Loft conversion for Mickey and Donald!

[Nadsgirl75]

Hi! So the boys are getting along great and living their new Midwest cage. But I’ve decided to build them a lift conversion using C and C grids. I wanted to start a thread so I could show progress. My thoughts were to have their sleeping quarters upstairs to leave more room downstairs for zoomies! I have ordered my grids and hope to start work later this week... I will take some before and after photos

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Well... change of plan. Ive decided to rearrange our living room and give the boys some additional space. Just ordered a 5x2 c and c with a 2x2 loft. They’re getting bigger everyday and need more room to run around. Got loads of inspiration from this site so will post our new pad very soon! In peoples opinion what is the best way to divide up the space? Would you put sleeping upstairs with kitchen and zoomie space on bottom floor? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

 

[PigglePuggle]

Lucky boys! Our 5x2/5x3 C&C is half bedroom with fleece, half kitchen with kaytee clean and cosy on the floor, with a side room thats a walk in hay tray. Ours was meant to be 5x2 with a loft but the girls arent keen on lofts so I added it to the floor space on the side as a big hay tray.
Now we have Theo the hay tray is going to be a hay room extension with a loft because he likes climbing up to watch what his ladies are doing! The great thing about C&C cages is you can look how the piggies are using the space then make it a bit different every week

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Yes totally agree they are so much more flexible than what I have now. Wish I had done more research prior to buying the boys as I’ve alresdy had 2 cages but I’m going to try and sell the ones I have now.
I won’t buy any additional fleece until I’ve seen how they settle into it then I can decide how best to use the space. Do you have any pictures?

 

[PigglePuggle]

This is the current set up but the side hay tray on the left (that was meant to be the loft) will become a 3x2 side extension hay room with a loft over it later this week, been waiting ages for the extension delivered but I think the C&C cage company people have been on holiday for 2 weeks!

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Looks brilliant! I can’t wait until it arrives. My outside run/hutch has an upstairs and the boys use it so I think they will like the loft. But like you say c and c is so flexible I can always change it. These pigs have taken over our lives! But I wouldn’t have it any other way

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Today I’ve ordered the Ikea Kallax 5x1 unit which will be the base for the boys cage.

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Then the 5x2 c and c cage is on order, with some lovely fleeces from eBay. Will post more pics when I get things assembled! Can’t wait to see the boys in it!

 

[sport_billy]

Loving the idea of the kallax as a base! You going to keep all the stuff in it? Piggies need so much stuff don't they

Looking forward to seeing the boys finished cage, bet they will love it!

 

[Nadsgirl75]

That’s the idea... I haven’t bought the drawers yet but they will house all of the stuff that you accumulate for the piggies! I had no idea they needed so much stuff! I am so excited to get it done. I started with a small pet shop cage as I hadn’t really done my homework, then progressed to a Midwest but these boys are active and I want them to be happy and content so more space is required. Will make sure I put plenty of photos up of before, during and after!

 

[sport_billy]

That’s the idea... I haven’t bought the drawers yet but they will house all of the stuff that you accumulate for the piggies! I had no idea they needed so much stuff! I am so excited to get it done. I started with a small pet shop cage as I hadn’t really done my homework, then progressed to a Midwest but these boys are active and I want them to be happy and content so more space is required. Will make sure I put plenty of photos up of before, during and after!

Before during and after photos are really good. They are useful to direct others too when people ask questions on the forum so thanks! really helpful

Lucky piggies, we did the same.... it's all a learning curve and luckily when you have the space to do it you can do Ikea do some neat colourful cheap canvas draws

 

[Nadsgirl75]

It certainly is. To be honest when we got them they were so small, the cage was ok but not for long. Now they look like giants in their Midwest so hopefully in a few weeks we will have their penthouse apartment ready to go! Never thought I would end up being so attached to these little guys, just love them to pieces!

 

[sport_billy]

It certainly is. To be honest when we got them they were so small, the cage was ok but not for long. Now they look like giants in their Midwest so hopefully in a few weeks we will have their penthouse apartment ready to go! Never thought I would end up being so attached to these little guys, just love them to pieces!

Little Guineazillas! Yes as they grow they do look bigger in their cages

I had to be persuade to get our first piggies What a journey

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Ha! Then they take over your life and
House and bank account!

 

[Nadsgirl75]

So I ordered the kallax unit for the base of the cage but I hadn’t really thought it through properly. I’m not sure that it will provide enough support width wise, I think I may need another unit to make it wise enough to support the 2x5 cage. seems a bit of a waste to use another unit as I won’t use it for storage. Does anyone have any ideas how I can widen the unit?

 

[Tiamolly123]

Looks brilliant! I can’t wait until it arrives. My outside run/hutch has an upstairs and the boys use it so I think they will like the loft. But like you say c and c is so flexible I can always change it. These pigs have taken over our lives! But I wouldn’t have it any other way

Awwww now you are truly a piggy slave

 

[flowerfairy]

So I ordered the kallax unit for the base of the cage but I hadn’t really thought it through properly. I’m not sure that it will provide enough support width wise, I think I may need another unit to make it wise enough to support the 2x5 cage. seems a bit of a waste to use another unit as I won’t use it for storage. Does anyone have any ideas how I can widen the unit?

Could you get a table top from ikea or a piece of plywood from say b and q and put it onto the unit? I have my lot on ikea tables (wiebke's good idea) so you could get a table as their base and keep the unit for storage under that?

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Could you get a table top from ikea or a piece of plywood from say b and q and put it onto the unit? I have my lot on ikea tables (wiebke's good idea) so you could get a table as their base and keep the unit for storage under that?

Ah ok, so fix something the same length but wider so it will support width of 2x5? Yes I think that might work. I really want the storage underneath as I’m forever making trips to the shed for the endless items they require!

 

[Nadsgirl75]

So.... after a disappointing start (finding I could only fit in a 2x4) we now have a c and c set up and the pigs love it!

 

[Nadsgirl75]

View attachment 94753

 

[Merab]

Impressive - you have very lucky piggies

 

[Nadsgirl75]

Thanks! They absolutely love it... zoomies and popcorning all over. Donald has claimed the loft area! They’ve both mastered the ramp already and it’s so great to watch them enjoying themselves!