Cage Building Tips Needed: Help with Lid?

[C&K]

Ok, the great news is, I got DH to agree to the larger cage *YAY!* and we got our first pack of grids today. Again, *YAY!*

They are a Rubbermaid brand, only thing is, I don't seem to have enough connectors. I am using a type of tye I found in some car kit that DH had, so I am only missing 4 connectors, but have used a tye instead. Seems to be working.

Best part is, it is a 2x4 cage! I found the room to make it work! We are only building one level this week, but plan to add every two weeks to help absorb the cost. I think the next step will be coroplast, next will be storage room underneath, then we will look at building another story or loft.

Only problem is, we have a cat, and I need to figure out a way to close in the top, but still leave it accessable for getting the pigs out. Any advice or suggestions? Anyone have pictures of this sort of thing? I have a hard time just surfing the gallaries with dialup, so if I could be pointed in the right direction, I would much appreciate it!

Thank you;

Amanda

 

[Sabriel]

Many people use wire shelving. The type you mount at the top of closets. I use grids right now, but the lid sags alot with my 3X6 even with a divider.

You can get wire shelves at Home Depot and Rona. You can also probably get them at Wal-Mart, Canadian Tire and Home Hardware, but you can most likely get them cut in store at Home Depot and Rona. I live in an apartment and own no tools so that is very important.

 

[C&K]

thanks Sabriel, I did see a one photo like this when I went to the Cavy Cages site again after posting... I think I am going to consider it, but now that my 1 1/2 year old has just come home, I have realized I have an even bigger problem... I need to baby proof it because he is climbing in to become one with the guinea pig! (I had Barbie in the cage).

*sigh* Now I am not sure what I am going to do with him, I don't really have room for a table where it is... Maybe if I build it up he will not be able to get in... Can't knock him, he is just very excited!

 

[Sabriel]

I would go with a shelving lid then. A grid one is very unstable. But it will do for me untill I get more funds.

 

[C&K]

I think I am going to do just that Sabriel... I am planning on making a second story loft, I think I am going to build the loft 4 grids long x only one deep, along the back, and then I can put a shelving unit along the top of the bottom story, and along the top of the top story so I have good access to both. Only I am going to have to raise the cage off the ground, because my son and maybe my daughter are going to get the brainiac idea that it is a stair case! I wanted to raise it with storage compartments underneath, but I am reconsidering a table. I have a table that would fit in the basement, but it is our downstairs computer table. *sigh*. I am not sure I would have taken pigs on, or at least convinced DH to go along with it if we knew it was going to be this much work.

That said, it is a lot of fun, and we all really enjoy them, so I don't regret it, I just think I would have gotten scared if I knew everything we where going to be facing.

I have my eyes on a third pig though, afterall, if you have 2 already, how much work can one more of the same sex be?

(broken link removed)=

 

[C&K]

The only other type of lid I was thinking about was some sort of plastic sheeting? I am not using wood chips anymore and the grid sides will vent, has anyone done this? Also what about just using Coroplast as a lid? I am not too familiar with the material yet, would that work?

Also, does anyone know about some sort of box that is used as a storage bin that apparently was sold at Home Depot that can be used instead of Coroplast? I read about it on the materials sheet, it was said it cost $13.00, fit a 2x4 grid cage perfectly, its intended purpose was to slide under a bed? Are they still available?

 

[suzilovespiggie]

I use the shelving on both my boys and my girls cages. I have cats and dogs so I needed the tops covered. The shelving works very well. Cats or dogs have not gotten in and the pigs feel very secure.

 

[Percy's Mom]

Also what about just using Coroplast as a lid? I am not too familiar with the material yet, would that work?

Hmmm...get another sheet of coro, score and fold it into a slightly larger tray that will fit over/around the top of the walls of the cage? That could work. Like you said, there is a ton of ventilation through the grids. It's still pretty light though, so you might want to punch holes in the sides and possibly cable-tie it in a couple places to the cage, so cat/dog/kid (whatever) can't get it off.

 

[dagwellismypigy]

https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=1936 Here is a cage with a coroplast door.

 

[cavy-cool-crazy]

If the cage is on the ground then you could do swing open doors on the front - that way you don't need to pick the pigs up to give them floor time.
https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=2978&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

If you still wanted a lid on the top, would this be an idea: https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=2244&password=&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

If you want to know how I made both styles, PM me and I'll let you know how it worked out.

 

[C&K]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

I am working a few things out in my head, but it is nice to see pictures as a referance...

Happy Thanksgiving

 

[Sabriel]

The bigger it gets the floppier a grid lid gets. Grid lids work great for 2X4s and 3X3s but I would not reccomend one for a 3X6 or bigger.

I like the whole lid to open so I can sit in my cage (one of the reasons I made it so big) Maybe that's why it's so floppy.

I cringe when my cat walks across my lid.