Could this be used like a c&c cage? Also advice for winter housing?

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princess tigerlily

princess tigerlily

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Unfortunately I can't keep my guinea pigs indoors at the moment unless I persuade my parents (more specifically my mum who is scared of small fury animals). But for those who can keep their piggys indoors would this not be a cheap version of a c&c cage if you arranged for it to be a guinea pig cage and not a shoe holder. Well, i mean chloroplast etc would have to be brought on top. I would use our summer house this winter but unfortunately all my nanas things (she passed a few years ago) are still in there, which is a shame because it has heating. So, whilst on the topic of housing any suggestions of how to keep my new boys warm this winter. Last year we used a quilt, bubble wrap and a waterproof sheet over top and also had a big tent however not sure the tent is going to go over the new hutch (5ft by 2.5ft). I was also planning on getting one of those microwave pad things. However, being a student nurse means I can do up to 12.5 hour shifts so how often do they need to be re-heated? Will this be enough? Any other ideas? ?/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/INTERLOCKING-SHOE-ORGANIZER-RACK-PAIRS/dp/B0011YAZV8/ref=pd_sim__30

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Hi there

I'm interested in what you are saying could be used as a cheap version of C&Cs but there is no picture or link - could you post one so we can see what you are talking about?

The summer house sounds good - when you are all feeling up to dealing with your nana's things ( I know just how hard is is to sort out deceased relatives's stuff).
 
Its not just me, my mum took her death really hard and I haven't had the guts to ask her about using the summer house :( just wouldn't know where to start
 
As long as it is high enough.Have seen cages made purely from choroplast (correx) on ebay so assume you don't need the frame if you make it high enough
 
That's a good point hadn't thought about the height. The Highway Man thank you :) also does anyone have any ideas about maybe approaching my mum with using the heated summer house. The more I think about it the better it would be. Just don't want to upset her as she took the death hard and nearly three years on still finds it difficult. Thank you everyone
 
The shelving grids in the picture are just 185mm (7 1/4 inches). The usual c&c grids are 356mm (14 inch). I suppose you could biuld them double heigh which would bring it up to nearly 15 inches but why not try the sets from Wayfair, see http://www.wayfair.co.uk/Safco-Wire-Cubes-in-Black-5279BL-SAF1061.html These are £30 + p&p but when you first go onto the website you get asked for your email address & get a 10% off voucher code. If you got one set it would cost £30 less £3 = £27 + £4.99 p&p = £31.99 but if you got 2 sets it would just cost £60 less £6 = £56 with free shipping over £40.

Regarding the heat pads, a lot of these last up to 12 hours but maybe start a new thread asking other members which are the best.

Finally, regarding your Nana's stuff in the summer house. Would it be possible to store it in one corner or maybe move some of it into your room to make way for a c&c set-up for your piggies?
 
Oh.... I think you need to approach your mum very carefully regarding your nana's stuff. My mum took the death of her mother very badly too, it was about 10 years before she was able to sort through her stuff :(

x
 
Thats a really good idea! I know my mum would not be happy with guinea pigs in the house and until I get a place of my own I completely understand but there is not reason why I can't move some of my nana's things into a corner in my room and under my sofa. That way guineas can move into summer house and the family can face the remainder of the things when they feel ready. Also thank you for the link that is very helpful! :))
 
Do you think asking to move some of the stuff would be ok? I find it hard talking to my mum about this as I know how difficult it is for her.
 
Hi, I used that exact set when I first got my piggies, to make a run and it was v good. With correx it would exactly the same really - they are same size as my c and c grids - well some of them are tall and thin (the side ones - but two of them make up one of the big ones if you see what I mean).

If they get wet (mine did from wee cos they were used as a run) they can get a bit manky! but I soon learnt:)

hth
xx
 
Thank you everyone, I have a lot to think about. I will keep you updated on what happens and if I ever get the courage to talk to my mum. I love the idea of them in a heated summerhouse with a nice cage but we will see. Thank you :)
 
princess tigerlily said:
Do you think asking to move some of the stuff would be ok? I find it hard talking to my mum about this as I know how difficult it is for her.
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Honestly - I wouldn't. Especially since you would be asking her to do this difficult thing, this huge thing for animals she doesn't like? I hope that makes sense. Sometimes it is right to ask people to sort of give them permission, to talk to think to explore the idea but I think you have to have the right reason. Really hope this does make sense!
 
Just remember that to sort through someone's stuff is to really face up to the fact that they are dead, and this might be something that your mother struggles with a lot more than you. Personally I find the thought of my mother dying incomprehensible - to me its impossible - and I am 36 and should have come to terms with mortality. I think that its a good long term project to use the summer house but that you should let her come to the idea of sorting the stuff on her own.
 
Yes, I see where you are coming from. I don't think I would have had the courage to ask her in the end anyway. Thank you for your help, I know you mentioned how you mum handled the death of her mum and so your advice is invaluable. For the time being I will leave it until she broaches the topic, sometimes she talks about freeing up space in the summer house, I will see what happens. Thank you everyone
 
i lost mu mum three years ago also so i can understand how it feels as I have barely touched my mums stuff as well except a few bits and bobs thats i have clung to, however as her house is on the market for sale I will be forced to do it all soon. - anyway personally I don't know your mum so only you can really judge how she would react but if it was me I would present her with both the options like you have done for us. perhaps talk to her about how cold the piggies might get and how worried sick you are, show her some videos on youtube of C&C cages to demonstrate how easy to keep they are and how much safer they are, then show her your cheap version (i think i have seen people use that stuff from amazon before just check it is tall enough though) and talk it through with her but also suggest about making in "enough room" for the pigs to go in the summer house as well as your nan's stuff.... its a compromise and you could offer to help her sort through stuff if she wants you too and it's not saying she has to get rid of anything just maybe move things around a bit she could move some stuff into the house that means a bit more to her so your piggies can fit in, that kinda thing. you will have to be very sensitive but practical as well. just get her opinion on it first rather than asking a direct question of which one you would like to do but tell her at the same time ideally they need to be moved either way as its only fair to them
 
My cages are c&c but grids are plastic covered so only cost 18 with postage on ebay and in my opinion warmer cos no gaps.Depends if you are worried about them chewing,the plastic.
 
Thanks everyone. I will maybe broach the topic with her when the time feels right, hopefully before the weather becomes too cold. Madguinealady my previous two pigs have crossed over the rainbow bridge and my new boys come this weekend or early next week (rescues) so don't know if they will chew the plastic, I will look into what you said though as £18 is very cheap. Thank you everyone for replying! It has given me a lot to think about, fingers crossed!
 
I use these for my C&C and they work great. If it's the same set then you get some panels which are rectangular which I use for the sides and then some square which I don't bother with. My 3 girls are in an 8x4.

Here's the whole run. I made the correx sides high because one of my girls ate loads last year! I've divided it in 2 with a cardboard tube (£1.30 from Wilkos) for access. The smaller part gets filled with hay and they love burrowing and sleeping in there. Also they seem to do most of their toilet in there which makes cleaning a bit easier!




Here you can see I've used some of the squares to make a little roof. They have a fleece draped over here and their cosy beds inside to make a warm, dark and draught free sleeping area.
 
Mine are outside- like your mum, mine hates animals. Especially the small furry kind.

They are in a hutch which is covered with a dust sheet, thin blanket, thin duvet an then an insulated hutch cover (£25 from PAH). They also have a Snugglesafe (a heatpad that you put in the microwave- cost me £23.99 from PAH) and they are nice and warm (their little ears were toasty warm this morning). In fact they are probably warmer than I am...
 
Emzmum said:
I use these for my C&C and they work great. If it's the same set then you get some panels which are rectangular which I use for the sides and then some square which I don't bother with. My 3 girls are in an 8x4.

Here's the whole run. I made the correx sides high because one of my girls ate loads last year! I've divided it in 2 with a cardboard tube (£1.30 from Wilkos) for access. The smaller part gets filled with hay and they love burrowing and sleeping in there. Also they seem to do most of their toilet in there which makes cleaning a bit easier!




Here you can see I've used some of the squares to make a little roof. They have a fleece draped over here and their cosy beds inside to make a warm, dark and draught free sleeping area.
Click to expand...

Wow this looks great!

The wild things, thanks for you advice, I will definitely look into getting those heat pads and the insulated hutch cover from PAH. Thank you x :D
 
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