"Casa Cavy" C&C under construction!

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

Donna3939

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Sep 13, 2009
Messages
203
Reaction score
1
Points
205
Location
Tyne and Wear, UK
Hi everyone, thought I'd share my pics with you of my progress so far in the making of "Casa Cavy" which when finished will be a fully enclosed cage. Up to now I've went through a pack of 200 cable ties and have used about 25 from another pack! Its just about the sturdiest thing I've ever made (and I've made A LOT of flat pack furniture.)

I managed to find some timber which was 1800x33x33mm which is slightly wider than what I'd previously seen, thought it might help distribute the weight better. £2 each at Maxwells DIY, got 10 but I'm gonna need to take some back, won't need them.

I've decided that, for now, I'm gonna stick to a 5x4 grid set up, 2 separate floors with a mixed group of 4 piggies (3 girls and a neutered boy) on the bottom and a pair of boars on the top, that should be plenty of room for a pair of sprightly lads! (I have asked whether having the boys on an upper level would cause problems re: having sows in close proximity but no one has answered my thread as of yet so I'm going to carry on with the build unless someone advises against it)

Obviously this means no separate upper-level hayloft for the mixed group but I will create an area similar to this by putting a partition wall and using that area for that specific purpose.

Anyways, enough of the ramblings. Here's where I got to so far:


How it looks from standing. The front of the cage is hinged so the entire front panels drop to allow easier access for cleaning. Held up for purposes of photo.



General view



The timber support and how I attached them to the cage.



Boring I know but I thought I'd show the underside and its support beams. "Lovely!" I hear you say!



As you can see LOTS of cable ties went into making the structure secure. It'll have to be - no doubt my cats will be all over it checking it out!


Would love to hear what you think of my attempts so far to make a happy, secure home for my soon-to-be piggies.

Donna. x
 
Briony_Y said:
I wish I had the space to do something bigger for mine!
Click to expand...
We've only got the space cos its unused at the mo. At first we were gonna put the piggies in our unused garage but its too dark and it'd cost a lot to get the garage door removed and a window etc put in place instead.

The cage is in our conservatory. I know some of you may disagree with this but let me explain. Our garden is north facing so we hardly get any sun. On top of that our conservatory is open-plan. We don't have any door/walls separating it from the kitchen-diner. Therefore it stays the same temp as the rest of the house. Heat doesn't build up so it doesn't get hot in the summer and it doesn't get too cold in the winter. Basically it'd be the same as having it anywhere else in the house except for the fact that we actually have space in our conservatory! x
 
That looks fab Donna, not long now until you'll have everything in place for your new arrivals :(|)
 
Looks like a very solid construction. If you don't mind me asking, are you sure you're going to be able to access all of the bottom level ok? Both for cleaning and getting the pigs out. :) They can be slippery little *******. :(|)
 
Well I certainly hope so! The cage has to be fully closed (2 opportunistic cats and 2 terriers) so I thought by having a side which drops fully I could pull the whole base out so that I could vacuum it etc easier. I'm gonna sit the upper level one grid back so that the front grids can also lift to allow for access. Do you think it would be a better idea to install a separate level then for the hayloft? X
 
If you can pull the whole level out for cleaning it should be fine. How thick is your correx? Mine is only 2mm and I had to use double thickness to get the rigidity I wanted. If you have enough grids you could consider making the bottom level 2 grids high. You would be able to see the pigs better and it would make it easier for you to get in there to catch them. Only a thought. x
 
Ok... I *think* I've solved the problem you mentioned. I'm gonna make it double-height with integrated 5x2 hayloft at the back. The front will open fully, and the pair of boars I've got my eye on will be in a 5x2 cage above that. Do you think thats sufficient space for 2 lads? And that the design revision mentioned will be any good? X
 
Yes, the integrated hayloft in the double height bottom section makes sense. I think 5 x 2 is ok for 2 boys as long as there's room for 2 of everything- hideys, etc. I don't have boys though so hopefully others will comment on that.
I think the main thing is to be sure you can get to everywhere you need to so it's good to do plenty of thinking before you start on the correx. I have an open 4 x 3 with a 1 x 3 hayloft. To reach my pigs in the furthest corner of the cage, I have to get in it (and to clean). I'm quite big so I know I couldn't manage to get into tight spaces to catch pigs.
If you have the boys in a 5 x 2 on the top can you get to it ok?

I spent weeks planning my cage and then it changed as I built it anyway! :(|)
 
Well I'm a bit further on but disaster has struck! - I'm out of cable ties. Yep, I've already gone through 400! I'm also down to my last box of cubes so another trip to Costco is on the cards now, and B&Q for the ties.

Here's when I'm at now. Only got the chance to take one pic cos my battery ran out:

 
Ooh, just a bit. When I was first planning the build it was oh-so-simple but its just got bigger (and more expensive!) as I've gone along.

I'm just glad hubby is so understanding. He's just letting me get on with it. Bless him! x
 
Wow thats great any room for one more? (I could be packed and over in a bit lol) lucky piggies thats going to be fab once its finished!
your hubby sounds like mine, he discovered the joy of my c&c makings, evenings of peace and quiet with the telly of his choice lol i think thats why they let us get on with it ;) if were happy then they get a quiet life aye! cant wait to see it all finished and piggies home. dont know about you but i hate cable ties they kill your hands after about the first 20!
great job!
 
WOW

I wish I had the room for that! Makes me sad to think of all those poor piggies in pet shop cages, if only more people knew :(
 
"Casa Cavy" is now "The Cavy Condo"

Well the "lad's pad" on the top floor has now been completed. All thats left is the correx and furnishings. The front of their cage is hinged and will be secured using clips. I've tied the furthest left doors together, the same on the right. The middle is on its own. This gives me better scope for cleaning as I can keep the clips holding the doors together therefore have one big hinged door or remove the clips and use the doors in a number of ways.

As for the girls lower and middle floor I'm a bit stumped as how to support the double height without resorting to wooden beams as this would impact on me being able to get into the cage to clean it properly and get proper access to the piggies. *ANY ADVICE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED*

I got a bargain today, wood to make a ramp and it only cost 10p! It was on a trolley of discontinued timber and I thought "I'll have that!" Just gotta figure out the best way to do it. Do I do one long ramp or attempt to make a switch back one? I'm not DIY'er so it could end up a disaster.

Need to get MORE cable ties. I've already used 800! My fingers are dropping off.

<



Showing the two left doors hinged open. They are detached from the other doors unless clips are used.



Oh, and "Casa Cavy" has been renamed "The Cavy Condo" - hubby didn't like first name but approves of this now! x
 
Would the wood you've already used not be support enough? ( Maybe I'm missing something lol )

I kinda just gave mine a push down to see whether I thought it was strong enough if that makes sense? We're going to do the same as you have with the wooden "beam" though as when they run across the second level it bounces a bit! So more money spent on piggies this weekend rolleyes

Now everythings pretty much in place have you reserved any piggies?
 
My piggies are very green with envy! Mog is sat here sighing over the huge mansion that is "The Cavy Condo" cant wait to see it when its all done
800 cable ties wow you should take out shares in them lol:(|)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gems said:
Would the wood you've already used not be support enough? ( Maybe I'm missing something lol )
Click to expand...

Well the bits with the woden beams are very sturdy, its just where the top of the girls pad is, there won't be anything to hold it up where it comes out from the main body of the building

Now everythings pretty much in place have you reserved any piggies?
Click to expand...

Nope, not yet. Still got my eye on Lizzi, Tilly, Scruffy and Mischief. Gutted after all that talking about Ralph and Bumble Bee that they went to a new home, but at least they've found a forever home now, even though its not with me.

x
 
guineawig said:
800 cable ties wow you should take out shares in them lol:(|)
Click to expand...

Yep, and I'm gonna have to go out and get ANOTHER pack of 200, just hoping that will do me till I finish. I've already bought 4 packs and at £4.58 a pack they're half the price of a box of cubes! So the money I'm saving on the cubes I'm spending on the ties to put them together! x
 
Have you tried poundstretcher? I'm sure we only paid about 90p for a big pack of cable ties, will check when I get in how many was in the pack.
 
Well, the construction of the cage is finished!

Unfortunately I have discovered a flaw in my design. I just wasn't happy with the hinged door (which is above the girls area). It's just too heavy, and because there is a lack of wooden support in that area the body of the cage at the front just isn't stable and secure enough to take the weight. Therefore, I WILL have to resort to putting a wooden beam across the top of the side, just so that it will take the weight of the girls roof! It *shouldn't* affect my access as I should still be able to get under it without too much hassle.

I would just worry cos I'd be placing all my faith in some £4 cable ties to stop the roof caving in and decapitating some piggies as they ate and played!

So, here's the photos, the roof is all tied together but the front isn't secure. Its just hanging down at the minute. Thats why the hayloft area looks completely enclosed. The wooden beam would go on the second level in between the 2 cubes.







So... I'm back off to Maxwells DIY tomorrow to get my piece of timber so that I'd be able to sleep at night. Then its off to the Sign Makers at the weekend to arrange my correx! Woo hoo, I'm getting there! Little piggies here I come! x
 
Gems said:
Have you tried poundstretcher? I'm sure we only paid about 90p for a big pack of cable ties, will check when I get in how many was in the pack.
Click to expand...

Damn, wished I'd known that. It'd saved me about £20! Never mind, they're bought now, I'll just it down to one of life's lessons! x
 
Wicked! i keep checking back to see how its comming on it looks amazing i wish i had more room to construct one! ;)
 
Well, the penthouse suite is complete. It is sparsely furnished at the mo but a little shopping trip will soon fix the problem. The top level was originally going to be for a pair of boars but with the 2 hayracks (half-moon flower baskets), 2 water bottles, bowls for nuggets and veg, toys, beds, and toilet area it would be a bit cramped so I'm thinking of having a neutered couple in there instead. The not "having to have 2 of everything" would free up loads of space for the piggies. After all, whats the point of building them a nice sized pad if they're not going to be able to move it in once all their stuff is in.

Anyways, enough of the chat, here's the top floor:








Just need to get the girls apartment done now! x
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top