Cage dilemas

[wildhouse]

We are having problems deciding on the best cage for our pigs. We can accommodate a 100cm cage with ease and a 120cm cage with more difficulty but can be done. We have them in an 80 cm cage which is what we were given by the previous owners, this has not proved a problem but we also have a large playpen style cage they use both outside and in so can get lots of exercise.
We are looking (arguing over) the following cages:
Cage 1

I like this one for the front opening. 100cms

Cage 2

Similar but I don't think this opens up all way along the front. 100cms

Cage 3

this one has small front opening and larger top opening but good value. 100cms

Cage 4

This one is my favorite - loads of space despite being 102cms long, on casters but very expensive. Has small opening in the front of both cages and a larger top opening.

Cage 5

This is hubbys favorite 122cms long as has a couple of ledges giving them more space without having two cages to clean out. The bottom pulls out of the frame. Is half the price from the one above but it is bulky and large and cannot be set-up without the frame.

Decisions decisions................. your poll and any comments and/or your recommendations would be most welcome. We cant have a c & c cage due to the cats and dog (Feels like we are a mini petting zoo )

 

[twiams]

I have cage 3 !
It's a nicely sized and easy to clean cage.
I house my 2 boars in it and they love it, theres only one thing i can fault with it, which is you may wanna get a different bottle than the one it comes with, i took my bottle back to the shop and they replaced it with a different brand, the ones you find on hutches, clear with red tops.
The food bowl is great though, has a top with enough space for two to eat at the same time, it fits nicely in a corner and just looks good in the cage better than a plain round bowl!
The shelf creates a little cave almost for them to nap in wich my piggies love
If you want any more info about the cage or pictures of anything i can show you ! haha hope you find the perfect cage for you and your piggies !

 

[flintstones]

Hi There,

Welcome to the forum for me there's no decision to be made the ONLY cage suitable is option number 5 and the reason for this is floors do not count as floor space also piggies are not build for ramps and may hurt themselves.

The Rspca standards is 4ft x 2ft - 120cm is recommended for 2 pigs.

Number 5 is an amazing cage to, your pigs will be in heaven.

 

[harold_the_pig]

Hi There,

Welcome to the forum for me there's no decision to be made the ONLY cage suitable is option number 5 and the reason for this is floors do not count as floor space also piggies are not build for ramps and may hurt themselves.

The Rspca standards is 4ft x 2ft - 120cm is recommended for 2 pigs.

Number 5 is an amazing cage to, your pigs will be in heaven.

Yep couldn't have put it better myself, the others are a bit tight on space for 2

 

[twiams]

But at the end of the day, people buy what fits there budget and the space available, i have cage 3 and as your saying here, my cage is too small, but my pigs have floor space and are happy as could be.

 

[harold_the_pig]

Not having a go, just stating my opinion, i had 2 Boars in a 100cm cage and they scrapped, moved them in to 120 they were happier, just my opinion tho from my past experiences x

 

[lauralucy]

as said a 120cm by 60cm is minimum for 2 piggies, bigger for 2 boys.

if you have a strange shape/size why not consider a c&c cage it can be adapted to the space you have. as long as you dont have any cats dogs etc

 

[wildhouse]

I have cage 3 !
It's a nicely sized and easy to clean cage.
I house my 2 boars in it and they love it, theres only one thing i can fault with it, which is you may wanna get a different bottle than the one it comes with, i took my bottle back to the shop and they replaced it with a different brand, the ones you find on hutches, clear with red tops.
The food bowl is great though, has a top with enough space for two to eat at the same time, it fits nicely in a corner and just looks good in the cage better than a plain round bowl!
The shelf creates a little cave almost for them to nap in wich my piggies love
If you want any more info about the cage or pictures of anything i can show you ! haha hope you find the perfect cage for you and your piggies !

We have a red topped water bottle already so would just keep using that

 

[wildhouse]

Not having a go, just stating my opinion, i had 2 Boars in a 100cm cage and they scrapped, moved them in to 120 they were happier, just my opinion tho from my past experiences x

We are very lucky as we got them from the previous owners in an 80cm cage but did not measure this at the time. They get on like a house on fire and are inseperable - really cute and are like magnets, even if you have two hidyholes they will squash themselves into the same one. Have honestly never heard nor seen them fight. I understand that the bigger the better and a 120 it may well be.

 

[wildhouse]

as said a 120cm by 60cm is minimum for 2 piggies, bigger for 2 boys.

if you have a strange shape/size why not consider a c&c cage it can be adapted to the space you have. as long as you dont have any cats dogs etc

2 cats and 1 dog so C & C is not an option although would be great to design.

 

[Raven]

How old are the boars? If they are under 6 months old you may find they challenge each other when they hit the hormones. I am struggling to imagine 2 adult boars being comfortable in an 80cm cage! Bear in mind that as the length of the cage increases the other proportions do to, e.g. a 4 ft x 2 ft cage = 8 square ft, 3 ft x 1.5ft = 4.5 sq ft, that's a big difference in floor area.

 

[wildhouse]

they are 1 year old now. We know they are needing more space, hence the bigger cage, but also do get into their run each day.

 

[1st-time-mum-sarah]

I have cage 5 and love it, it's easy to clean and get to the piggies. It's got lots of openings and the only think I will say is the water bottles rubbish!

 

[lily 74]

cage 5 as it meets the RSPCA's minimum requirements plus it's a great cage