C And C Cages - Some Questions From A Newbie!

[Ginpig]

Hello – deliberating over the best type of housing for us. I had originally planned on the pigs being outside most of the time but I think realistically we’ll enjoy them being nearer us, not to mention being in the warm and dry. So whilst we may use an outside hutch and run in the summer I’m thinking about using a C and C cage indoors. I have a few questions first though…


We don’t have a huge amount of space, would a 2x3 cage be big enough for 2 pigs? We would struggle to accommodate anything larger inside but don’t want them to be too cramped. Should we have a loft area or would it better just to have open space without the ramp in the way?


Secondly, as we will occasionally take the pigs with us when we visit the in laws, I need a portable cage solution. Just wondering if the C and C cages are easy to take apart and rebuild? This would allow us to just take a few panels with us to make a temporary cage for those weekends when we’re away. If it’s a massive faff then I probably wouldn’t bother and will have a think about other temporary solutions…


Thirdly, does anyone use their C an C cage as a run during the summer? I understand you can get them with a lid. How secure are they? We do have foxes in our area so would need it to be pretty tough to make sure they couldn’t get in.

 

[sport_billy]

Hello again (i have responded on your intro thread with some links you may find helpful)

2x3 is not going to be good for too piggies far too small i am afraid. It won't give them enough space to run around in and may end up with fights etc as the space is far too small. at around 90-100cm

Guinea pigs in a pair need 120cm in length so a commercial cage such as this excellent priced one at zooplus
Skyline Maxi XXL Small Pet Cage | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!

or the trusty ferplast
Ferplast Rabbit & Guinea Pig Cage 120 | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!

these are so much cheaper than place like pets at home who will sell you a 100cm cage for the same price that is too small for two pigs

Sorry if I am coming across negative, it is great you are doing your research as often we get people having issues with small cages after they have purchased them.

A 2x4 c&c cage would be great for two piggies, they are indeed quite portable. For trips you could just take a plastic sheet for floor covering (waterproof) pop a towel and fleece on top of that then the grids round the outside, not actually take the corex base with you. With c&c grids it pays to always cable tie them together as well as us the connectors. Finally I would not use a c&c as a run outside it is not predator proof at all, runs outside need sturdy lids. If you are going to have them out in garden then best to invest in a proper run, you can often get these advertised 2nd hand on ebay or in post office windows etc....

hope that helps

Lee

 

[Ginpig]

Thanks for your help with this. This forum is great!


I am trying to see if we could fit a 2x4 C and C in the allotted space but it would just be that bit too big which is a shame as I think they look so much nicer then the cage type. However, in the interests of our future friends we’re probably going to get the ferplast 120 as this should fit nicely. It looks a bit easier to clean than the other one you linked to as the sides open completely up. They’ll have a 5ft hutch in the summer months so this will just be their winter residence anyway… elsewhere on this forum I’ve seen people suggesting using a pop up puppy pen for temporary accommodation which would be perfect for our weekends away.


I had my mind set on using fleece as a cage liner but wonder if an alternative would be better/easier in these types of cages? Any suggestions?

 

[flowerfairy]

For the hutch (i know it isnt exactly the summer months yet ...) line it with lino to stop urine damaging the wood. I used fleece when I had my two sows in an indoor plastic based cage with bars. They also had a hay tray with hemp bedding and loads of hay where they did most of their wees.

Omg they were so young and teeny,

 

[RosieMaia]

Thanks for your help with this. This forum is great!


I am trying to see if we could fit a 2x4 C and C in the allotted space but it would just be that bit too big which is a shame as I think they look so much nicer then the cage type.

You can overlap the grids and secure them with cable ties. For instance, I have an almost 7X2 C&C. That's not my cage, but an example I found online:

You could also add a loft. While it doesn't count towards the total space, I find it does help if one of the piggies needs some alone time.

 

[lissie]

Actually, 2x3 C&C cage provides more space than the 120 cm cages.

I took the dimensions from the links provided and calculated the square cm.

Ferplast cage is 118cm x 58.5cm = 6903 square cm

Skyline cage is 119cm x 59cm = 7021 square cm

2x3 C&C cage is 106cm x 71.12cm (each grid is 14 inches, I converted them to cm) = 7587 square cm

You also need to account for the slanted base of the 120 cages. The floor space is less than the total dimensions.

However, if you have space for 2x4 C&C, that would be great.

 

[Ginpig]

Thank you for doing this - I didn't even think about working out the total area! I keep changing my mind now about what to!

As the cage is in my son’s room I think it would actually be a good idea to have a lid on the cage… just in case of things falling in. I know you can put a lid on the C and c cages but part of their appeal to me is that they’re open.


I wonder what people think is easier in terms of keeping clean? This might help sway my decision. The traditional cage (ferplast etc) or a c and c?

 

[sport_billy]

Thank you for doing this - I didn't even think about working out the total area! I keep changing my mind now about what to!

As the cage is in my son’s room I think it would actually be a good idea to have a lid on the cage… just in case of things falling in. I know you can put a lid on the C and c cages but part of their appeal to me is that they’re open.


I wonder what people think is easier in terms of keeping clean? This might help sway my decision. The traditional cage (ferplast etc) or a c and c?

I wouldn't go back to traditional cage now, but we have sort of hybrid of the c&c cage. But sayign this i was happy for many years with the ferplast until we moved house and could give the pigs more space

We use a plastic table cloth then on top towels then on top fleece.... Around this grids held together with cable ties. No corex. Sort of like a run.