C&C Bottom of C&C cage

[trvlpk]

Hello,

My name is Sarah and I am a newbie member as well as a soon to be newbie g.pig owner. I have been doing a LOT of research lately (this forum is a FABULOUS information source ) And was curious.....when some of you build your c&c cages do you make a bottom on it? Do you use some of the cube panels under the coroplast? or do you just use the coroplast "box" inside a cube panel frame? (I hope I am making sense LOL) My inside floor/loft design will obviously be determined by how many cube panels I have....but obviously the amount will be altered by me using them on the bottom of the cage. Any input is appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[Raine59]

I know exactly what you mean. When I first built my cage (2x4) I didnt have the cube panels under the coroplast box as I didn't really think it was necessary. I have my cage on a table. But I found that the sides of the cage tended to bow out and I just felt it wasn't very stable so I added a grid floor and I'm much happier with it now. If I were short on grid panels though and had to make the cage smaller to have enough to make a floor, I wouldn't do it. Some people like to lift the whole grid frame up off the box and move it aside to clean it so if you wanted to be able to do that, obviously having a floor wouldn't work. But I usually just clean the box in place, though I can lift it up out of the cage from the top if I need to.

 

[lissie]

Hi Sarah,

Welcome to GPC! For the cage bottom, if the cage will be sitting on the floor, you do not need grids on the bottom. However, the bottom makes makes moving the cage easier.

If you plan to put it on a table, grids floor make it much sturdier. You could also build a stand from grids, and you'll need to use grids on the cage bottom if you choose build a stand.

 

[Dee_E]

No need for a bottom! Can't wait to see your setup!!!!

When are you getting your Piggy?

 

[pinky]

It's sturdier if you put grids on the bottom. If you plan to move the cage around a lot, you can lift out the coroplast and fold up the grids if you don't have grids on the bottom and attach the sides with zip ties instead of connectors.

 

[trvlpk]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am getting my new fur babies on Saturday. They are a dad and son who are already roomies. I unfortunately am going to have to keep them in a smaller cage for a short amount of time (which they already live in) until I can purchase the coroplast, but want to be as educated as possible before building. I know how flexible building/designing a c&c cage can be, but at the moment I will need to be "frugal" about it. I already have a storage cube unit that I actually just emptied from another organizational project I did so this was free. So if I can create more livable space without the bottom its definitely a plus! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the towel/fleece bedding idea and making beds from them as well because I already have old towels and scraps of fleece available or can acquire them easily and afford-ably - if not even free! My sister runs a flooring store and has TONS of cardboard carpet tubes available for free and I can have fun designing fun things from them to keep these boys happy. They are a great size for guinea pigs! This leaves me with cost of supplies and the coroplast which I can fit into budget, and still have happy healthy piggies!

 

[Raine59]

We can wait to see pics of your cage when you get it done and your new babies. Do you have names picked out? Have you found a source to get your coroplast?

 

[trvlpk]

Well, I know the daddy pig is already called Zorro. The son has yet to have a name so I may let my boys help me pick a name. I did find a sign store called Sign-a-rama that will sell me coroplast by the size I need! And I THINK if I understood the lady when I called they may even cut it for me if I need!

 

[trvlpk]

Yipppeeee! I just was doing some measuring and found a spare piece of paneling out in the garage that would fit under a 2X3 c&c! :-D

 

[trvlpk]

Yet another question.....does it matter if the Coroplast box is inside the crate panels or outside of it? I was informed by the people I got these boys from that the baby loves to chew plastic and was thinking that maybe making the dimensions a bit bigger so it fits outside might be better. What do you all think?

 

[Raine59]

I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work to put the coroplast on the outside even though it's not typical. It might solve the problem of them chewing it. Anyone else think it would or wouldn't work?

 

[Bailey4]

my girls like to chew the bars, but they dont really bother the coroplast...i think it just depends on what you want. it might be a little harder to clean with the grids on the inside, and it might make it harder to put your fleece down.

Congrats on your new piggies, they are amazing pets to have

 

[madelineelaine]

What I did for my cage was put the grids on the outside, and then I made side panels for the coroplast that go up and over, so now coro is exposed on the inside, incase mine get any ideas and want to chew on it. I'm getting them Saturday too!

 

[Raine59]

What I did for my cage was put the grids on the outside, and then I made side panels for the coroplast that go up and over, so now coro is exposed on the inside, incase mine get any ideas and want to chew on it. I'm getting them Saturday too!

What do you mean about your side panels going up and over? Do you have a pic?

 

[madelineelaine]

Basically the sides overlap and tuck between the grids and coro, so they can't nibble on any plastic. I meant to say that NO coro is exposed, not now :$

 

[Raine59]

Oh I see what you mean, the fleece goes up and over the coroplast, right? Nice looking cage and I like your fleece forest.

 

[trvlpk]

Awesome, thanks for the visual! Here are some pics of the boys!

 

[madelineelaine]

awh they're SO cute and yeah, the fleece goes over so it's protected I just cut seperate strips. If they decide to pull the stips out or off then I'm going to use binder clips to hold it up.

 

[kananaka]

Yipppeeee! I just was doing some measuring and found a spare piece of paneling out in the garage that would fit under a 2X3 c&c! :-D

If you are getting to males you defiantly need a bigger cage then a 2x3. A 2x4 for 2 is minimum.Guinea Pig Cages, Your Cavy At Home

 

[Petlovr]

I'm so glad you researched before you got the pigs. It sounds like you are well prepared, and will provide a loving, happy home for them.