Should I Extend On The Floor Or Go Up?

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LozzyBee

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I've ordered some more grids so I can extend the boys C&C cage. They're currently in a 5x2 but sometimes it just feels they don't have enough room. In addition to this, I get them out for floor time, but they prefer to run around in their cage than when they're in their floor time pen!

Initially I planned to still keep it on one level but am now toying with the idea of making it two levels. How well do they cope with ramps? My piggies, much as I love them, sometimes just don't quite seem 'with it' and I'm not sure how they'd cope with it.

I also personally don't like the idea of them having to climb up to get their hay (Barnaby's so lazy he'd probably just not bother), so I'm not sure what else I'd use upstairs for? :-/

Do you know what, maybe just ignore this whole post - I think I've answered my own question, but any thoughts still welcome!
 
If you can expand on the same floor I definetly would. My piggies in the past have had ramps and hayloft and did cope well except one who was terrified when put on a level. Even when I had a 3 storey cage, I had to keep her on the floor. I don't know if she didn't trust her footing, she lives off the ground now but in a solid wood custom built cage. She is also blind so I imagine she doesn't know she's at a height.
 
I'm also debating adding a second level with my boys, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Would you consider extending outwards on the floor level, @LozzyBee? Mine are in a 3x4 which still looks a little cramped with hideys etc; could you cope with a 3x5?
 
One level is definately best if you have room - as it is the amount of floor space that is important.

However, having a 2nd level CAN be a good way of enriching their environment. Please remember, having a ramp can actually reduce the floor space available.

For example, I have a 6x2ft 2 tier hutch . Because of the ramp, I "calculate" my hutch to be 5x2ft and therefore can accommodate a maximum of 4 guinea pigs.

I am in the process of collating information that has been posted on this forum about ramps and how to make ramps safe . I am hoping to find some time over easter to finish the info.
 
I'm also debating adding a second level with my boys, I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. Would you consider extending outwards on the floor level, @LozzyBee? Mine are in a 3x4 which still looks a little cramped with hideys etc; could you cope with a 3x5?

I'm considering the 3x5 idea now to be honest. They'll need moving around a little to a different spot in the lounge, but I'd feel happier with them having more room. When I first got this cage it seemed massive, it's crazy to think it seems small now - especially when I think of my friends pair in a pet shop cage lol.
 
I'm considering the 3x5 idea now to be honest. They'll need moving around a little to a different spot in the lounge, but I'd feel happier with them having more room. When I first got this cage it seemed massive, it's crazy to think it seems small now - especially when I think of my friends pair in a pet shop cage lol.

If you can extend on one floor, then that is great. However, you have to also consider (especially when you are no longer quite as long or not very tall!) how easy a larger width is for you to clean and cope with. If you have got plenty of grids, then you could consider both - a hay loft and plenty of ground space.

With ramps, shallow ramps with a good grip can be mastered by pretty much any piggy except those that are blind from birth and the very elderly with mobility issues - even my cataract piggies have had one and used it all! I use old carpet cut-offs which I replace from time to time. They also give a good scent spoor for blind piggies to follow.

Little rails on the sides will help to make a ramp secure, especially when it goes to full grid height.
 
Extra floor room is definitely good if you have the space. My boars love their little balcony and trundle up and down all the time, the ramp is very shallow though. We have a small basket of hay up there but they mostly use it to sleep and take themselves off to bed about 10.30 and whenever we have come downstairs in the night they are up there in their favourite corners and often don't stir until veggie time. The ramp now has vet bed on it as it's softer on their feet, I lay a strip down it and the sides of the ramp and the rubber backing hold it in place which means it's easy to lift out for washing.IMG_7174.webp
 
I didn't really take into account cage cleaning @Wiebke ! Good point.

I do like the idea of the shallow ramp, I do like the one in your picture @piggieminder - I could see them coping with that. I need to see what's available to buy - we are the worlds worst with DIY, I wouldn't trust anything I'd made myself.

I'll get my thinking cap on, thanks for the ideas and suggestions.
 
I climb in my cage to clean it out, I gave myself housemaids knee rocking around on the reaching in.
 
I didn't really take into account cage cleaning @Wiebke ! Good point.

I do like the idea of the shallow ramp, I do like the one in your picture @piggieminder - I could see them coping with that. I need to see what's available to buy - we are the worlds worst with DIY, I wouldn't trust anything I'd made myself.

I'll get my thinking cap on, thanks for the ideas and suggestions.

You can get a piece of wood sewn to your dimensions in DIY shop. You can use eyelets and hooks to hinge it in safely if you are not good at DIY.

Thankfully, I have a hub who loves wood working; he has made me several mezzanines with ramps for my groups to use as dens. He's made me several lift-out frames with a wooden top. On some, the ramp is hinged on.
Have a look for ideas in my Wiebke's Tribe facebook photo album: The Tribe pens | Facebook
 
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