Lofts/Upper Levels - What to do? What to do?

[KimberleysWheekers]

I posted last night about my piggies new cages and said about the lofts that I was *ahem* supposed to have done by now rolleyes

Well! I finally got round to starting them this evening with a practice bit of correx.

I really want to be able to use the level bit that came with the cages. It is a really good size, but is a wire mesh type thing so needs to be covered, and the ramp is too short therefore making it too steep for piggies. My idea is to have all the food bowls, water bottle and hay rack on the mezzanine floor, and then another bottle on the ground floor too, as a back up. Then the beds/igloo etc will be on the ground floor with space to play.

So! This is what I have come up with so far - excuse the mess, had to quickly put in whilst the piggles were in a carry case to have a looksee at how it was coming along.

I have bought smaller inco pads especially for the lofts, one almost covers the main area to the right of the ramp (or left of the ramp in the last picture), then I have kitten litter trays to make up the shortfall.

I want to cover the floor in fleece somehow. I don't know how. Any ideas? I didn't know whether to make an insert of correx to fit in that the fleece is wrapped around then placed on top of the tray? Hmmm. The ramp will need to be covered with something for grip and I will need to figure out sides for safety.

Eventually, I want to get white correx to make these, but I have a sheet of black already so, for now, this will do. It's a full sheet too so although I would rather not make mistakes, it shouldn't be a problem. The bit in the pictures is the left over from the correx used for the C&C I used to have set up.

 

[skrikopanik]

It looks amazingly professional! Did you make that yourself?!

Depending on the clumsiness-level of your pigs you might want to add a "bannister" on the side of the ramp opening

 

[skrikopanik]

Aww, I just read the actual metal bit came with the cage . It doesn't in Sweden. I LOVE it and think you've done a really good job with the correx!

You may find that hay will fall down the front. It it bothers you, get some thin-nish transparent plastic (about 1mm or so, from some DIY-store) and put that as a front. It bends to fit your fancy balcony

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

It looks amazingly professional! Did you make that yourself?!

Depending on the clumsiness-level of your pigs you might want to add a "bannister" on the side of the ramp opening

Hehe I'll take credit I don't mind!

Aww, I just read the actual metal bit came with the cage . It doesn't in Sweden. I LOVE it and think you've done a really good job with the correx!

You may find that hay will fall down the front. It it bothers you, get some thin-nish transparent plastic (about 1mm or so, from some DIY-store) and put that as a front. It bends to fit your fancy balcony

Oooo that is a good idea! I don't mind so much as they get it everywhere at the moment so I'm expecting that they will still drag it down. Hadn't thought of clear plastic though!

I've got the C&C panels still, which are grey, so I didn't know whether to try to bend them to make the ramp with sides.

 

[Lisajazz]

Hiya!

Eva's sleeping so I just quickly took these for you. I hope they help

Here's the loft

Cy put a strip of correx across the front and it's attached underneath by strips of correx and glue. We have used a gluegun to do ALL the sticking and it's been brilliant! It seals gaps and holds bit's in ways tape can't.

Okay have a look at the front - the opening was too small to have a ramp at the right elevation for them to go safely up and down so we cut off some of the metal and discarded the wire ramp provided - that can't right off.

Have a look at these 2

Hope they help you finish - what you have done already is brilliant! Also - not saying do it like this - it's just incase it gives you a eureka moment on how to finish it yourself.

 

[Lisajazz]

GRRRR that bottom pic is so annoying as it's not rotated like ti should. Hope you can still see!

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Lisa, you are a super star! Thank you I'm going to have another play with the correx later.

Hope that Eva gets better soon, sending lots of love your way xx

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Ooo I've just noticed as well that you have put yours a lot higher up the cage. I was thinking of doing that but couldn't think how to get the ramp up there. What did you cut the balcony/floor bit with?

p

 

[paulag]

This thread made me go out and get my cage (or at least the lid) in from the garage as I realised what the extra bit is - it's the upper level!

It's a Trixie Rabbit 150 and I bought it because it seems to be the only commercial cage on the marke that is comparible in size to a 4 x 2 C&C run! Hadn't quite realised just how huge the thing is! 5 foot by 2 1/2 foot!

Paula

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Yep the Trixie 150s are hugggge! I had the Trixie 120 initially but events happened that resulted in babies and now I have the two 150s for my 6 piggies. Just want to get the loft space sorted so that they have even more areas to play in I like that the loft bit is 1/3 of the cage, very roomy!

 

[Lisajazz]

Cy used a rotary tool to cut the metal, caused lots of sparks but did a very neat job.

The correx ramp is attached with cable ties and lined with vet bed that is stuck down with 3m sticky velcro so it can come off and be washed.

 

[paulag]

I've just managed to get it together properly - it's a bit of a game getting it to click together. I will probably leave the upper level out to start off with and create a lining box and longer ramp for it before putting it in.

All I need now is some guinea pigs!

Paula

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

I've just managed to get it together properly - it's a bit of a game getting it to click together. I will probably leave the upper level out to start off with and create a lining box and longer ramp for it before putting it in.

All I need now is some guinea pigs!

Paula

Ooooo exciting! When do you plan on getting them?

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Hope they help you finish - what you have done already is brilliant! Also - not saying do it like this - it's just incase it gives you a eureka moment on how to finish it yourself.

I do believe you have given me my eureka moment! xx>>>:<>xx>>>

So... Here's the plan... Let me know what you think as I'm not going to be able to do it today so it is just a plan at the mo...

I'll cut off the current ramp that came with it and all of the first three hooped bits of the balcony on the left hand side, so it starts from the forth hooped bit. I'll attached a grid C&C panel with cable tie things to the underneath of the level so that it is flush with the left hand side and the front (at the furthest forward point) to make the floor level square at the opening of the balcony (so it'll stick out a bit further than the curve). The gap that will have been cut out will be 4 squares of a C&C grid wide. Then I can bend more panels for the ramp, so that the floor bit is 4 squares wide with little barriers on either side. Attach these together, cover the whole lot with correx then fleece or vetbed or something And Voilà!

So rather than them going up through the floor, they'll go up to the edge of the loft, and the C&C panel that I'll attach underneath will give support to the hole that is currently in the level where they should be coming up through.

Did that make any sense? ?/ Hope so. I can see it in my head and I'm excited!
:laluot_18:

 

[paulag]

Ooooo exciting! When do you plan on getting them?

I'm kinda hoping that I can have Priscilla and Amber who are moving to Vicky (who fosters for the Walsall RSPCA) this weekend I think. But I need to get home checked and they need to be ok to be adopted first so it may take some time.

Paula

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

I'm kinda hoping that I can have Priscilla and Amber who are moving to Vicky (who fosters for the Walsall RSPCA) this weekend I think. But I need to get home checked and they need to be ok to be adopted first so it may take some time.

Paula

Oooo! I'm sure once they are booked in with Vicky they can be reserved pending home check. With the Trixie 150 I can't see you having a problem passing the home check. My first two came from a pet shop (hence the sexing mis-hap and all the babies!) so I'm not sure exactly what happens at the home check but so long as you know everything the rescue require beforehand it should go fine. This cage is bigger than the min. required by most places I believe.

 

[Mackers]

I didn't use the wire hay loft that came with the cage (although I've kept it just incase I change my mind in the future). I made mine from plywood and it's sat on the third bar up from the plastic base. However, once you factor in the depth of the plywood and runners, it's effectively sat at about the fourth bar level. This gives plenty of headroom underneath and plenty up top too. I also set the ramp about 6 inches in from the side of the cage so that the piggies could run all the way around it and do 'laps' should they wish. The ramp is also made of plywood with correx sides and vetbed to give grip.

 

[CandyFloss]

Hi,
I would like to attach correx to the sides of my wood ramps - how did you attach it ?
I was thinking about using screws with big washers, L shaped angles or glue but am probably missing the obvious answer here..rolleyes.. staples ?
Any ideas most welcome

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Hi,
I would like to attach correx to the sides of my wood ramps - how did you attach it ?
I was thinking about using screws with big washers, L shaped angles or glue but am probably missing the obvious answer here..rolleyes.. staples ?
Any ideas most welcome

How thick is the correx? Would staple get through?

Does your ramp already have wooden sides and you want to cover in correx or is it a wooden ramp with no sides that you want to put correx on? (just trying to get a picture in my head! )

If the wood is thick enough, maybe screw it? Rather than staples?

 

[CandyFloss]

How thick is the correx? Would staple get through?

Does your ramp already have wooden sides and you want to cover in correx or is it a wooden ramp with no sides that you want to put correx on? (just trying to get a picture in my head! )

If the wood is thick enough, maybe screw it? Rather than staples?

I'm not sure a staple would really be secure enough. The correx is a few mm thick and my staple gun is pretty rubbish to be honest.

My ramp at the moment is wooden with no sides. I had originally thought screwing sides on - maybe with big washers to stop the screws chewing through the correx would do. The read someone used glue but would be worried they might chew it..... Or I could make the sides out of something else? ?/

 

[flintstones]

Invisible duck tape... I stuck all my correx together using it ! x

 

[CandyFloss]

Cool thanks - I'll give that a try

 

[Mackers]

I'm not sure a staple would really be secure enough. The correx is a few mm thick and my staple gun is pretty rubbish to be honest.

My ramp at the moment is wooden with no sides. I had originally thought screwing sides on - maybe with big washers to stop the screws chewing through the correx would do. The read someone used glue but would be worried they might chew it..... Or I could make the sides out of something else? ?/

I used staples to attach the correx to the ramp. Just a regular manual staple gun from B&Q and (I think) either 8mm or 12mm staples. My correx is 4mm thick. Used a hammer to bash the staples in good and proper after stapling though. They've stayed completely firm and seem to be doing a good job. Used duck/gaffer tape to make the correx box for the hay loft. Only used staples for the ramp.

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

Ramps are made! Balcony has been cut! Extra panel (underneath the new level for support) is fitted!

Just need to cut the correx and we are good to go! |)

 

[Lisajazz]

Well done you! Can't wait to see what you do.

 

[Mackers]

hurry up with the pictures

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

hurry up with the pictures

I'm a little tipsy, you may have to wait until tomorrow! Haha! rolleyes

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

All Done! Now that only took me who knows how many weeks hehe!

Here we go! Excuse the mess, I haven't hoovered yet!



This is Sasha, Mabelle and Penelope's new pad;

And here is Audrey, Seymour and Mr Mushnik's new pad;

Both pretty much the same except for the hay racks. I was going to use the plastic ones that came with the cage, that clip to the outside, but I thought all the hay would just drop to the floor because of the gap between the rack and the correx tray, so I've stuck with how I had it before. Will need to decide on this another day.

Once again, photobucket is as slow as a snail.

 

[flips]

Looks fab. Well done. Bet the piggies are happy. x

 

[Lisajazz]

YAY You're done!

It looks soooooo good. You have done a brilliant job and they look so happy. How's everyone managing the ramps?