how many pigs will my C&C accommodate?

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Dusty_bugs

Dusty_bugs

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So I've tidied my spare room out and have made a provisional space for a new C&C cage. I've got about 66 grids. So far I have a base 'L' shape 74cmsx150cms along one side and 240cms by 74 along another. I reckon this will only use bout 26 grids because every sidepanel facing the room will be substituted for a removable perspex 'L' shaped panel .. so I might as well make an upstairs! .. I know I haven't built it yet.. but can anyone have a stab at how many pigs would be able to enjoy this space? So far I have none :( so I'm dreaming big!

I should note: I probably wont get more than 4..
 
I would think of it more as less is more, the less pigs you have the more space they will have to play in the happier they will be, if you would be happy with just two or three, then just get two or three, don’t get 5 or 6 just because you can fit that many in it i’d never really want more than 3 because thats what I'm happy with, maybe try 2 girls and expand as you see fit :)
 
It depends on whether you want to go for boys or for girls/girl(s) & neutered boar and whether you want one big group or several smaller couples or perhaps a trio or quartet (preferably not made up of boars)

Generally, a 2x4 12 in grid cage can accommodate 2-3 piggies (being the same ground space, sc. 1 sq metre, as a traditional 60x150cm cage), with every grid length or width of the cage you can add a piggy. Boars will need more space than girls as a rule.

If you go for more piggies, then you have to consider that you will need to clean out the cages more often - and that is quite a time factor with large areas! I would recommend starting slowly and - if you wish - expand as you feel is right for you and the piggies in your care.

I haven't started out with a large group, but I have very slowly expanded it as I went along, making sure that I could still cope and that the new piggies would fit into the kind of setting I provided. Over time I have also found that I needed to split off piggies from the large group for various reasons (health, cataracts, bullying etc.) so I have had to find new space and solutions. Keep your arrangements flexible and don't max them out from the beginning, so you can go on a journey with any new piggies and let them guide you.
 
great advice guys thanks! I'd like to start with a trio if I can find one. Then I can add a n/boar or a single lady maybe if we are ready for more. I would like a bigger tribe this time, we've kept four and we can handle the cuddle/extra feed and clean out times quite easily.

I will have to talk to Lee, I think 4 would be our max, but I was just curious how much more space our pigs would be getting when compared to the max number of pigs recommended for the space :)
 
I am sure that you will keep us updated! Best of luck with any bondings. if you want to start out, make sure that the core group is getting on and at first, only rehome submissive girls (of any age) or younger piggies with a group background to keep the initial hierarchy intact - that keeps the group stable while you build it up. Make sure that you introduce a neutered boar early on; ideally right from the beginning. Later on it can be much difficult to haven him accepted by a very dominant head sow.
 
We've started with a n/ boar and a young submissive girl! They were kept as a herd of males with 1 female but they left her completely alone! Bizarre to see but it worked!
 
Best of luckwith your piggy journey!

There are always exceptions to the rule...
 
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