Advice needed!

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ForrestTheTexel

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi, I’m hoping some of you wise people can advice me on my piggy, Forrest’s set up. A bit of back story... He lives alone as I introduced him to another male as a baby but the other was bullying him, I’m not sure if he was being hurt or hurting himself through stress but he developed lots of sore, balding patches on his skin so I had to separate them. They were originally indoors but when I had to separate I didn’t have the space so I moved them into my shed in a double hutch as big as I could fit in. Anyway, sadly the other piggy died this winter of a respiratory infection so I decided to move Forrest inside ‘temporarily’ but then decided to keep him in and build him a lovely new set up! I had an Ikea Kallax that I didn’t need anymore so I had the bright idea to turn this into Forrest’s new house! After a lot of trial and error and changing things around, I now have this set up (see photos) but he won’t use the ramps. I’m not sure if they’re too steep or not grippy enough - I’ve just added the wooden strips to the wide ramp to see if that helps. Could anyone offer any words of wisdom, ideas or tell me if I should scrap this and just get him a large cage or c&c set up! Thank you! Sorry for such a long post 🙈 111217111218111219111220
 
That's a tremendous setup!
As for the ramp, he should use it in his own time
Did you ever take him to the vet in case the bald patches were a fungal infection, or ringworm?
Are they still there?
If yes, do they appear itchy, dry or do they have little scabs?
Sorry for asking so many questions!
 
Sophie B said:
That's a tremendous setup!
As for the ramp, he should use it in his own time
Did you ever take him to the vet in case the bald patches were a fungal infection, or ringworm?
Are they still there?
If yes, do they appear itchy, dry or do they have little scabs?
Sorry for asking so many questions!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I’m just not sure it’s the best set up for him, especially after having a read through some of the posts on here 😔 I’m trying to think if I could add a base to the bottom bit so it’s a full length area rather than being separated into two by using the trays. I just want to keep it as easy to clean as possible. His last indoor cage I jotted our with Lino but he weed everywhere and the wee seeped under the Lino even though I’d sealed it all! Trays are just so easy! I also like the ramp I’ve made as it doubles up as a hiding place underneath it - I've put fleece strips on either side. Just feel so deflated as it was an amazing plan in my head and I’m pleased with it but at the end of the day it needs to be what’s best for him.
His skin improved as soon as I separated them! He doesn’t have any skin issues but appreciate your concern 😊
 
It is a really brilliant cage but if you feel you need to change it it would probably be for the best.
A C&C would be a great choice as they’re commonly used so you would know you’re getting a good cage, and you get to choose how big you want it
If you are going to change it do you think it’s would be worth looking through Google for some ideas, obviously one that is big enough and a single level
Wish you luck!
 
Most of the piggies I’ve had have steadfastly refused to use any ramps. I’ve only been able to persuade 2 to use a very shallow ramp with sides and the others have just refused. So I prefer a much larger single storey area. Your cage does seem to have a lot of ramps. If he’s fearful of ramps then a single level would be better if you can find the room.
 
Thank you for your replies! He did used to have a ramp in an old cage but it would have been less steep. Looks like I need to put my thinking cap back on (again!). I’ll be honest I’m not keen on the c&c cages but I won’t rule it out 😊
 
Looks like a good set up idea!

To get my girls to use there new ramp I put a tunnel (one made from material) temporarily on the ramp which encouraged them..as as we know piggies love dark tight spaces!
I also used a box on one ramp :)

Perhaps you could cut a hole in between the trays and create a little tunnel with drain pipe which you can get cheaply from hardware stores :D
 
Hannah_xx said:
Looks like a good set up idea!

To get my girls to use there new ramp I put a tunnel (one made from material) temporarily on the ramp which encouraged them..as as we know piggies love dark tight spaces!
I also used a box on one ramp :)

Perhaps you could cut a hole in between the trays and create a little tunnel with drain pipe which you can get cheaply from hardware stores :D
Click to expand...

Thanks, I have already done that today! He’s was exploring the tunnel straight away and seems much happier. It’s not the space I wanted him to have but it’s the best I can do for now!
 
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