Not happy with my cage

Status
Not open for further replies.
Hoggle*&*Ludo

Hoggle*&*Ludo

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 9, 2009
Messages
3,089
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Preston, Lancashire
I know piggies aren't the tidiest of animals but I am soooooooo sick of the hay/fleece combination - I am sick of the fleece being too big for the cage and poo getting in the creases/down the sides etc, even when I fold it over. :(

It gets covered in wee then the hay decides to go all over it and it is 10 times harder to get off. :0

The hay rack does my head in, everytime I fill it, it goes all over the carpet. :(

I just needed a moan, I know I am not the only one with this problem. I just want the cage to look nice. :(
 
Is your fleece big enough so you could trap it beween your cage bottom and top? Alternatively, could you velcro it to the sides? I fold my fleece, so it is a bit higher towards the edges. That does the trick for me most of the time.

I am not using a hay rack, for exactly those reasons, just a hay tray. One side is for peeing, the other for munching. Because of the higher sides, they can't carry the hay everywhere.
 
Oh dear, naughty piggies making a mess. I've only just started with fleece so I'm sure I'm going to have days like yours. If you put a picture up of the offending mess/ cage perhaps we can offer some ideas that will help. :)
 
I will take a picture of the offending area when I get home! :(|)

I have been considering doing a second floor, I am able to get offcuts of correx from my BF from work then I can use that floor for hay, bet the little buggers manage to throw it downstairs again! :(|)

I suppose for now I could tuck the fleece in between the cage and see how that helps. I just need some new fleece too, that isn't helping because they are going manky! :0
 
I sympathise as they are awful messy - within a half an hour of doing the cage it's a mess again!

An upstairs will definitely help. Also a small offcut of correx behing the hay rack works as it stops alot of it from falling on the carpet.
 
Hope you manage to sort the cage. I trap my fleece between the base and the bars too and find that works really well. Nothing can get down the sides and everything stays where it should :)

As for hay everywhere - I feel your pain! My girls don't have a rack, but they do have a corner litter tray filled which Willow loves to dive in (so sending hay halfway accross the cage! rolleyes ) They have a willow basket 'upstairs' with hay too which they also manage to spread pretty much everywhere rolleyes. I've even tried those little mini bales and hay cakes to try to minimise mess up there but they were 100% worse! :))

Good luck :)
 
I keep saying I will add another floor but BF always forgets to get the offcuts! rolleyes

Just one question - the 'correx' I am talking about is not actually what I have seen on here, it is shiny, solid plastic what they use for signage, is that safe? It is the same thickness as far as I am aware. How would I safely stick it together?

What does your correx feel like? Is it more flexible?
 
I have used correx for signage. It's quite stiff; you have to cut partially through it with a stanley knife in order to bend it. Best cut from the underside and mark any cross grain cuts. I have used duct tape to hold it together. Do not cut the entrance by the ramp too low, or you will have the old problem again!

If you are worried about messed being carried around the cage, have you considered gpeiw's solution using perspex with a hole cut through for the hay loft?
 
IMG_4928_edited-1.jpg


It looks a bit messy with the fleece hanging out, but does the trick and it is very easy to do!
 
I can't picture the perspex thing...

I have seen an idea on here, where you put plywood as a base and the correx on top. I was thinking of having high sides to stop the hay falling as I will still be able to see them above the cage.

I love that fleece by the way, it is cuuuuuute! Where is it from? :)

My BF is measuring up tonight! :<>
 
I have done all my measurements now, just want to run them by you if that is ok. :)

My BF doesn't really know how to get the stiff plastic together as a box, any ideas? His isn't the flexible corrogated stuff.

Anyway, the base will be 54.5cm x 46cm with sides at 15cm height. The ramp will be 40cm long with again 15cm sides. I was going to have the ramp right up to the side of the rather than in the middle, would this work?

Does this sound ok? I am working off the picture Mackers has previously put on (hope you don't mind!) ;)
 
What kind of plastic do you mean? Like the stuff the "Beware of the Dog" signs are made from? You could just cut strips and tape them altogether (on the outside to prevent chewing!) if is isn't bendy at all.

Mackers has done a great job with the loft! It's a good one to copy ;)

Your plan sounds good to me!
 
Thank you!

It is thicker, more like perspex but coloured. It is flexible but not enough to bend, we would have to find a glue somewhere that is safe. It is all too complicated for me! @)
 
Thanks!

Will tape be strong enough? I have asked for the thinnest plastic available which is 3mm, they have loads of scrap so I am going to scavenge! :<>

I finally collected my baby gate from my mums BTW, thank you! :(|)
 
Tape should be fine, I taped the corrugated correx with no problem. I'd just make sure it is on the outside and isn't too close to the top of the tray you make (incase the piggies nibble it down a bit).
 
I tuck the fleece down the sides like this

DSC00832.jpg


I clip it with bulldogs as well, no burrowing and no rogue poops!
 
Got some fleece beds made for mine and they hated them. So - filled the top floor with hay and they love it! They go mental when i re-fill it and now I'll often find all four of them just basking in it. Downstairs is just Megazorb.

I'll probably end up flogging the fleece beds. :))
 
Ooh I like the bulldog clip idea. :)

I SHOULD be getting my lay loft tonight, fingers crossed, my BF's friend is making it for me, but it is made of wood with a hinged ramp - sounds really good, just hope it fits! :o
 
NNNNNNNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHTTTTTTTTTMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEE! :0:0

They are out on the road all day so I won't get it today! :0

I have kindly asked them to go into work (on their day off ;) ) tomorrow to finish it! Really hope it is worth the wait! :...
 
azura_maemi said:
Haha took me ages to read what that said, doh rolleyes Patient!
Click to expand...

LOL, I was stressed, sorry! :red

They are going in work tomorrow especially to finish it. If you like what you see, I will tell him to start a business, he has a little baby now so I am sure the money will be welcome! :(|)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top