Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

[Piggiefordayssss]

A 4x2 is big enough for two piggies only.
It is 12 grids to make the cage itself.
To make the lid, the way I know how to do it, you will need three grids overlapped per side grid, so 12 grids in total to make the roof. 24 grids in total

You may also need a support bar of some sort to go from front to back of the cage to support the middle of the lid when it is closed. It’s just going to depend how you make it
Mine came as a complete kit from a cage company so I just followed the instructions!

Ok, thanks

 

[Piggiefordayssss]

Search for storage grids on amazon. Or c&c grids on amazon/eBay. Make sure they’re 9 holes in the grids. A 2x4 needs 12 grids then 8 grids for the lid without overlapping grids. There’s lots of threads on where to get them.

Thank you!

 

[Guineaconvert]

I used the Amazon basics cube storage grids how many you needs depends on whether you want a base or lid. Good luck, I had so much fun making it! Cable ties really useful for strengthening it

 

[Freya1234]

Thought I would add my cage on here as it’s FINALLY finished...

My pigs live in a 3x3 with and added 1x2 on the side making up a sort of L shaped C&C cage (It uses the equivalent number of grids as a 2x5 C&C would)
I have two boars that live in it together
They are now on fleece bedding however I only recently upgraded to it but have had nothing but positive experiences with it so far (I ordered mine from piggies in blankets on etsy - she was very helpful and provides lots of custom fleece items)
My C&C cage all came from amazon using amazon basics storage cubes and then coroplast off of amazon which I taped together using duck tape (all coming to roughly £50 - so MUCH cheaper than a hutch would be). I followed the instructions on the guinea piggles website for building the cage and found that very helpful.
Overall I would recommend a C&C cage as it is very adaptable and provides the piggies with lots of space, it also helps me to see them and interact with them easier as there is no lid (obviously if you have cats or dogs you would want a lid)
I have found cleaning out very easy though I would say that you probably wouldn’t want to go any wider than 3 grids as I find that it is a bit harder to lean over when cleaning on the section that is 3 wide.

 

[adussiaQ]

What is it and how much did it cost?
Here is my new C&C cage! It’s star-themed.
the cage itself cost me about £80 to make, the accessories (including material to make the liners and cozies) were about £200 total.

Who lives there?
On the right side of the cage live 2 boars. It’s a 3x3.
On the left lives one boar. It’s a custom shape but is equal to a 2x4.

Description:
Both cages have a kitchen area which I made using cat litter tray and cutting out a little enterance. The hides and tunnel were on amazon and the cozies I made myself.

the colour theme changes every time I do a deep clean so this week the liners are blue and accessories are pink, next week the liners will be pink and accessories will be blue.

The cage is decorated with some gold stars and fairy lights in the shape of stars. There’s curtains around the cage which help me keep my skinnies warmer in the winter and also helps to finish the look.

Where is it?
The cage is placed under a sturdy bunk bed to save space while giving them the biggest cage that fits in the room!

How easy is it to clean?
I chose to make many smaller liners rather than one big one, which means daily cleaning takes me about 5 mins as it’s just shaking all poops onto one liner and then shaking that off into the bin then changing the litter box.
Deep clean takes about 15-20 minutes and I do it every 5 days. The cage is big enough for me to get inside and clean every bit of the cage throughly.

 

[Mye_B]

Thought I would add my cage on here as it’s FINALLY finished...

My pigs live in a 3x3 with and added 1x2 on the side making up a sort of L shaped C&C cage (It uses the equivalent number of grids as a 2x5 C&C would)
I have two boars that live in it together
They are now on fleece bedding however I only recently upgraded to it but have had nothing but positive experiences with it so far (I ordered mine from piggies in blankets on etsy - she was very helpful and provides lots of custom fleece items)
My C&C cage all came from amazon using amazon basics storage cubes and then coroplast off of amazon which I taped together using duck tape (all coming to roughly £50 - so MUCH cheaper than a hutch would be). I followed the instructions on the guinea piggles website for building the cage and found that very helpful.
Overall I would recommend a C&C cage as it is very adaptable and provides the piggies with lots of space, it also helps me to see them and interact with them easier as there is no lid (obviously if you have cats or dogs you would want a lid)
I have found cleaning out very easy though I would say that you probably wouldn’t want to go any wider than 3 grids as I find that it is a bit harder to lean over when cleaning on the section that is 3 wide.

This looks awesome! My teen boars have started fighting Do you think something like this would be ample enough for my boys or should I definitely put a barrier in between? My issue is having enough space for them to get plenty of exercise although they do have lawn time and a play pen.

 

[Siikibam]

This looks awesome! My teen boars have started fighting Do you think something like this would be ample enough for my boys or should I definitely put a barrier in between? My issue is having enough space for them to get plenty of exercise although they do have lawn time and a play pen.

You need to keep them separate now from the way they have fought. You won’t really get advise on this thread. Minimum for one piggy is 120x60cm or a 2x4 c&c. If you check your thread I replied there with a configuration if your space is awkward.

 

[Wiebke]

This looks awesome! My teen boars have started fighting Do you think something like this would be ample enough for my boys or should I definitely put a barrier in between? My issue is having enough space for them to get plenty of exercise although they do have lawn time and a play pen.

Please ask for advice in your other threads. This is just for showing off C&C member cages to help if you are looking for ideas or for more creative solutions with C&C cages.

 

[Siikibam]

Had a good look through this thread, some fab c&c set ups! I’m new to all this. Looking to order some grids from Amazon. Just wondered generally what people use for bases? My boys were in a cage together until recently so that had a base. Have had to move some stuff around as don’t have a lot of space where they currently are (we have enough space currently for 2x4) and hubby doesn’t want them in the living room, which is fair enough as we also have a 3yo whose stuff takes up a lot of space! In the cage I layered with cardboard and had sawdust on top. I’m considering using the fleece liners but concerned that might involve a lot of washing as they wee pretty much throughout the cage, although I’ve noticed they’ve peed more in specific places.

Also, I’ll need to put a grid down the middle so the boys are kept apart. Is this relatively easy enough to do? I’ve been doing a lot of research but it’s pretty overwhelming when you’re new to owning piggies. Thanks.
M

Please can you keep your questions to your other thread, or start another in the housing section. This is for photos of setups and not questions. I’ll answer but do put further questions elsewhere.

In terms of size, singles really need 2x4 at minimum. A split 2x4 (2x2) is not enough space for them each. It’s easy to split the cage, just cable tie some grids in the middle with connectors for added stability. Is there anywhere else you could keep them that has more room? Could you perhaps jig things round so your child’s things are where the cage currently is?

As for the base, you can buy 4mm correx on eBay or in sign shops. Or you can buy proplex from wickes. It’s 2mm but I have that in my boys’ cage. It’s been in there about 2 years or so and is still okay if a little chewed in some places.

When you say sawdust don’t you mean woodshavings? Bedding depends on what works for you. I started with shavings, then fleece. Didn’t get on with it so went back to shavings again. Then aubiose which I absolutely loved, but reacted to. Then back to fleece which I use now as well as bath maths.

Any further questions do start a new thread. I’m also going to ask for your post and mine to be moved elsewhere.

 

[curlykrish]

Hello, this is my C&c cage for my two boars. I have made a base where I can put useful bits and then 2 x 5 for main hosing. It’s lined with correx. At one end I bought a really large grow tray which I have put in hemp bedding with hay for then to play in, hide in and eat. This side is covered with a fleece curtain to provide extra darkness for them. In the rest I have used fleece liners for the base. In the middle I have two boxes with cut outs and under that a home made fleece pad (made with baby mat with fleece liner on top). At the far end are two fleece houses. So the boys have space to run from end to end.. although I may extend when they are a little bigger as flat run space is only 2 x4. Cost.. probabally around £300 including all the accessories.

 

[DougalandDiego]

Thought I would finally add pictures of my c and c for my separated boar pair.

Both boys have a mixture of bath mats and fleece liners for bedding. I change out the tunnels and hideys for fleece tunnels when I change their fleece to wash. I do a full cage clean every four days but swap out the bath mats every couple of days if needed so it’s pretty easy to keep clean and I sweep them out twice a day.

 

[Skullblits]

My 3 girls cage. Trying new things out with the fleece blankets

 

[T-Rex]

Here is my homemade cage. The equivalent of 8x2.5 C&C grid size.

It looks a bit bare because currently there’s just one piggy living in it following a death. And current piggy never goes up the ramp, so I haven’t put anything up there! But he likes to lay under the ramp!
I make my own fleece liners because it would be far to expensive to get them made as they are so big. I have made some of my own cosy items too. But most I buy.
I do love my cage. A lot of love went into it. It was half the size originally and my grandad (sadly now passed away) helped us. Them me and my husband worked hard to extend it at a later date.

 

[Tara95]

So here is my new cage design, I'm really pleased as I purchased the grids from Amazon for £35 and managed to create 2 spacious cages in order to separate the male from the females.(whom Previously had managed to jump over old cage and then into the females cage. I have also attached spare panels going all the way across the top to stop him jumping in untill he's nuteured (I have attached a copy of the cage I purchased)

. As you can see the flowery pretty polar fleeces I purchased for £2.99 each from my local garden centre the cherry tree barn. Polar fleeces are really good for bedding and I have just put puppy pads underneath) I used three fleeces to cover the whole cage and just overlapped the extra material. I also put a different fleece over the top to create a sort of tent/hidey which they all love.
While I'm on the topic of the barn, I've recently discovered their favourite hay which they go absolutely mad for (more than anything else I've known! All of them zooming round the whole cage squeaking) I think it's called I unchopped meadow hay and it looks slightly looser than the other makes and it's £1.50! And it's a decent size bag!
As you can see they have numerous hideys. If I had to recommend one I would recommend the long waterproof tunnels (rosewood activity tunnel for guinea pigs, not the rabbit one and it is 90cm long and was about £7) mine tend to run through these constantly and if you take the long tunnel out they don't tend to exercise much. They also have a hole in the middle as well which is handy for multiple guinea pigs. They don't tend to eat it, I just tried to cut it in half (which I would not recommend doing!) I'd recommend cleaning it every 3 days though something I tend to put off! You can also attach multiple tunnels together and the blue tent in the photo also attaches to these.

They love all their fleece items too but if I had to recommend a second item I would choose the hard straw/hay tunnel. It has multiple exits and the guinea pigs are ALWAYS nawing their teeth on it which I think really helps them. This was £4.99 from wilkos.

I'd say the other favourite is the upside down basket which was purchased from pets at home and also came with a cushion they love to sit on top of this while one of them sits underneath it's so funny to watch!
The guinea pig castle is great too as it has multiple exits and all 4 sows can fit in there comfortably (atm) this was I think £22 off etsy and eBay.

As you can see the main part of the cage is for four sows and the smaller section is for a single boar. Altogether the cage is 5 x 6 grids (210cm x 175cm) but of course 4 x5 currently for the sows and 2x5 for the single boar. As you can see I had some spare grids left over so I made my own hay rack, (the triangular grid is much better practically!) The pigs love this and it helps keep the cage tidy!
would definitely recommend this cage!

 

[Merab]

I have a C&C cage bought from C&C Cages.
I’ve created an L shape which is 5x2 on the long side with a 3x2 extension.
I use wood shavings as a base.
It’s easy to clean with the added advantage of being a pretty good workout to do a deep clean.
It was built for 4 piggies but now houses 3 - one of whom is a very lively boar.

 

[Sezzy16]

@Cherryblossom09 where did you get the clear plexiglass cubes? I love them and would prefer them for the front of my enclosure my enclosure

 

[Sezzy16]

View attachment 133016

Songmics, C and C cage, 6 by 2 grids. With acrylic in front.

Where did you get the house and acrylic grids? I know at least 2 of my boys would love the house and I'd much prefer the see through acrylic. Love the storage underneath as well but mine is on a chest of drawers

 

[Sezzy16]

I love this thread and I've picked up some great ideas like square guttering with cut up carpet squares velcroed on for grip (easy to change when needed) and I'm looking into washable puppy pads and/or fleece liners (whichever works cheaper for a large-ish enclosure of differing size sectioned in half!) and adding cafe areas in litter/storage boxes for easier clean up.
I'll add my enclosures once I've got it mostly how I want it.

A quick question....I have an IKEA ottoman double bed, if my 2 young boars, Caroline and Bonnie (my daughter has a thing for The Vampire Diaries and had already used all the good boys names with the rats and hamster so went with the girls names ) decide not to get along (lots of rumblestrutting and chasing each other over the last week but that could be because they are now live in the enclosure attached with my older neutered boar, adult but age unknown, Nicklaus and his new, 2 year old, wife Hayley) would it be possible to cut holes in the bottom and put mesh over the holes with corraplast to protect the floor for them? (I would leave the bed in the up position thro the day for daylight and have the led lights for the early nights in winter) just thinking about how I can use my space as my GS puupy is in the living room, kitten in my daughter's room, my sons room is just too small and my bunny is in a playpen in my bedroom so...

 

[DougalandDiego]

@Sezzy16 ive seen before that members are asked to not ask questions on this but to start a thread of their own. Just a quick one though - your boys will be showing a lot of dominance if they’re in a cage attached to your girl. Ideally they shouldn’t be kept in the same room. Start a new thread - there are lots of brilliant members on here that can offer you more thorough advice on a new one

 

[Eddie & Elvis]

Hi, if you start your own separate thread, you will get relevant answers much more quickly and this one won't get clogged up

Edit: @DougalandDiego you beat me to it

 

[Sezzy16]

@DougalandDiego and @Eddie & Elvis I'm just doing that now....still trying to understand how the forum works!
Thank you guys

 

[Eddie & Elvis]

That's alright to the forum

 

[Mvegbarnes]

I absolutely love the mushroom hideouts!

 

[rp1993]

We have built the boys a new cage on some new cupboards! It was a lot of work but worth it!

 

[SquiglyPiggy]

This is our 2x4 C&C cage with a cage stand and porch patio. We first had a 2x3 C&C cage but decided it was too small for our piggies since they get up in each other’s faces sometimes, so we used the playpen (which are just the grids from the cage) to expand the cage to a 2x4. We decided to not spend 70 dollars on bins for under the cage, so we just used the ones we had at home.

These were purchased from Guinea Pig Cage Store, with a transparent chloroplast base and black grids.

We have our two male piggies, Pumpkin and Peanut living comfortably in this cage! We constantly change the layout of the cage, we usually alternate each week with leaving the loft in and taking it out to give them more space sometimes.

Definitely recommend this cage! It’s super easy to clean (although that has to do with the liners), and easy to put together and expand. The liner for the loft is from Guinea Pig Market (Guinea Pig Cage Stores sister store) because of the specific layout. I have to say these don’t absorb as well as the GuineaDad liners we have for the base of the cage. We spot clean daily with a hand vac which works great for the poop! Every week we spray the base with vinegar water mixture for smell and hygiene.

Sadly, it won’t let me upload a photo at this time but I’ll try again soon!

 

[Siikibam]

This is our 2x4 C&C cage with a cage stand and porch patio. We first had a 2x3 C&C cage but decided it was too small for our piggies since they get up in each other’s faces sometimes, so we used the playpen (which are just the grids from the cage) to expand the cage to a 2x4. We decided to not spend 70 dollars on bins for under the cage, so we just used the ones we had at home.

These were purchased from Guinea Pig Cage Store, with a transparent chloroplast base and black grids.

We have our two male piggies, Pumpkin and Peanut living comfortably in this cage! We constantly change the layout of the cage, we usually alternate each week with leaving the loft in and taking it out to give them more space sometimes.

Definitely recommend this cage! It’s super easy to clean (although that has to do with the liners), and easy to put together and expand. The liner for the loft is from Guinea Pig Market (Guinea Pig Cage Stores sister store) because of the specific layout. I have to say these don’t absorb as well as the GuineaDad liners we have for the base of the cage. We spot clean daily with a hand vac which works great for the poop! Every week we spray the base with vinegar water mixture for smell and hygiene.

Sadly, it won’t let me upload a photo at this time but I’ll try again soon!

Well done on giving them more space. But unfortunately that is still below what’s recommended for boars. Can you expand to 2x5? Look forward to photos. Use the ‘Attach files’ button below the text box b

 

[SquiglyPiggy]

We are trying to see if we can expand to a 2x5 at the moment actually, it’s just the space we put it in is the only space we can have it in and it doesn’t fit. We would have to rearrange my whole room for it, but we’re still looking at options.

 

[SquiglyPiggy]

Photos attached below (with pumpkin photo bombing almost all of them lol)

 

[Siikibam]

Photos attached below (with pumpkin photo bombing almost all of them lol)

Add in a lot more hay as well. A bowlful ain’t enough

 

[SquiglyPiggy]

Ik lol I was in the middle of cleaning (and restocking) the cage