height of the hutch? Advice needed asap

[Tani]

Hi folks!
We are looking to take another piggy in and I really need some advice on the minimum height recommended for each floor of the hutch so I can build another layer.
I don't have alot of space to play with and although my current piggies love the bottom floor which is not very high at all, I don't want them to feel claustrophobic!

 

[Rachel WD]

I don't know if there are "legal" height requirements but alot of people have a second floor in their c&c cages which is 1 grid high. Granted the grids vary in size but they are roughly 12 or 14 inches. I wouldn't personally have it any lower than that as although pigs are unlike bunnies (in that they need to be able to stand up to periscope), I think it would seem a bit claustrophobic for them, and could be dark and gloomy depending on what was above them.

 

[Tani]

Hi there and thanks for replying!

The front of the 'cage' is all perspex so it gets a fair amount of light in, but they always choose to mostly go down to the bottom level where, althought the front is also perspex, it's not very high and is therefore 'cosier'. All of them do use both floors but none of them actually run around much anymore. It's weird! They did when they were babies, zoomed eveywhere, but if I try and even let them out in the room they just run back to their cage or by my feet, ha ha.

I certainly don't want to make it feel cramped for them though so will just try for as high as I can.

Do you think the height issue is mainly a case of 'not enough light' or 'not enough head space' ?
If the first is the issue, then I could use part perspex floor which I can leave uncovered (i.e. no paper) and that way there would be more light.... ?/

 

[Rachel WD]

That may be difficult/slippy for them to walk on. I guess it depends how high the cage is altogether. If it is 2 foot or more then I think you will be fine putting the second floor in. Mine don't run so much but they do sometimes jump about (very funny to watch) and I wouldn't like to think that they wouldn't do this if the roof was too low. They also like to climb the bars when food is coming so again I personally wouldn't want to restrict that. You may need to just give it a go and see how they like it :

 

[Tani]

Ah yes, it would probably be too slippy.
Their cage doesn't have any bars really - it's a custom built sort of pen which is just under 3' height and 5'wide in total. There is no 'top' (except when it's been cold I slung a thick blanket over it to make it cosier) although my drawing bench (which is a separate piece of furniture) slides over their pen independantly keeping them warmer.
It already has 2 levels with the bottom being a pull out on wheels. This is usually pulled out during the day and is low enough that they can jump from the main floor into it (or use the single ramp).

I will work out what I can do with it and make a decision.

 

[Rachel WD]

Good luck. I would be interested in seeing some pics as it sounds very unusual

 

[Tani]

Good luck. I would be interested in seeing some pics as it sounds very unusual

Ha ha, Yes, we have had many cages and this is the best in the space we came up with!

I think though that I was only allowed to post 2 pictures when I joined no? I will take some pictures the next few days and put them in my album if I am allowed to...

 

[Rachel WD]

I didn't think there was a limit on pictures. The more the merrier I say

 

[Tani]

Aww, I just double checked as have taken some photos now, but indeed there is no way I can upload anymore!
I have sent an e-mail to the moderator so hopefully they will explain what the problem is

 

[Tani]

Hi!

I don't have that account - I have Tinypic, but would prefer it if I could just upload from this site if I can as it's alot easier