend. Just because of the amount of things you can store in them.

Can you store your books in the attic and ditch the bookshelf? I had to do the exact same thing in my old apartment - if you can, you can easily get some more space for a cage. How good are your parents about you storing your things in their house outside your room?

 

[doganddisc]

I would definitely say that under-bed storage is your friend. Just because of the amount of things you can store in them.

Can you store your books in the attic and ditch the bookshelf? I had to do the exact same thing in my old apartment - if you can, you can easily get some more space for a cage. How good are your parents about you storing your things in their house outside your room?

If I store things outside the room I have to be sneaky about it. They'll never notice once it's there, but they'll give me the third degree when I'm on my way to put it there. I wouldn't put it past them to throw it out on me either.

The large bookshelf by the door contains books and DVDs that I use frequently. The books on the top shelf are my Harry Potter books, most of which are first editions, so I don't fancy the idea of them getting thrown out on me.

I think the solution is finding a way to condense everything to one bookshelf. This will free up space in one of the areas of the room.

I like the idea of organizing the under bed storage a little better. There is A LOT of stuff under there but much of it can be thrown out. I'll have a project to do tonight!

 

[KaileighRussell]

Welcome to bedroom tetris! Difficulty level: Expert!

 

[Onetwo]

Well don't forget to take pics of the process! I have a HUGE fetish for organizing! LOL

I say the first thing you need to do is assess what you REALLY need and what you CAN live without. Don't keep clothes that do not currently fit or flatter you. There is no point even if it was a gift!

If you set up a pandora account and/or a netflix account you can listen to music and watch tv right on your comp and then can sell off your cds and dvds except for maybe a dozen of your absolute favs!

Next set up organizationally functional space. Put things that are the least used in the hardest to reach places. Put the most frequently used items in the easiest places.

I would definately consider asking about some near the ceiling storage shelves. This is a pic of my previous cage before I moved to my current apartment...

I store a LOT of stuff up on those shelves. I still have shelves they are now in every room of the apt but now there are 2 rows! LOL

I no longer have my cage on the tables I have a cage stand now.

This is my current cage:

https://www.guineapigcages.com/foru...-i-gonna-completely-rebuild-cage-again-i.html

 

[sabrinaxceleste]

I swear we're having the exact same problem! Except, I have three girls. Same size cage, same space issue, same inability to have things outside the room - except I live with my boyfriend's parents. =P I actually plan on making a post with pics of my own room to see if anyone else has any ideas myself, but I'll have to keep an eye on this thread!
Between two dressers, built into the wall shelving, a bookshelf that houses school books/personal care (yay not being allowed to keep our stuff in the bathroom!), and having the bed on the floor (no underbed storage...wah), it certainly is a pickle.