General Cleaning a Tiny Cage And a Question About Their New Cage

[merrycat]

We've had a slight hitch in our plans to move and the boys and I have been caught with no cage and no room for one for the next couple of days. I've made them a temporary shelter out of a large rubbermaid bin, roughly the size of a 2x2. I know it's waaaay small, but it's only for a couple of days, and I'm giving them as much lap time as possible. Unforntunately floor time is not possible right now. The "cage" has grids for air circulation. Will they be okay like this? Should I use a fan or something to prevent amonia building up? And how often do you clean something this tiny? I'm thinking that at least a couple of times a day, right?

I also had a question about the new cage I'm building them once the move is done. I was thinking of having the coroplast on three sides of the cage full height, or close to it so that none of the hay can escape that way, and the front and top of the cage will be open mesh. Will this be too closed in for the boys?

Thanks in advance for the info

 

[KiwiCavyAdorer]

If it were me in your sticky situation I would put ordinary soil as a thick bottom layer in the moving cage. This will handle the urine/ammonia build up for a short time due to the healthy microbial life in the soil. I would actually put carefresh on top of this soil layer as a second good thick layer.

It might pay for you to cut/drill/melt holes in the sides of your temporary cage to be sure that good clean air is down at litter level.

And get the situation to meet adequate size/needs as soon as you possibly can. It's always better to prevent than to cure. Many people have made sure their cages are fully operational weeks before getting piggy. I think this is a great strategy, but when one is caught out honestly then this is the best thing I'd do in the short term. I'd also cut cardboard coral and put piggie in a sectioned off corner while the move and unpacking is happening so that floor time is assured.

 

[pinky]

If it's a couple of days, it shouldn't be an issue. I'd use a thick layer of Carefresh and change it at least daily, depending on how many are in there. Once it's soiled, I'd clean it out and have it lined with newspaper underneath to make it easy to remove the bedding....I would not have high sides in the coroplast cage. I think I had 7" sides in my first one and 6" in this one. You can put small taller pieces of coroplast in the corner to catch bits of hay that might fly out but I wouldn't do it all around the cage because it will obstruct their view out of the cage and restrict air circulation..

 

[bpatters]

I wouldn't put soil in there -- carefresh, wood shavings, or even folded towels will do. And they'll survive a couple of days unless they start fighting.

If you're packed to move, can you just block off an open spot with the boxes and put an old blanket or some towels down? They may nibble the edges of a box or two, but shouldn't be able to do major damage in just a couple of days.

Your cage idea sounds ok, except that they'll kick hay and poo out the open front side. My coroplast walls are only four inches high, and that works well all the way around.