Piggies don’t like their c&c cage?

[Missmoomin]

Hi,
Has anyone ever found that their piggies just don’t like the extra space?

I have 2 pigs, they’re sisters and get on great. I used to have a 120 ferplast cage which they were perfectly happy in. They'd popcorn about etc, get excited for their food etc. All was good.

but then I started seeing lots about c&c cages and thought how amazing it’d be to give them more space to hop about in.

so I got a 2x4 cage with a 2x2 loft space giving them tons more room than they’d been used to. I put loads of toys and tunnels etc in for them, but in the few weeks they’ve been in it they hardly venture out from their main hidey hole, I’m yet to notice them popcorning, they outright refuse to venture upstairs, They barely even use the extra toys and hides I added, just stick to their main covered bed area.
I don’t know, they just don’t seem happy and I thought they would be. I’m now seriously considering putting them back in their old cage.
How long should it take for them to warm to a new cage? Should I give them longer?
they seem so unhappy now.

I made sure they had all their old toys etc in with them, and put across some of their old hay and sawdust to transition them, but nothing seems to have helped.

any suggestions?
If I do end up putting them back in their old cage how Is the best way to sell a c&c cage? In bits? Or as a whole with the correct grids and everything?

ive attached pictures of their old cage and new cage for comparison.

thank you

 

[YvonneBlue]

What a lovely new cage, your piggies are very lucky.

I would definitely give your them more time to get used to their new environment. It is a much bigger area that they have had previously and it will take them a while to get used to the extra space. My piggy Milo had been kept in small cage in the P@H adoption area for 4 months and it took some time for him to get used to his 4x2 C&C cage.

Ramps can be daunting if they haven't had one previously, I glued some rubber matting on mine as i found my piggies couldn't get a grip on it very well. You can also buy ramp covers on-line which make into sort of tube. I put some of their favourite snacks on it and eventually they got the idea but it did take several weeks before they were confidently using it. Also try putting a blanket or towel over the loft space then it isn't so open and your piggies will feel safer.

I'm sure other people will be along with suggestions but please don't put them back in the smaller cage.

 

[Siikibam]

I agree that they’re likely not used to their new space yet. Not all piggies like ramps or use them. The ramp does look a little steep so perhaps think about covering it somehow and lifting the end so it’s at a smaller angle. And adding something for grip as suggested above. Give them some time and they will enjoy it.

 

[Samuel&Griffis]

How nicely you have arranged! Ungrateful piggies haha! I agree with the comments above, I would possibly let them use the lower level only and introduce to the rap later.

 

[cashewandpeppa]

I had a 2x2 loft for my girls when they first got their C&C cage. They had the exact same set-up as your piggies have in these pictures, but they never used the ramp. My girls are simply not climbers. They don't jump onto high surfaces, don't climb, and I realized how scary the ramp must've seemed to them.

Instead, after a lot of creative cutting involved, I made the 2x2 loft into a flat 2x2 extension on the 4x2 cage - this created an L shape and, since the cage is in a corner, it looks amazing!

 

[cashewandpeppa]

Here's the 2x2 loft added onto the existing C&C cage! I just had to do some cuts to make sure the ground was fine for them. I used the side that had a ramp insert to go against the 4x2 Coroplast body.

 

[Alisa3114]

Try putting a blanket over the top so they don't feel so exposed while they get used to their new cage. I did that when I moved my girls from a 120 size cage into their C&C they were soon venturing out and having a good old nose about.

 

[Missmoomin]

Thank you for all your replies. I’ve decided to just remove the loft for now, let them get used to their bigger ground floor and perhaps reintroduce the lift at a later time.
I’d love to have been able to extend it in an L shape, but the room it’s in just doesn’t have the floor space to enable me to do that.
As it is it’s still bigger than the ferplast cage and now the loft is gone they’re already out in the space a little more so fingers crossed they’re just bungalow loving guineas!

pic attached of their new set up!

 

[Leafy Lou]

Hi there,
You have done well we started out with the ferplast, and went on to the grids, it can be a challenge arranging the space, hehe we have them in the small kitchen extension..we are going to do another overhaul as the correx needs replaced! Not as neat as your one..but we can still sit (just about) round the dinner table it is a 5x2 with an extra tiny goodness knows.. they are more in than out these days..and poor Henry hoover is doing a sterling job! hehe!

 

[VickiA]

What a lovely set up. Please don’t lose heart. I suspect it’s all just a bit too daunting for them. I agree completely with removing the loft and covering over part of the ground floor to help them become more acclimatised to the new space. As for ramps, you have done a lovely job with sides and all, but it is still quite steep and some piggies are just too scared to use a ramp. However, it may be worth trying it again once they are more comfortable in this big new space.

 

[Leafy Lou]

What a lovely set up. Please don’t lose heart. I suspect it’s all just a bit too daunting for them. I agree completely with removing the loft and covering over part of the ground floor to help them become more acclimatised to the new space. As for ramps, you have done a lovely job with sides and all, but it is still quite steep and some piggies are just too scared to use a ramp. However, it may be worth trying it again once they are more comfortable in this big new space.

Hehe I don't think I would put another loft up with Roz and Suzy..Roz was diving off of the loft last year..from the top of the ramp..Our younger ladies are too adventurous!

 

[Merab]

Mine took a while to settle into their C&C cage when I made the switch.
Be patient and it won’t be long before they feel safe again in a new cage.
Great setup you have for them

 

[YvonneBlue]

How are your piggies enjoying their cage now? Are they happier now it is all one level.