How Big Should Cage Be Without Run Time?

[Fishybat]

Hi

I have bought a ferplast 140 for my 2 sows. They have the whole floor space ( no closed bedrooms) they have an upper ledge to sit on.

When they were in the 120 I used to put them in a run(indoor) everyday but they didn't really run around apart from first 10 minutes then snuggled up to sleep. They seem so much happier in the cage which is up off the floor and they popcorn away. They like being at face level rather than have people towering over them as on floor.

My question is if I leave them in the 140 all the time apart from clean out and lap time is that enough room for them? They don't go outside as our garden is not safe. I also childmind so needed a commercial cage that my little mindee's can't get in too.

 

[piggyfan]

Although the cage meets minimum requirements it is not big enough to avoid giving floor time. They still need two hours of floor time a day. I made my cage 8 by 3 to not have to do floor time as my little ones did not feel secure enough to make full use of floor time.

 

[biscandmatt]

i find they prefer floor time where they can come and go from their main cage. ches and maisie would just sit around during floor time and seemed to want to go back to their cage. how high up is the cage? is there anyway you could build a fold up run and use a ramp to allow them to access it? then you could put this up and down when needed, and easily aswell.

i think the cage is too small for no floor time personally.

 

[Fishybat]

Thank you for replies. The cage is up on a pine sideboard so way to high to attach run. Has to be up there as I live in a flat and childmind so want to keep them safe from the mindee's. 2 hour spells sound ok. They seem to do zoomes in their cage as they are only 800g so plenty of room but just walk around in run then sleep.
I will keep putting them in, because as they get bigger I guess they will then need room to run and it is a change of scenery for them too. Just thought if cage was big enough they might prefer to stay put.

 

[MochaMoo]

My piggies are the same! They will potter about a little when in their run, but mostly they just hide! I find scattering hay around and some tasty veg or forage tends to encourage them out Greedy little things!

 

[Twinkletoes]

I think 10minutes of floor time is fine. If they get tired pop them back in the cage. Floor time shoukd be quick and easy. However I would suggest making a play pen with grids and let them have at least one day a week where they can have floor time all day.
I have a small convinient cage but I give my piggys floor almost everyday I just attach the run to the cage in the morning and pack it away in the afternoon. I make it simple. To not give floor time is madness. No one wants to be locked in a room for the rest of their lives. Give them some happiness even if it's just 10minutes once per week. Anything will do.