C&C New Cage Plans!! Need Opinions & Advice

[callie_13]

Hey Everyone!! So, it turns out I have more room for a cage then I had orignially thought. I brainstormed for a while, and I think what I'm going to do it have two 2x3 cages attatched to make an L-shape, with a 1x2 upper level (which will be used as a kitchen) and also a 1-grid high cage stand, so my cats wont bother them. I'm pretty sure this is as large as I can go with the space I have

I also have a couple questions,so if anyone could answer them for me that would be great!
Could I construct this cage using only zip ties and not connectors? with my experience I have found that connectors are pretty difficult to work with and I would rather not use them if I don't have to.

Also, would it be easier to buy two 2 x 3 coroplast bases or to buy a big sheet of it? I'm not sure how I would connect the coroplast either way, so if anyone has any advice please tell me!

So that's basically it, I am totally new to L-shaped cages and I have never had one before, if anyone has any advice regarding L-shaped cages please let me know!I am willing to hear anything! Thanks!!

I'm going to attach some drawings I did of what the cage would look like so as to help clarify things a bit. I'm not really sure how to attach pictures so they might not show up but hopefully they will

 

[callie_13]

 

[Beatrix187]

I think you could get away with only zip ties, but only on the actual cage, I think it would be to weak with the stand.
And I think it is all on personal preference for how to cut the L shape. I would probably get two separate pieces of coroplast. And the way I would connect the two it is to cut and score the coroplast, but only close up one end on each of the 2x3s. Then I would connect the not closed ends together. I hope that makes sense :3

 

[jaycriae]

You could try with only zip ties, but I'd personally be afraid that the piggies would get to them, with so many zip ties to keep track of, plus things might bend a bit. I'd still buy connectors in case it doesn't work out so well.

(Though I agree that connectors can be frustrating little things, augh.)

Looks like a cool cage design! I've never been able to handle multiple levels but I've always kind of wanted to try.

 

[pinky]

8 inch, 75 lb strength zip ties are extremely strong and will hold a large cage together and support it. I made all of these cages with zip ties. The top cage had some connectors. I added an I-beam under the top level for extra support. I prefer zip ties over connectors that can come loose or crack.

 

[jaycriae]

Wow, impressive! I didn't realize they made zipties that intense, I've only ever seen the little ones. Are those for sale on this site or do you get them at a hardware store or something?

 

[pinky]

Wow, impressive! I didn't realize they made zipties that intense, I've only ever seen the little ones. Are those for sale on this site or do you get them at a hardware store or something?

I bought them at Menard's but you can buy them at most hardware stores. They cost about $2.99 for 100. The brand I buy is GB Gardner Bender but other brands should be fine. They make them even bigger than 8" but 8" is strong enough to build a sturdy cage. I wouldn't use the small ones because they won't hold the cage together.

 

[CavyChrissy]

Wow, that looks like a cool plan! For your kitchen, 1x2 might be a little too small. I tried that in my cage (I actually just walled off one end of my 2x6 to make a 1x2 kitchen and a 2x5 main area). The kitchen was crowded - if they were both in there, they couldn't really turn around and would get snippy with each other (admittedly, they are like two cranky old ladies to each other). I then moved my divider wall further out to make the kitchen about 1.5 x 2 and that seemed to be enough. Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

 

[callie_13]

You could try with only zip ties, but I'd personally be afraid that the piggies would get to them, with so many zip ties to keep track of, plus things might bend a bit. I'd still buy connectors in case it doesn't work out so well.

(Though I agree that connectors can be frustrating little things, augh.)

Looks like a cool cage design! I've never been able to handle multiple levels but I've always kind of wanted to try.

I have a bunch of spare connectors from previous cages, so I think I'm all set in that area I used to have a 2 level cage, the cleaning was pretty hard, but I'm making sure to design this one so it's much easier!

I think you could get away with only zip ties, but only on the actual cage, I think it would be to weak with the stand.
And I think it is all on personal preference for how to cut the L shape. I would probably get two separate pieces of coroplast. And the way I would connect the two it is to cut and score the coroplast, but only close up one end on each of the 2x3s. Then I would connect the not closed ends together. I hope that makes sense :3

Thanks! This will be my first time cutting/scoring coroplast instead of buying the actual base, I'm hoping it will save me some money!

8 inch, 75 lb strength zip ties are extremely strong and will hold a large cage together and support it. I made all of these cages with zip ties. The top cage had some connectors. I added an I-beam under the top level for extra support. I prefer zip ties over connectors that can come loose or crack.

Wow, those look awesome! Thanks for the advice on the zip ties, I will definitely have to look for those. In the past when I had a top level, the connectors would always come loose and I was constantly having to fix it. I'm excited to try a cage with just zip ties!

Wow, that looks like a cool plan! For your kitchen, 1x2 might be a little too small. I tried that in my cage (I actually just walled off one end of my 2x6 to make a 1x2 kitchen and a 2x5 main area). The kitchen was crowded - if they were both in there, they couldn't really turn around and would get snippy with each other (admittedly, they are like two cranky old ladies to each other). I then moved my divider wall further out to make the kitchen about 1.5 x 2 and that seemed to be enough. Good luck! Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Yeah, you might be right. They've had a 2x2 kitchen before, so they might get annoyed with a 1x2, haha! I'll have to see how it goes