Cage Questions

[laura220]

I know this must be a waste of a thread but I lost my other one where I was posting questions. Yes, I have been searching for it but couldn't find it.

So I am absoulutely confused with all the cage dimensions and sizes. No, I'm not very smart or good at math. I thought that a 2X3 cage was 6sqf but then I read that it's not. Can someone explain the whole measurement thing, please? How much would a 3x3 be minus one square? How much would it be with the square?

What would be the average cage size for two sows? Meaning your not pampering them with a huge condo or neglecting them with a pet store sized cage.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

41" x 27" for a 2 x 3 grid cage - 7.5 sq. ft.
56" x 27" for a 2 x 4 grid cage - 10.5 sq. ft
71" x 27" for a 2 x 5 grid cage - 13 sq. ft
84" x 27" for a 2 x 6 grid cage - ? squ ft.

Those are the exact dimmentions taken from the 'how to' page. A great size for two sows would be a 2x4.​

 

[laura220]

Thanx, that helped some!

 

[stipma]

The grids are 14" and not 12". I think that's where a lot of the confusion comes in.

 

[mncavylover]

A 3x3 would be:
(3x14")(3x14")
=1764 sq "
Divide by 144 sq " (1 sq ft)
=12.25 sq ft

Take off one grid space and it's:
1764 sq "-(14x14)
=1568 sq "
Divide by 144 sq "
=10.888... sq ft

Hope that helped some!

 

[laura220]

When you make a second level do some people just cut out some wire in the grids to make a hole for the ramp to come through. Or how does it work?

 

[pennick]

No cutting needed but to hard for me to explain. One of the openings is left open where the ramp would be placed. Look at pics, maybe that would be helpful.

 

[guineagurl]

I cut a hole in mine so that the rest of the grid was intact. It can be done with easily with tin snips and the bit you cut out can be used to nmake the barrier so they don't fall in from the other side.

 

[kristin25]

About the cage dimensions: I noticed a couple of inches were added to my dimensions because the connectors leave about a half inch space between each pannel. When I measured the area after connectiong everything, my 2x4 cage ended up being about 10.88 square feet. I don't know if you need to get that specific, but I thought I would mention it.

 

[laura220]

I think I have the space for a 2x4 or 2x5 and I'd put a second level on though I don't kow what size it would be yet. Would this be okay for 2 piggies? Is the long narrowey shape okay or should it be more square, maybe it doesn't matter?

I'm also thinking of elevating it so I can have storage space underneath.

 

[pennick]

A 2x4 or 2x5 is great. Long is fine. Whatever works for you. Your 2 piggies will be most happy in that size cage.

 

[laura220]

About feeding.. So I leave an unlimited amount of hay in the cage then every morning should I put 1 or 2 cups of fresh plain pellets for two pigs? How much? What do I do with the uneaten pellets at the end of the day? The veggies.. In the morning should I put 2 cups, a cup for each pig? Or split that and only put a cup of veggies in their cage in the morning and in the afternoon or evening I should put the second cup?

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I have a bowl that holds about a cup and a half- for five pigs - I fill it up at night and most of it is gone. If there is a lot left you don't have to empty it out every day- but I totally wash mine when it is mostly empty. I can't afford to waste pellets.

I pretty much consider that my pigs get unlimited pellets- but if they are fatter 1/8 to 1/3 of a cup is good.

 

[laura220]

Oh and can piggies eat banana, apple, and orange peels?

 

[Piglet]

I don't think they can eat orange peel...Yes they can eat apples, but because of their acidity they can cause mouth sores. So, only feed a little 2 or 3 times a week. Pigs can bananas and their skins. Be sure to wash the skin, BEFORE you open the banana though! Remember, should only be fed in moderation

 

[bromers]

i have never fed bromley a banana normally i fed him apple, grape, oranges and cucumbers and thats only because i know that bunny can eat them two. i never evan knew about the apples things. piglet every single time i come on here you teach me something new.

 

[Piglet]

I'm here to help =) Is that all you feed bromers though?

 

[bromers]

NO ok i know some people on here think im not a good owner but come on give me some credit. he has hay and pellets to. oh and cheese... ok that was a joke

 

[laura220]

Ok so I've planned out a 2x5 cage with a 2x2 second level and a 1x2 third level. How much is that in square feet? How many pigs could live in there comfortably? I really want to use a fleece/cotton batting combo so would it be alright with that size cage?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

The upper levels do not count towards the square footage of the cage. Also remember that a ramp on the main level will take a bit of square footage off too. A 2x5 can comfortably house 3 guinea pigs, and I would recommend not putting more than three boars in a 2x5 although you could manage 4 sows in that same space. The reason only 3 boars is because boars are more territorial than sows and need more space. The 2x5 main level is 13 sq. ft. You can use fleece with any size cage.

Also on the pellets, 2 pigs should get no more than 1/2 cup a day of pellets between them. If they are adults, then it would be about 1/4 cup. 1 to 2 cups of pellets per day is way too much. For veggies, you can choose to give them veggies once a day, twice a day or even divide it into three or four feedings. That would be your personal choice as long as they get 1 cup veggies each every day and have a good variety of veggies.