Newbie Cage Help Please

[Fluffy]

Hi

I'm new to piggies and not sure on cages. I know as much not to buy a tiny shop bought hutch, so am thinking of making a cage.

I found this website which I think looks quite reliable and am asking if the sizes are correct.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/

I have quite a lot of questions (sorry) and would be very grateful if people could take time to reply Here goes:

1: Are Guinea Pigs OK in my bedroom?

Unfortunately there is no space in the living room, and we have a cat. She is not allowed upstairs and never has been, and on the very rare occasion she makes a run for it, my door is always closed.
I have found a lot of contradicting info on the web (as you do) whether or not Guinea Pigs need to be in a quiet, or busy area of the house.
If they do live in my bedroom, I know I will spend as much time as possible up there with them.

2: I have a space of roughly 127 cm x 140 cm, is this big enough?

How many guinea pigs could this house and what would their floor time have to be?

3: Fleece or Fitch?

Supposing the floor is correx, what is the best bedding option? Fitch seems cosier, yet fleece sounds a lot cheaper.

How would fleece work? How often would you have to wash it and how would you do it?
Would I have to have a separate bedding area filled with something cosy?
Can piggies be litter trained like rabbits?

4: Home made cheap cages

I like the idea of a C&C cage very much, however the cost of the mesh cubes would total quite high. If I bought correx for the floor, what could I use for the sides? Is mesh (The same as used for a outdoor rabbit run) OK?
I saw a post in the handmade C&C cages thread where someone just stood up some wood. Would this be OK? <I'll see if I can link it>

5: Floor

I read somewhere that it isn't best to have the guinea pig cage on the floor as we would seem huge, and I was wondering how to make a safe stand for it. Any ideas?

Thank you for reading this x

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

I have some of my cages on a cheap Ikea table, but there are also lower stands, which would allow you to store piggy stuff underneath. Several of our members have got piggies in their bedroom, at least during the winter.

I would recommend not to go for bouncy babies if you value your sleep, but rather for some slightly more settled piggies of over 6 months old. Sows are generally a bit less noisy with the water bottle, too.

Your size constrictions will both accommodate a traditional 120x60cm cage since C&C grids are usually 35cm/14 in square, so a standard 2x4 grid cage for two guinea pigs will take up a minimum 70x140cm if you cable tie the grids together. There are now some British providers for C&C cages, too.
Three grids deep can pose problems with reach at cleaning time, depending on how high up your planned cage is.
A 3x4 grid cage would be OK is it was on the ground and it would allow up to 4 sows or three sows and a neutered boar; alternatively it would be plenty of space for a bonded boar pair.
Here is a British C&C cage provider: http://www.candcguineapigcages.co.uk/

If you want to consider a traditional cage with some storage underneath, I would recommend the ferplast cage from zooplus, as it is much more accessible with two front panels that lift up when on a stand. 2x4 ft is the minimal recommended RSPCA cage size for two guinea pigs, preferably two sows as boys can do with more space.
The ferplast is currently on action and as cheap as you can get one: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/hutches_cages/guinea_pig_cages/120_cm_cages/14083

We have also got several excellent guinea pig rescues in Yorkshire where you can rehome guaranteed healthy, not pregnant and well bonded pairs of various ages and both genders from, thus neatly avoiding all the usual pitfalls for unwary newbies! All cage sizes cited comply with the minimum requested by the rescues, so you shouldn't have any trouble at all with passing a home check.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

 

[Nicola_]

Hi, welcome to the forum

Will try and answer as many of your questions as I can.

1. I keep my guinea pigs in my bedroom, I live with my parents and so it would be unfair to force them to live with a cage in their living room that didn't want! I feel it works for me - I have a much bigger space in my room than anywhere else in the house and I like to hear them munching away on hay as I go to sleep - it reassures me that they're ok! As Wiebke says, noise may be an issue to consider - thankfully my boys were already 18mths old when I bought them and they're quiet wee things - having said that they still enjoy the occasional morning lap of the cage which can sometimes be an unwanted wake up call!

I wouldn't be too concerned about the cat if it is never in your room, I know lots of people who keep cats and guinea pigs in the same room provided they have a lid on their cage (I've even seen pics of cats sleeping on top of cages!) I personally plan to get a cat as soon as I have my own place but will be keeping it well away from my piggies as it'd be really difficult to put a lid on my cage.

2. I think Wiebke has covered this question well, I'd certainly echo her thoughts on ease of cleaning, really consider how realisitc the space is going to be to clean out for you (I thought I had but still have quite a few hard to reach places! You could maybe consider an L shape cage which would give it some extra room but also easier to clean.

3. Personally I use fitch. I live in the attic of a 4 storey building so shaking it out outside would be a major chore. Also I felt that the washing of the fleece would be putting the bedding costs onto my parents as they pay the bills for the electric and heating that it would use up, also they'd have to have it hanging up around the house! Finally I was also concerned about clogging up the machine too much.

Depending on the size of your cage a bag of fitch can go a long way, I have a silly sized cage so a bag of fitch only lasts me a couple of months - I do find that it doesn't need cleaning out as often though provided I do regular mini-cleanouts where I just change the worst bits. That could just be because my boys are quite set on which areas they like to pee in and the sheer size of my cage!

4. I'm sure I've heard of some people who use just correx by making the walls extra tall and therefore not needing anything else. However that would maybe require extra correx and wouldn't allow the option of loft areas. I think fashioning something out of wood and chicken wire could work but I wouldn't have the first idea where to begin - sorry!

If you're going for a simple 4x2 with loft and sitting on the floor without a lid you can build it from just one pack of grids and one large sheet of correx which when I built mine a few months ago would've come in at about £55-£60 which personally I think is better than shop bought as anything that price is far too small and the ones around the size of the c&c are at least twice the price.

5. I know lots of people who keep their pigs on the floor and it doesn't cause any problems and in fact they like to be able to go and sit in with them (if the cage is big enough and they're using fleece!). Personally I have built a stand from the grids for mine as I needed the storage space underneath it, I'm not sure of the cheapest option of a stand would be I think for a simple 4x2 design an ikea table would cost just as much as the extra grids would and would give extra storage space as it's higher than the grids.

Hope this helps, apologies if I've missed any questions feel free to ask me to elaborate further or to ask more questions

Good luck!

 

[Fluffy]

Thank you very much for your answers, I thought I might scare everyone away!
They really helped

I will definitely go for a rescue pair (or group) , after what happened there is no more going in P@H!
I was worried if the Piggies would be OK in a bedroom, so thanks for reassuring me.

I think I might have a look at fleece for half of the cage as fitch seems very expensive. I think I'll do a test run to see how long it lasts. Would you recommend getting the 10kg or 20kg bag?

I think finding the right sized table would be tricky, but I'll at least have a look. I don't really need the storage underneath it, just didn't want to seem so huge to the Piggies.


Thank you for the links Wiebke, I've had a look at them. In my opinion the shop cage looks very small for a permanent home! And for the same price I could make double the size one. But it's very helpful if I need a secure cage for some particular reason, and not worry my head off because it's too small!

Thank you for your thoughts on home made cages Nicola_, So wire is fine for them then? x

Fluffy x

 

[Nicola_]

I would say wire is ok as many hutches and runs are made with chicken wire, however I would be cautious of any sharp bits so finding a way of making sure the edges are all well away from piggies.

If I were you (this purely a personal preference though) I'd go for having it on the floor rather than faffing with trying to figure out a stand, provided your back can hold out enough to bend down to it all the time - particularly for cleaning.

With fitch I'd go for the 20kg as it's more cost effective but it's down to storage as it is quite big, I keep mine along with hay bale next to the cage in front of my bookcase as I don't mind having it on show and taking up that kind of space! Personally I can't praise it high enough and feel it's really quite cost effective when you compare it to other beddings. Although I guess that depends on the size of the cage and how many washes/how much heating you'd need to pay out if using fleece (for me it'd be a lot!) Also fleece needs changing a lot more often than fitch, and I'm just too lazy for that!

Good luck with it all, can't wait to hear what you decide and see pics of the set up and piggies when you get them!

 

[Fluffy]

Thank you again!

I'm glad wire mesh is OK because I can experiment with that.
I also think I'll have it on the floor then, I can sit with them easily enough. It's good someone else agrees with me!

Thank you for the tips on fitch, I think it's worth try. I don't mind if it has to be on show, the whole garden is already filled with Rabbit sheds and runs and hutches! (And my room Rabbit welfare posters!)

Will post pics when it's up
Fluffy x

 

[Bekki]

There is a rescue called Bunny Burrows in Richmond that isnt on the rescue locator and @Stewybus can vouch for them, just another place to get piggies plus RSPCA great ayton have guinea pigs right now too x

 

[Stewybus]

There is a rescue called Bunny Burrows in Richmond that isnt on the rescue locator and @Stewybus can vouch for them, just another place to get piggies plus RSPCA great ayton have guinea pigs right now too x

Yes, I can vouch for Bunny Burrows. They have a policy of neutering all their boars so you have a greater choice of pairings. A male female pairing is generally best & if you have more space later you can add more females to the group. They have a few males & lots of females at present. If you're nearer to Great Ayton as Beks mentioned, they also have some lovely piggies too. You can find both these rescues easily by googling them.

 

[madguinealady]

Mine are on the floor and don't bat an eyelid when I sit with them or when I give them veggies.I have sore joints and find it easier cleaning them out when sitting in the cage.I have litter trays at one end that I clean daily.it has shavings and hay in and they often sleep in them.The main part of the cage is fleece.If you cover where you want them to Pee and poop they will normally oblige (at last with the wee).I sweep up poo twice a day

 

[Poppy'sMum]

If you keep them in your bedroom don't use deodorant or air fresheners/perfume in the same room. I would also recommend you have a lid for the cage, or purchase a shop 140 cm cage which will house 2 piggies comfortably. Evn though you can keep your door shut if it were left open for a second the cat could get in to their cage

 

[flowerfairy]

My trio live in my bedroom on the floor with three sheets of correx as their flooring. They have two large litter trays (old indoor rabbit cage bottoms) with newspaper and hay inside. Their cage is puppy panels. The dogs are only allowed in very occasionally (with me there) and know they are now allowed to hassle them.

I love hearing their little noises at night x

 

[Fluffy]

Thank you everyone for replying, I now have lots of good ideas for my cage.

I'm so glad other people have guinea pigs on their bedroom floor! x
(I'm hoping I'll be able to 'adapt' tot he night noises)

Can I ask, if you have puppy panels/pen as the walls, did you have to buy one or two to get the right size?
Thanks x

 

[Fluffy]

If you keep them in your bedroom don't use deodorant or air fresheners/perfume in the same room. I would also recommend you have a lid for the cage, or purchase a shop 140 cm cage which will house 2 piggies comfortably. Evn though you can keep your door shut if it were left open for a second the cat could get in to their cage

I have thought a lot about this, but I really don't want to confine them to a pet shop cage, no matter how big is is.

I like the idea of a open topped cage, maybe a sheet over the top fastened to the wire (clothes pegs or something) would be a ok temporary lid?

She is an old cat and spends most of the day sleeping downstairs really. She is not allowed upstairs, and my door has no doorstop so always falls shut (and I always shut it anyway), but I will think about your point as I don't want there to be any risk. x

 

[Fluffy]

There is a rescue called Bunny Burrows in Richmond that isnt on the rescue locator and @Stewybus can vouch for them, just another place to get piggies plus RSPCA great ayton have guinea pigs right now too x

Very far away from Richmond but I have some relatives in Great Ayton, an hour and a quarter away frrm me. Is this too far when adopting/ transporting piggies? x

 

[Bekki]

Very far away from Richmond but I have some relatives in Great Ayton, an hour and a quarter away frrm me. Is this too far when adopting/ transporting piggies? x

Not at all :-) I live 30 mins away from middlesbrough (Redcar) and adopted from a rescue in north shields, and even stopped to do some food shopping on the way home and they were just fine many people travel much further. I would probably go to Bunny Burrows next as they're closer than North East Guinea Pig Rescue in North Shields I had even considered rehoming from Millhaven over Leeds way x

 

[madguinealady]

There is a thread on c&c cages and hutches on the forum somewhere and if you Google home made cages that will give you some ideas as well.Good luck and enjoy your future piggies

 

[Nicola_]

Personally it sounds like your room is fairly safe away from the cat, from my experience of having an old cat they're not so inclined to go adventuring as its all a bit too hard and tiring for them! Also if she's used to not being allowed up there then its unlikely she'll suddenly start venturing that way! What you could do just to be on the safe side is what i did when my cat was a young hunter - put a little latch lock on the door, it'd just give that extra piece of mind and you'll soon get in the habbit of locking it behind you (I still lock mine out of habbit!) The only thing i'd be concerned about is if you have family members who won't necessarily be supportive of the keeping your door closed and locked.

 

[klee]

I know alot of the questions have already been covered by other posters but I thought I would give my views.


1: Are Guinea Pigs OK in my bedroom?
I have a similar situation to you I still live with my parents, and my room is the only space big enough to have the pigs.
I have kept the pigs over winter in my bedroom for the past 2 years. Last year I had my four girls who were generally pretty quiet, although when one was in season they would be more noisy. I have used ear plugs last year for a while so I could sleep through without them waking me, initially even the smallest noise I would be aware of, but after a month or so I stopped wearing the earplugs and it was fine. I agree with what Wiebke says about bouncing baby pigs, I currently have my two 2year old girls living next to a nearly safe neutered boar who is about 5months, the girls are definitely alot quieter- Edward is popcorning all the time which is lovely but sometimes in the middle of the night it isn't so pleasant.
I found that covering the cage over with a fleece about an hour before going to bed would let them settle down and they are generally a little quieter, definitely invest in a pair of earplugs though

I love having the pigs in my room, I can go and sit on the floor with them and they are happy to come to the edge of the cage to say hello. It is also lovely to be able to watch them from my bed, when I am being really lazy

2: I have a space of roughly 127 cm x 140 cm, is this big enough?

That is a pretty big space about the same as a 3.5 x 4 C and C, and as Wiebke says could keep 4 pigs in a space that big. I have an L shaped C+C which is about the same size as 7x2. It is fairly easy to clean and I normally end up climbing into the cage to clean them out as it is so big.


5: Floor
I keep my pigs on the floor, and they aren't scared at all really, apart from any sudden movements. I like sitting next to them and they are happy to come over. As for floor time, I block off any hidey spaces and let them run round my room. As the girls are separate from Edward they like coming over to peer into his cage, and vice versa.

Hope this gives you a bit of an idea

 

[Fluffy]

I know alot of the questions have already been covered by other posters but I thought I would give my views.


1: Are Guinea Pigs OK in my bedroom?
I have a similar situation to you I still live with my parents, and my room is the only space big enough to have the pigs.
I have kept the pigs over winter in my bedroom for the past 2 years. Last year I had my four girls who were generally pretty quiet, although when one was in season they would be more noisy. I have used ear plugs last year for a while so I could sleep through without them waking me, initially even the smallest noise I would be aware of, but after a month or so I stopped wearing the earplugs and it was fine. I agree with what Wiebke says about bouncing baby pigs, I currently have my two 2year old girls living next to a nearly safe neutered boar who is about 5months, the girls are definitely alot quieter- Edward is popcorning all the time which is lovely but sometimes in the middle of the night it isn't so pleasant.
I found that covering the cage over with a fleece about an hour before going to bed would let them settle down and they are generally a little quieter, definitely invest in a pair of earplugs though

I love having the pigs in my room, I can go and sit on the floor with them and they are happy to come to the edge of the cage to say hello. It is also lovely to be able to watch them from my bed, when I am being really lazy

2: I have a space of roughly 127 cm x 140 cm, is this big enough?

That is a pretty big space about the same as a 3.5 x 4 C and C, and as Wiebke says could keep 4 pigs in a space that big. I have an L shaped C+C which is about the same size as 7x2. It is fairly easy to clean and I normally end up climbing into the cage to clean them out as it is so big.


5: Floor
I keep my pigs on the floor, and they aren't scared at all really, apart from any sudden movements. I like sitting next to them and they are happy to come over. As for floor time, I block off any hidey spaces and let them run round my room. As the girls are separate from Edward they like coming over to peer into his cage, and vice versa.

Hope this gives you a bit of an idea

Wow! This is great thanks It's good to hear from someone who is in the same situation x