I've finally taken the plunge....

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jen_blue

Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
112
Reaction score
0
Points
0
and ordered x3 sets of grids from an ebay seller at around £50 including p and p. I dont really have much of a design in mind but think the bigger the better as my little lads seem to be getting bigger and bigger by the day!

They have to be separated as they wont get along and I want them to have an upper level to give them as much space as they like. I have much more space upwards than I do outwards IYSWIM so a second level seems best. I am also hoping to put some sort of hay part in as they currently live on fleece but keep pulling their hay down on to the floor to lie on out in open. I also want it to be hip/waist height to make it easier for me to clean and pet them and to keep all their things underneath (they have sooo much stuff!).

I also wanted to put some sort of brick/concrete area in to encourage their nails to worn down naturally.

Thanks for any ideas.
 
If you haven't already seen it, this American website is worth a look. They have lots of photos with some good ideas. Somebody there has made a brick "patio" by simply placing some bricks in there - that would help wear their nails down as well as help keep them a bit cooler in hot weather.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/index.htm

I'm looking for ideas myself, as I also took the plunge and ordered some grids last night. Good luck with the planning and building work - hope you find a design that works well for you and your little ones!:)
 
Thanks I got the idea for using grids from that site. The patio sounds a good idea - honestly I dont spend this amount of time on my own house.
 
Jen_blue said:
Thanks I got the idea for using grids from that site. The patio sounds a good idea - honestly I dont spend this amount of time on my own house.
Click to expand...

:)):)) I have lost many hours to c & c design... and mine's pretty basic.

Top tips: it will probably take a lot longer than you think and a lot more cable ties. rolleyes

What's the overall floor space that you have available?
 
flips said:
:)):)) I have lost many hours to c & c design... and mine's pretty basic.

Top tips: it will probably take a lot longer than you think and a lot more cable ties. rolleyes

What's the overall floor space that you have available?
Click to expand...

hi,

I've just measured the space and I have 42" x 61" available floor space. It can go a high as you like.

Cable ties: is it possible to buy reuable ones?

Jen
 
Jen_blue said:
hi,


Cable ties: is it possible to buy reuable ones?

Jen
Click to expand...

It is possible to re-open the ties once you closed them using a very small screwdriver or a pair of compasses to prise open the 'latch'. I have done this on a number of occasions successfully.
 
Well I have just done a plan -

The bottom will be 3x4 with a second level in a sideways E shape also 3x4 with a ramp for each of them (they're permenantly separated, still not sure whether to try to put them back together).

I have just bought some reusable cable ties from Ebay (Rapstrap) and will buy the wooden joists (from Homebase) and ask around about correx in some of the signmakers shops when I am in town on Thursday.

Not sure what else I can do - I will need to do it all in one day as I dont have the space to keep two cages up (one for them to stop in while I build the second one). Any tips woulds be hugely welcomed.

Jen
 
I've ordered some grids from eBay myself, so will be watching this thread with interest. Plans are to make a 2x4 for my two guineas with some sort of upper level if I'm feeling ambitious.

Looking forward to hearing how you are getting on with yours and solving any problems you may come across whilst building.
 
Well my first piece of advice is to make sure you have checked the amount of cubes you need ....... I am short by 4 at a minimum and I am struggling for enough to do shelving/storage underneath. I bought three packs of 16 squares.

Tommorrow I will go to Homeb@se and buy some wire mesh stuff and fix it onto either the sides or the floor so that I can use those cubes in more useful places to make sure I have a full cage.

Also struggling to get hold of any correx - one person I spoke to wanted £45 for a sheet so thinking I will just buy some kitchen lino.

The things that have worked well so far have been the Rapstraps - brillant idea!

Jen
 
I rang 3 seperate sign writers (makers) that were local to me and each of them quoted £15 for a 8 x 4 sheet, think £45 is a bit steep there.
 
I will have a ring around ... went in a carpet shop yesterday and he said a 2 metre x 1 metre sheet would be 14.98 so think I will probably go with that as I am hoping to put reinforcing joists in too so I shouldnt need the extra strength.

Has anyone any ideas on what bedding/base to use?

I currently use fleece with towels underneath, a incontinence sheet then newspaper and then a nylon sheet underneath to keep it all place. When I change the cage it takes an age ........ and when I spot clean that takes another 20 minutes.... I'm struggling for time (2 jobs etc etc) and really could do with reducing this as it eats into the time I can spend with Leo and Augustus.

Jen
 
£5 a sheet sounds great!
Thats good to know as we have a tp by us.
Poor jen!I defo understand the time thing-I seem to be constantley busy:{
I would be inclined to use less materials in the bedding e.g fleece,towels ect and maybe just up for lots of newspaper underneath and something thick on top (I use vetbed).
Ive found this to be a quick and easy way to reduce time on cleaning out:))
Issyx
 
hi,

I'm worried I'm not measuring up correctly.... I have calculated that the width of the cage is ... and the length is ... and I want around 2 inches to turn up all the way around.

I went back to the floor shop and asked again about lino and he said it would be £27 for the actual amount I wanted ....

I tried to improvise and use cardboard boxes with carpet protector taped onto it but I have just run out of carpet protector and its taken me an hour to do what seemed like a simple job - really fed up now.

Jen
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top