Has Anyone Converted A Doge Cage Into A Guinea House?

[xpinkyperkyx]

hi there, i'm new to the forum and have spent far too much time noseying around different threads and loved it! so my problem is that i have rescued 3 beautiful guinea pigs, i have a double storey outdoor hutch but they've never been outside, one's only 3 months and it's too cold (and if i'm completely honnest i want them in with the family!) my indoor cage is too small for them really-and i know i should have aquired a suitable home first but these girls were in such an awful state i couldn't leave them there

so i've been looking into new indoor housing, loving the c&c but would cost a lot for one large enough with a roof so i'm wondering if anyone has converted a dog cage into guinea pig cage? money is tight and i have a large dog cage just sitting in the garden-it was used for a rabbit run a few years ago. i was just outside and it caught my eye-in theory i could add a layer and use my ladder from outdoor cage just need to get correx i think?!

so sorry for long post, i just wanted peoples opinions really, the cage dimensions are 110 x 69 x 78cm
thanks, jo xx

 

[Germaine]

Can you not just bring the hutch inside? In the space where you wanted the c&c cage to go? That would be cheapest and give them more space potentially? How big is it? I would be hesitant to use the dog cage because http://www.guineapigcages.com/ suggests 76cmx127cm for two guinea pigs.

 

[Bekki]

the dog cage is an adequate size, a 120x60cm commercial cage is the minimum for two and that has a tapered base so is more like 110x50 internally as your dog cage doesnt slope it actuallly is bigger internally! With an extra level in it made from correx it sounds like it could be a lovely home until the weather warms up.

 

[lissie]

The size is about the same as a 2x3 C&C, which is on the small side even for 2 pigs.

You could try it out. If they don't fight, it should be fine to use. Might need more cleaning than usual.

What you need to worry about is the spacing between the bars. For adult pigs, the spacing should be no bigger than 1.5 inches. For the 3 month old pig, you would still need to babyproof the cage. The bars for the 3 months old should be no bigger than 3/4 inch. Else they can get their heads stuck.

To babyproof, you can attach a piece of cardboard or coroplast/correx up to 10 inches high on all the sides, or attach some kind of mesh to the bars. I've also seen playpen attached to the grids to make the spacing smaller. You can attach to the cage with cable ties.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000WFCG0A

 

[xpinkyperkyx]

my hubby doesn't want the outdoor hutch inside as he thinks it will smell although when i tell him my idea he may well change his mind! regarding baby proofing i was thinking of putting the correx higher but will probably use garden mesh as my mum has lots in her shed. they all get on well so fingers crossed, will chat to hubby tomorrow see what he thinks.

 

[xpinkyperkyx]

the dog cage is an adequate size, a 120x60cm commercial cage is the minimum for two and that has a tapered base so is more like 110x50 internally as your dog cage doesnt slope it actuallly is bigger internally! With an extra level in it made from correx it sounds like it could be a lovely home until the weather warms up.

thank you that's what i thought, and would give them more room than standard indoor cages, especially with i second level. i'm really looking forward to trying it out, have to move furniture around to see if it will fit (and talk it thru with hubby) then it's all go! x

 

[Goth Mummy]

Hi! I have used a dog crate as a large indoor guinea pig home in the past until I converted it for my rabbit. It was a great home as long as you take precautions regarding bar spaces. I'm all in favour of reusing and recycling! X

 

[xpinkyperkyx]

thank you all, i've gone ahead and done it-i took out the bottom tray as it was all manky and turned upside down(the holes too large from where they tray's removed) i've ordered correx from teacrate (really cheap) will be here monday. have also ordered a snuggle cat bed for £4 on ebay and for the moment they have cardbord, newspaper, bed liner towell topped with fleece all tucked in and they're loving it, i will be adding a second layer later in the week once i;ve got supplies and will upload pictures, but so far they have loads more space and freedom than previously and seem much more content as a trio x

 

[Goth Mummy]

That's great! I think you could even add a second tier! Hope you post photos when its done!