Building Cage - Some Questions =)

[MistressAshley]

Alright, right now I have a boar and a sow. My Sow is pregnant and I plan on keeping two babies, one male and one female, if not one more female. So I'm planning on building a cage for them.

1. I'm thinking about building the females cage and putting it on like a table and putting the males cage underneath the table or vica versa, to save room because I don't have alot. Now, what size cages should I build. I was thinking maybe 2x4 maybe, for both or something along those lines. Maybe you guys can help me with a size. Also, I plan on making the females cage 2 levels. Especially since my sow is gonna have babies.

2. What kind of bedding should I use? Whats easiest to keep clean. Right now I use some pine bedding, and I've found this to be easy to clean and the pigs seem to like it to make beds in. Just wondering if there was something easier.

3. I'm afraid they'll chew on the coroplast. Because they chew on the cardboard I've put around the cages I have now to keep them from kicking the pine all over the place. Is there a way to like, baby proof it? Maybe by plastic protectors of some sort?

4. I plan on making the females cage an open 2 level with a ramp. Now, should I go into building the ramp myself, and if I do, what do I use? Or should I just buy one?

I think thats all the question's I have for now. I'm planning on going out tommorow to buy the things I need. =)

Thanks for any help. ^_^

 

[Poohbear]

ok,
First of all do not breed!

1. If there is a boy in the litter I sugest you make a 2x5 cage for the baby and the dad becuase males tend to need more space. For 2 females I suggest making a 2x4.
2.I would sugest using fleece. It saves time cleaning out the cage and saves money.
3.You should probally just make the ramp yourself.Look in the photography for some examples. I hope that helps.

Queeni./

 

[dagwellismypigy]

YOu have no idea what sex pigs you will get. If you get all females you should get the dad neutered so you don't have to take in more guinea pigs.
fleece is very easy
You can us two bent grids cable tied together than cable tied to the top

 

[Ly&Pigs]

She was already informed about the boar/sow situation in another thread and has them separated.

I would suggest a 2x4 or 2x5 double gridded cage for mom and babies (once the babies are weaned you can take the extra grids off) and a 2x5 for 2 boars. If your using pine please make sure it is kiln-dried pine and not regular pine as regular pine is known to cause respiratory problems in cavies. Some people use aspen shavings and like those, some use carefresh or carefresh with aspen or yesterdays news on top. Some use fleece.

To keep piggies from chewing coroplast get some of those plastic spine binders that you would put on reports or something. They will fit right over the edges of the coroplast easily. For a ramp there are many ways to build them. Looking in the galleries will help inspire you for ideas.

 

[mncavylover]

For bedding, I would suggest fleece, aspen, or carefresh/paper bedding--pine has harmful phenols that can cause URIs (upeer respiratory infections).

I suggest building a larger (2x5 or greater) cage for the female, as she'll soon have babies, and perhaps a 2x4 for the male. If there are mostly males, then of course you can increase the cage size of that cage, and vice versa. Make sure to baby-proof (double gridding!) Good luck!