Finding The Right Cage - Help Please

[elambo]

Hi everyone. I am brand new to the forum and I am happy to be here with all of you. I love this website and forum, it is so informative! I have not yet purchased my guinea pig and I am trying to set things up for him/her first. I prefer to make my own cage using the modular shelving that is most popular and I want to do a 2 x 3 cage size. However I do not want to use Corofast as it does not seem as durable or sturdy to me. I much prefer to use a hard plastic bin/tray for the base of the cage, one that is already pre-made…(like Rubbermaid, etc). However, I checked all over the Internet and have been to all the major stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, etc) and I cannot find any plastic or even rubber bins that are big enough to fit a 2 x 3 cage size. The ones that are big enough are much much too deep for the little piggy. I am trying to find a bin/tray that is about 42”L x 28”W x between 4-6” Deep. The closest one I have found is a commercial cage (I know I know, commercial cage) at a size of 44” x 20” (it is the Morchioro Tommy 120 Cage at 6.1 square feet of interior room). Does anyone know anywhere either on the Internet or here in the Southern California area where I can find any plastic bins that will fit a 2x3 cage and work for the piggy? Or if I have to get the commercial cage mentioned, then is it easy to modify and put in a second level and ramp? Any and all help, advice, comments and tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Katie]

Coroplast is very sturdy, otherwise we wouldn't use or even recommend it. I've had my cage for 4 years now, with the same coroplast. It still looks brand new. Please done use the rubbermaid bins, they don't provide as much space. If you could find a 2x3 the inner dimensions are actually smaller then that of a 2x3 base made from coroplast.

 

[elambo]

Hi and thanks for the response. Is the Coroplast bin itself sturdy enough to pick up without it bending or collapsing as you carry it say to the trash bin to dump the old bedding? From the looks of some photos on the forum here, the Coroplast seems to be too flexible to do that whereas Rubbermaid stuff will handle that better. FYI, the measurements I am looking for with any product are interior livable dimensions only, not the exterior dimensions. So the dimensions I stated are ones for the interior that I am seeking, not the exterior. Anyone else have any ideas, comments, advice? Thank you to everyone!

 

[Katie]

I carry my 2x3 coroplast box to the trash can just fine, however it takes 2 people to move the 2x4 and 2x5. Unless you use a heavy, pelleted bedding, it won't bend. If you are worried about it bending, you can always use a dust pan to scoop the bedding out.

 

[Piglet]

Coroplast is very very durable and study, and not flexible at all. I don't think you'll find a shallow tub thats big enough for a 2x3. Are you purchasing your guinea pig (or shall I say pigs) from a petstore?

 

[elambo]

Hi, thanks for the responses thus far. No I am not getting my piggy from the petstore....I am looking for local owners or breeders. Can you hose down the Coroplast with water or will it abosorb any water in its crevices? Thanks for the responses!!!

 

[Katie]

Where are you located?
Yes, you can hose down coroplast, although you really won't have too. All you need to do is spray it down with vinegar and wash/wipe it off.

 

[elambo]

I am located in Los Angeles County. Thanks for all your help! If anyone knows any breeders, owners or anywhere reputable to get my first cavy locally, that is helpful. I am interested in the following breeds: Abby, Abby Satin, Texel, Teddy and Teddy Satin. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Katie]

Please adopt! There are many homeless cavies in your area.

Orange County Cavy Haven

L.A. County Animal Care Control: Agoura

(broken link removed)

Bunny Bunch S.P.C.R.

Irvine Animal Care Center

www.petfinder.com

 

[cornhill]

You said you were new to this site. If you would just believe the people on this site, as they know what they are talking about, not only from experience, but from other people who know. No one on here is going to lead you in the wrong direction.

Corplast will not tear, break or come apart. You can only cut it. So trust the people here. You will learn a lot.
And do not obtain pigs from a breeder.
Good luck.

 

[Piglet]

Please adopt and don't buy from a breeder. Save a pigs life

 

[CCcages]

I've always cleaned our cages this way: Use a dust pan and a whisk broom. Remove the old bedding by scooping it out with the dust pan, and place in bags to throw away. Spray with 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water in a spray bottle and wipe clean. Replace bedding. No need to lift the entire thing at all.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

I'm in LA. The shelters are full of fancy piggies.

OC Cavy Haven has over 30.

I have 5 for adoption, all rescued from a high kill shelter. Some of them are abbys. If you are interested, let me know. The babies are weaned after the 9th. The Momma was left at a high kill shelter along with two other boars. I have a beautiful Silkie mix for adoption too. I even found a Peruvian in a shelter. He's mine though.

(broken link removed) has some too. Please adopt.

Go to www.cavyhaven.org. You can order a cage from them too. They have the shelter pigs on their site. There are two gorgeous silkie sisters at Santa Monica Shelter and fancy looking ones at the Ventura Shelter including a white silkie and a teddy. Please adopt!!! The shelter regularly euthanize guinea pigs.

OCCH has a list of private surrenders too, people needing to re home.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

P.S. There is a Holiday Pignic benefiting Cavy Haven. You should come, buy supplies and look at all our gorgeous piggies. There's a thread in another forum.