C&C CAGE

[porkchop]

C&C CAGE

I am thinking of getting two piggies in the near future (a month or so) and i was wondering if i should make a 2x4 grid c&c cage and make an upper deck=32 grids or 24 without the botom (if i find a good table) or a 3x4 divided so that i can introduce two pigs which is 26 grids 14 without bottom... and later on take it off or make a 2x5 for two piggies to run and maybe get a third? i need suggestions!

 

[michaelince]

Re: C&C CAGE

The best solution would be to get a bonded pair of Guinea Pigs - that way you could go straight for the cage set up that suits your space.
If you do get your piggies seperately follow the introduction advice on sites like Cavy Spirit or Guinea Lynx.
You could always set the cage up temporarily in which ever layout suits your GPs - and once they are bonded build the real GP palace.

When you speak about a 2x4 with a 'bottom' I'm assuming you plan to raise it off the ground with grids. I know lots of people do this, but I'm not sure that 14" off the ground is high enough to be convenient - you'll still be doing a lot of bending over. Building a bottom takes lots more grids (as you know) - you could save money, make the cage bigger or add interesting new levels...

As the only place for our C&C cage was one end of our computer / spare room I built an MDF bench across one end of the room - it only cost about £20 with paint and fixings - and is a really convenient height. We put some curtain across underneath and hide all the GP gear behind it.
It was big enough to bild a 2*6 cage on.

 

[ginatrue]

What is an MDF bench please?

And is it hard to build? Is it built-in or movable? Thanks! G.

 

[michaelince]

Re: What is an MDF bench please?

Sorry Gina - I guess I was a bit vague.

In the UK MDF stands for Medium Density Fibreboard - It comes in varying size and thickness sheets and is quite cheap and easy to cut and paint.

We were re-modelling the room for an extra computer & to put the GPs in - I actually built a whole fitted unit with desks, drawers, shelves etc.

The part of the new desks the C&C cage is on is a 30" x 90" piece of MDF fixed right across one end of the computer room using battens on the walls... (with a support in the middle to stop it sagging and some shelves built underneath). I store all the GP junk, rubbish bin, hay, bedding, travel cages etc. underneath and have some left over material from making the room curtains across to cover all the mess...

The materials for the whole thing came to just over £40 so I guessed half for the cost of the GP part..

It wasn't difficult to build - but then I have the power tools etc.. etc...

 

[secutores]

Re: What is an MDF bench please?

Interesting. Here in the US, MDF is the same thing only spelled "fiber." I looked into using mdf for my cage, but didnt because its highly toxic, even after several years it still emits carcinogenic fumes. OSB - Oriented Strand Board is for use in kitchens and stuff, so its less toxic. Of course everything is toxic in the right exposure levels, even water, so you dont want your cavy eating it.

Also, OSB is cheaper here, and stronger... MDF tends to tear like cardboard when attached by the endgrain. The main purpose of MDF is acoustic isolation. That is why everyone uses it for speaker enclosures, it doesnt vibrate much at all. MDF is also extremely smoothe so requires less effort to paint nicely.

 

[2steps]

Re:

A face mask should be worn when cutting mdf as the dust is very irritating to the lungs. Ideally mdf should also be cut outside.

 

[michaelince]

Re: What is an MDF bench please?

Scarey - I knew that wood dust was carcinogenic - (you should always wear a mask and work in well ventilated areas).
I hadn't seen that Formaldehyde gas from the glue used in MDF was carcinogenic. (In the UK it's only classed as a 'probable carcinogen'). I'd just assumed that if it was sold it was safe - silly me!

 

[secutores]

carcinogen?

I think it says on the label, "This is known to be a carcinogen to the state of california" or something like that. Luckily I'm in washington so I'm safe. But seriously folks...
MDF always puts off toxic fumes so I wouldnt suggest using it, or your cavies might have shortened life spans. Why risk it?.
OSB is only toxic while cutting it.
So says "Understanding Wood" by R. Bruce Hoadley C. 1980, The Taunton Press, Inc.