They don't like my 2nd floor?

[Rosina]

Last couple of days I spent so much time on building a 2nd level for my piggy. I thought it would be nice if they have more space up top as bedroom. But they never learned to go up there. =(
Once I put Bubu up on the secound level, it took her more then 2 hour to find the ramp to go down, put they never go up at all. =( Maybe I have a bad design for my cage?
I don't have the photo now, but I will upload some photo once I get home, maybe someone can give me some comant on my cage?

 

[citronsoul]

Maybe they just need some time getting used to it?

How about leaving a trail of some of their favourite veggies up the ramp?

 

[bunnyluv17]

Is the ramp too steep or slick?

 

[Faunn]

I go with citron, put some of their favorite veggies on the ramp, and staple some towels down if its to slick.

 

[Rosina]

I did that already, one time I put some carrots there, and they never go near it, and then I put some hay on the ramp, they just pull out the one that they see on the side and never go on the ramp. Then I thought maybe it is too steep, but then it's only 1/2 a level high, about 7" high to the top of one of their hidey house, and then another ramp about 7" high to the 2nd floor. And I have lined the ramp with thick terry towel. So yeah I don't understand why. May be my piggy are just dump. =(

 

[Rosina]

And the thing is if I put them up there, they go down perfectly fine, just that they won't go up on their own

 

[critterlover]

I had a similar problem when I built a 'loft' in my cage. My piggy wouldn't go up there so I put him up there and then he spent 1/2 day up there and wouldn't come down. So I started putting all his veggies up there. Several times a day I put kale and baby carrots and parsley up there and he hears the goodies landing and goes crazy. That's the only place I put them. In the beginning, I would put a trail of kale up the ramp until he got the idea. Sometimes all he has to hear is the crinkle of plastic bags and he is up the ramp and squeaking with anticipation! I also put a nice warm blanket up there so he is comfortable while he eats.

I think if you put their favorite food on the 2nd level and nowhere else, they will quickly figure it out. If you put their favorite foods on the main level they might have no motivation to go upstairs so being consistent is the key. Hope that helps.

 

[kebboli]

Mine did that for awhile and my kids helped them and kinda kept showing them how to go up and down then one day they finally did it themselves. It also helped alot when i put sides on my ramps, i think they felt safer because they acted scared before.

 

[Piglet]

When I built mine, I put fresh hay up there and some veggies. Within a minute they were running up the ramp. Just give it some time

 

[Rosina]

O MY, =) I am soooooooo happy today, Bubu and Abu finally find their way up to the 2 level. It took them 3 days but o well. I have moved all the veggies and hay upstairs. I was just worrying that if they can't find it they would be really hurgy and I would be really mean to not give them anything thing to eat downstairs. But this morning I got up, and I see Abu is upstair eating. =) I got some phone here to share with you all too. =) Thank you thank you for all your advice. =)

 

[mncavylover]

That's great! I'm glad it all worked out. It just takes time.