Cage Ideas?

[KaylerRae]

Hi there I posted just before I got my girls almost 2 weeks ago now. I am in the US and am looking into getting a new bigger cage. One is 7 weeks old,the other is 4-5months. Any reccomendations on a cage other than a c & c for 2 girls?
I have thought about getting a c&c cage..4 by 2. Have seen people in the US get there grids at different department stores. The cloroplast seems rather expensive! For those that dont use it, what do you put as a base? And what sort of things do u use under the fleece? I see alot of people have a hay box with shavings, and it seems like there piggies do alot of there pees there?

Any sort of advice would be awesome. I am sure enjoying them so far. I just want to get them a bigger cage. I am attaching a picture. The calico is the 7 week old Gummi, and the other is 4-5 month old Kisses. No idea what color you'd call her. The cage I have now is a little small. And Kisses seems tochase and nip and pick on Gummi alot. Am hoping the new cage space helps!

 

[Abi_nurse]

They are vey cute. : )

For my pairs at home I use an indoor 120 cage (4ft long/120cm). You can get these from a good pet store and a lot of places do them online, they certainly do here in the uk so I'm pretty sure they will in the USA.

As for substrate. I wouldn't recommend shavings but that's my opinion. I have a sow who is allergic to it and tend to think it can really make their feet sore. I tend to use fleece or hay for the indoor cage set ups (usually hay). I just put newspaper underneath and then a good thick layer of hay. I just put newspaper under my fleece in the cages but I'm my herds c&c I usually put towels under too.

To be honest it's all about what works for you and what you prefer.

x

 

[lissie]

@KaylerRae where are you in the US? Go to google map and search for "Sabic Polymershapes" They sell a 4x8 ft sheet of coroplast for $10 - $20 (depends on the location). Their website doesn't seem to work right now, but they have branches all over the US.
http://www.sabicpolymershapes.com/polyshapes/PShapes/branchlocator/branchus.jsp

You can also call sign stores in your area. Tell them you are not making your own sign, you are using it for a guinea pig cage. Some sign stores will not sell to you if they think you are using it to make your own sign.

Home Depot also sells coroplast. They are 3x6 ft. You can make a 4.5" high wall instead of the regular 6". Go to this link and you can check local store inventory by typing in your zip code. They sell for $13 per sheet.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/COROSPLA...-in-Twinwall-Plastic-Sheet-COR-3672/202771364

For the grids, make sure not to buy them from Target. The spacing is too wide. Make sure there are 9x9 squares across. 8x8 and 5x5 squares are not safe. See this link https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/which-c-c-grids-are-piggy-safe.119635/

Since you have a baby, you will need to baby proof the cage. Even the 9x9 grids are not safe for babies. You can use an extra piece of coroplast or cardboard wedge between the coroplast base and the grids to block the baby from getting to the grids.

See this page for how to build.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm

Unfortunately, the only large enough pet store cage in the US is the Midwest Guinea Pig Habitat. The bottom is made of canvas. Some people like them, some people hate them. I've never used them myself, so not sure how hard it is to keep clean.

If you can't find coroplast, some people use plastic shower curtain or vinyl roll from home improvement stores for the base. With this option, you'll just lay them flat on the floor. You can add clear acrylic to the grids to help keep the mess contained. This will work for baby proofing too if you add acrylic to the full heigh of the grids. See this page for idea.
http://www.calicavycollective.com/2012/07/guinea-pig-diy-acrylic-backed-c-grid.html

Very popular option for the cage liner in the US is uhaul pads and fleece.
Uhaul pads are made from recycled denim, and are very absorbent.
http://www.uhaul.com/MovingSupplies/Protective-stuff/Furniture-Pad?id=2670
For fleece you have to wash at least 3 times to strip the waterproof coating so it allows water to go through to the absorbent layer.
My personal favorite is Alova suede cloth from Joann. They don't come in cute patterns like fleece, but I find that hay doesn't stick to it like fleece, and it starts letting water through after one wash.
http://www.joann.com/sew-classic-alova-solids/xprd728336.html

This page has good tips on how to use fleece.
http://www.calicavycollective.com/2014/01/11-tips-clean-fleece-bedding-guinea-pig.html

 

[KaylerRae]

Ty so much I am in AL! All very helpful tips. I hadn't considered the number of squares on the grids. I seen thrm at kart and walmart

 

[lissie]

You're welcome! I think the ones at Kmart and Walmart are safe. Make sure to check them before buying them.

 

[lissie]

By the way, if you find coroplast on home depot website, make sure to print the page and take it to the store. Employees usually don't know what coroplast is. They can look it up by item ID. They are kept with plexiglass near windows and doors section at my local store.

 

[PiggieHerd]

You can also get grid squares on amazon.

I love my C&C.

I've tried every bedding known to mankind from carefresh, shavings, fleece with towels, fleece with uhaul blankets but my favorite and currently using is fleece with wood pellets (the best).

Before using fleece with uhaul i can start smelling the urine after 3 days now i don't smell anything with 5 piggies

 

[GP1881]

Fleece with wood shavings underneath?