Help Please With Cage Decision!

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justjo14

justjo14

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Cage dilemma!? :help::ple::blink:
Hi guys, after months of agonising I am (almost) ready to order an over winter indoor cage for the 2 rescue sows we are planning to home in the next few weeks. Playing around with furniture etc, I can ideally fit either the Maxi Skyline XL 120cm or the Ferplast 120cm. I would ideally like them to have a mezzanine level, safely enclosed and with a more suitable ramp....so:


  • Is it possible to get rid of the steep plastic level in the Ferplast? Is it possible to make and add my own version of a mezzanine level and still be able to access enough of the cage to clean as I guess I would not be able to open one side if level was wired to it? Has anyone done this? Does anyone have pics/ideas please?
  • Is the Maxi Syline, at 47cm high, tall enough to create a mezzanine for adult piggies? Has anyone done this? Any pics/ideas please? or would they be too close to the roof/ e.g for next doors cat to reach a skinny Siamese paw down and poke them if he got the urge . My own old tabby is totally disinterested in our next door neighbour's piggies which we have been looking after for years, so no worries about him but we do have to factor in the additional regular pussy cat visitor (Yes, I do have a microchip cat flap but he can still trip it, even after 2 replacements! See previous thread)
  • Does the small size of the front door on the Maxi create problems for cleaning out. I am only 5ft 2" and the cage will be raised off the ground by about 70cm so accessing from above could be an issue? Has anyone modified this cage to make a larger front opening door? If so, any advice welcome!

Think that's it for now, at least I have narrowed it down to 2! Was in love with idea of 150cm cages but just can't squeeze one in, but they are having a 6ft outdoor hutch and large run so hope they'll forgive me?!
Many thanks

New piggy parent-to-be x
 
Hi, I personally would go with the ferplast 120 purely for ease of access with the doors. The plastic level/ramp is easily removed and replaced with a new one. Personally I would make it free standing with legs to avoid having to attach it to the cage, that would also mean it could be moved about for some variety also. If you browse through the commercial cage gallery thread, which is pinned at the top of the housing board you will see examples of peoples diy mezzanine floors. :)
 
zombieprincess said:
Hi, I personally would go with the ferplast 120 purely for ease of access with the doors. The plastic level/ramp is easily removed and replaced with a new one. Personally I would make it free standing with legs to avoid having to attach it to the cage, that would also mean it could be moved about for some variety also. If you browse through the commercial cage gallery thread, which is pinned at the top of the housing board you will see examples of peoples diy mezzanine floors. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you so much, this really is the cage I like best, because of the doors, and the free standing mezzanine idea is great....brilliant, in fact!:yahoo::agr:
 
justjo14 said:
Thank you so much, this really is the cage I like best, because of the doors, and the free standing mezzanine idea is great....brilliant, in fact!:yahoo::agr:
Click to expand...

No problem, I really like how you get full access to the front of that cage, which you don't with many. The only thing I would say is find away to clip or pin the doors back when they are open. You can balance them but they are easily wobbled and dropped, which can scare the guineas if they are in it.

A friend of mine always made her own platforms to cages, generally she would just have a piece of wood cut to size, 4 legs made from broom handles and then add ramps or sides as needed. :)
 
Just found this as just got the Ferplast 120 and want to remove the existing house and ramp and put in a custom mezzanine and wasn't sure how to do it because of the full front opening but a free standing one is a great idea.

Did you make one?
 
I am getting the 120 casita because I like the idea of having an open top but you can get ferplast corner levels that clip on and ramps on Amazon or you can buy a kerbyl vantage point which is wood which is what I am going to get to have another level (a bit small but next to a cosy cave thing it will be at least some space above the main cage). Google on Amazon
 
Lilpalf said:
Just found this as just got the Ferplast 120 and want to remove the existing house and ramp and put in a custom mezzanine and wasn't sure how to do it because of the full front opening but a free standing one is a great idea.

Did you make one?
Click to expand...
Lilpalf said:
Just found this as just got the Ferplast 120 and want to remove the existing house and ramp and put in a custom mezzanine and wasn't sure how to do it because of the full front opening but a free standing one is a great idea.

Did you make one?
Click to expand...
Didn't need to in the end as my two love the existing house and ramp?! Just used a bandy bridge to make a ramp and works fine. My two are 4 months old now and cage still going strong overnight tho they spend day out in big hutch and outside run. Still think it was a really good buy, cat proof, strong, easy to clean etc..
 
justjo14 said:
Didn't need to in the end as my two love the existing house and ramp?! Just used a bandy bridge to make a ramp and works fine. My two are 4 months old now and cage still going strong overnight tho they spend day out in big hutch and outside run. Still think it was a really good buy, cat proof, strong, easy to clean etc..
Click to expand...

Good to know, glad it is cat proof, that was another concern. Mine will be using an indoor playpen when we are in. Having work done in the garden but the design is going to include a piggie run
 
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