Floor time

[Bubble64]

I have 4 boars that live in pairs. I'm looking to start floor time but not really suee where to do it. In the room they are in, I would have to block off the archway through to the gym room as there is no door, I'd have to block off behind their c and c cages and block off under their stands which then leaves not much floor space. I could have them in the bedroom downstairs but would have to block off all around the double bed and block off radiators, behind wardrobes etc. Also peeing on the carpet, does this happen often? And I don't have many other places to do it because I also have cats and lots of places in my house don't have doors so I couldnt use dining room and bathrooms are too small. I've tried using playpens but they are always too small. I can't use outside either due to only having concrete and artificial grass in the back amd dint feel confident using the front grass as its also shared grass by my neighbour and covered in cat poop (I know right - gross) I dont mind using the 2 rooms mentioned but which would be the best one? And what could I use to block off the unsafe ares because there is a lot that needs blocking off and c and c grids seem really expensive amd take ages to set up and I don't want to have to spend LOADS of money on things to block areas off so I would be really grateful for any advice. Thanks!

 

[AidaB]

Do you have a hall you could use?
We have used our hall in the past for floortime, just needed to use grids to block off the stairs and a blanket in front of the front door to prevent draughts.
Then I put a few blankets over the wooden floor and a big pile of hay and familiar houses for the piggies.
This was when we had visiting foster pigs in winter/spring, so everypig took a turn in the hall. I would only do this once or twice over a weekend, it was quite a mission!
Now its just our two I set up our spare grids as a different temporary home in our living space.
You can buy grids ,usually from amazon, quite cheaply. Just make sure you get the right size, for safety.
I have also used cardboard to block areas in the past. Sometimes still as a box, just placing something heavy inside it so no pig can move it out the way.

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

I've used large books to block in the past too - a stack of chunky dictionaries. Also the guineas own carrier, which conveniently has on opening on the end rather than on top, so they'd also go in it to hide/pee.

Are the bathrooms smaller than the playpens? Recently I used my bathroom for 2-3 days non-stop.

IME guineas pee and poo w/o considering carpets etc. In a different apartment, my guineas ran around the kitchen during floor time (not all the time). I put out an old sheet for them with newspapers under it in popular toilet spaces like in hideys etc.

Way back, I sometimes used friends' gardens or even a public park, tho the latter only once and it was a bit of an ordeal, carting an outside run along. I went with friends and their bunnies. And even friends' gardens couldn't be a regular thing. Kind of a hassle getting the guineas and their equipment there.

I must say, I did find it kind of a mission in general and I never managed daily or whatever you're meant to do.

As for which room - I'd just try both out and see which is less work/hassle.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If they have big cages then actually floor time isn’t a necessity.
It is really just about getting into a different space so even if the playpen is a bit smaller than their cages it wouldn’t matter (as long as it was still big enough).
Remembering also that not all piggies actually like floor time - it’s a new environment and a big open space isn’t always enticing to them. A playpen with a blanket over the top can make them feel more secure.

I would try both your potential spaces for a few times and see how things go.


My set up is different (my pigs live in my shed) but in summer when it’s too hot they come inside. To have them safely inside I use c&c play pens. I cable tie loads of grids together on a long line (so the two end grids are not connected). This allows for it to concertina up and be stored.
When the pen is needed I put a plastic sheet down on the floor, unfold the grids, put a grid connector on the two end grids and I’ve got a playpen set up inside of five minutes.

 

[Posyrose]

As said previously, c and c grids are cheap on amazon ( try songmics storage cubes) and if you cable tie a few together it makes setting up much easier. I have a large number tied together to make a large 'playpen', but you easily use a few tied together to block off areas ýou don't want them to go.