C&C Stacked cage expansion, need help.

[Beth Pearson]

I need some more space in our house and am thinking stacked cages will work wonders. With that being said, I've searched the cage photo page and didn't find what I needed, so I'm turning to y'all to help me out. I am looking for help, a picture or a tutorial for stacked cage with these specifications; 2x5 stand, 2x5 first level, two 2x4 second/third levels and MUST have a lid on the top. I need it to be easily accessible; like full open front or something.. I know what I want, just not sure how to go about it :/ Also, how many grids am I going to need for all of this? I have a crap ton (I bought 4 or 5 boxes from Kmart; majority is used for 2x6 cage/stand and 3x3 cage/stand) If I am forgetting something, please feel free to let me know. As soon as I get two more sheets of coro, this will be in the works! Thanks.

 

[lunarminx]

How many in each level? How many in the 2x5 and each 2x4?

 

[Beth Pearson]

There will be 3 in the 2x5 and 2 in each 2x4. Why?

 

[Princess_Piggie]

For a double level you definitely need zip ties on all of the connecting sections to increase stability.

I think a good person to assist further with cage building and security etc would be [MENTION=28226]Traysea[/MENTION], she's like a gold mine of C&C knowledge

 

[lunarminx]

I built my stacked with a double base and each level on top of that. The first level flips up all the way across and the top level flips down. If I was you, I would buy the wonder bars from the store to use if you plan to stick with the 2 grids across. Mine are 3x3's and I use pellets so with the weight, I had to bend and zip tie some grids to use as support. I am assuming you will be using fleece so the wonder bars will work. Also on the rear/side of the cages, I have a one grid access, which is the center grid. I also strung mini led white lights for the first level so they have more light. It may be harder to get the pigs in the 3x3 but it gives them more room then the 2x4 and I swear they like it better being boys. The kitchen/hay box is right at the full opening front too, which makes it easy to take the dirty boxes in and out.

 

[Beth Pearson]

Thanks [MENTION=29900]Princess_Piggie[/MENTION], I use zip ties with connectors so it is sturdier. But someone (actually it was [MENTION=27623]Melissa123[/MENTION]) said that using connectors would be a bad idea when doing stacked cages. [MENTION=27327]lunarminx[/MENTION], can you post pictures of your cage? I am clueless as to what a wonder bar is.. I have dowels that I can use (hubs makes them for decking at his work so we have some that are 3 grids long and a few that are 4 grids long, none are 5 grid though..will that be a problem? All of my pigs are female and are currently separated; 3 in a 3x3 *who I will NOT be separating* and four are in a 2x6 *will be separating into pairs* If space wasn't needed, I would not be changing things up, they're all bonded very well and it's killing me having to separate I'd do two stacked 2x5 if I knew I could get away with it.

 

[agirlwithink]

Could you do the 2x5 and then a 2x4 with a 2x4 loft for the other 4 so you can keep them together? Instead of separate 2x4s?

 

[lissie]

Why not do 4 levels of 2x5? That should be much easier to do the support.



Door folds down, like this.


Use 2x2 lumber for support. In the above cages, they wrapped fleece around the wood to make them match the cage decor.

You can get the wood from Lowes. They're 1 3/8 x 1 3/8 inches. They come in different lengths, 4', 8', 12'. They should be able to cut to the length you need.
I just bought some 8 ft from Lowes today. They're about $5 each.

 

[lissie]

Another idea for door. This one uses closet shelving to close off the top, and as support for the level.

 

[Beth Pearson]

Another idea for door. This one uses closet shelving to close off the top, and as support for the level.

This just opened up a whole new idea that may not require remodeling!! Going to measure our dresser now!! lol

 

[Beth Pearson]

Well that idea went out the window :/ Dresser wasn't wide or long enough. Boo! Grids are my only option since the only extra money I'll be getting will be going toward new coro. But I think the 4 2x5 stacked might work. Just hoping it doesn't look crazy since that'll be the first thing people sees when they walk in our front door lol I like how the cage opens like a book case, what is the flat thing that is connecting the two closet shelves?? I really do like that idea for a cage. Do you think I could make it like that but for each individual cage instead; one door for the 2x5 and one door for the two 2x5 other cage?!

 

[lissie]

Well that idea went out the window :/ Dresser wasn't wide or long enough.

Can you put plywood on top of it to make it wider and longer?

What is the flat thing that is connecting the two closet shelves??

Don't know. Found these pics in the gallery. Looks like some kind of wood slats.

Do you think I could make it like that but for each individual cage instead; one door for the 2x5 and one door for the two 2x5 other cage?!

Sure. You can hinge it anyway you want it.

 

[lunarminx]

The wonder bars are sold in the store, they work great for support.
http://www.guineapigcagesstore.com/candc-wonder-bars

The wood works well too from what the pictures show, it would be cheaper going that route.

On my cage, the first level flips up and can hook to the lid and the second level flips down.

 

[Beth Pearson]

So I wanted to update with my new stacked cage 2x5 triple stacked with stand. Top level has my trio; Rosalie, Brownie and Cupcake. Middle level has my special needs girl Rapunzel and youngest skinny Mocha. And the bottom level has my two girls Roxie the werewolf and Pebbles the Abby. They've been in their new houses for a week now and not only do they enjoy it, but I love that all of my girl are in one room now...as well as being able to have it cleaned in a matter of minutes! Awesome.

 

[Traysea]

It looks absolutely wonderful. Is the stand strong enough to hold up all three cages?

 

[Beth Pearson]

[MENTION=28226]Traysea[/MENTION], there are two 2x2 lumbers supporting each the stand, first and second levels and PVC is supporting the third/top level. Tons of support.

 

[Traysea]

nice job then, cant see any of them!

 

[Beth Pearson]

here is the right side, every board has an inch overhang on each side.

 

[lunarminx]

Did you have to hammer them in? I have been using bent grids as support and went to get the wood but it doesn't want to go through.

 

[Beth Pearson]

[MENTION=27327]lunarminx[/MENTION], my husband and brother pushed them through. It was hell for sue and took the longest but they are super snug!! Lol