Size of new cage, help?

Status
Not open for further replies.
skrikopanik

skrikopanik

Joined
Oct 12, 2009
Messages
3,009
Reaction score
26
Points
0
Location
Linköping, Sweden
I'm planning to build a new cage and right now I'm fiddling around with drawings and planning... I started out with a 120x70 cm cage (inside measurements, so bigger than the same size pet store cage) and found it too small for the three I adopted at first (and still have, the fourth one left too soon :( )

I've decided on a corner of my living room where I want to keep them and it somewhat limits my size options... (the reason for chosing it is because they'll get lots of interaction there and it's the only place that never gets direct sunlight) The biggest I can go for the intended space is 160x75 cm (again, inside measurements). I'm planning to make a hayloft from the IKEA Dilling under bed storage bin, which is 77x70 cm (outside rim).

Big question... Do you think I will regret making the cage smaller? I'm pretty happy with the pen size they have now 180x90, but now the hay crate takes up part of that space and in the new it would be bigger and lofted.

I'm wondering because I would love to get another pig this summer... 160x75 is too small according to the guinea pig cages standard for four pigs, because lofts don't count.

What do you think?
 
That's not a bad size for the floor space and if you added a loft it does add more fun things to do in the cage. Plus I have a loft and I have to say they ARE floor space in my mind as my lot use them all the time.

Not sure 4 in that space tho. Could you try it and see if it works and then change if necessary. Interaction is as important too.

BTW I had no idea about Freja. Sorry I am so so hopeless but when I saw what you had posted I searched until I found your post in rainbow bridge. I stay away from there generally as it makes me really sad. So sorry I hadn't posted there.
 
Thanks Lisa! (Don't worry about the Freja thing... I rarely go into the rainbow bridge thred either because it makes me blubber..)

You have the trixie 150 for three piggies, right? How does that work? How many times a week do you need to change out the fleece? How big is the loft?

I'm asking because I guess the bottom measurement is a little smaller than 150 and then maybe 160 plus some cm on the sides too (how wide is the Trixie?) maybe it would be able to be compared with having four pigs in a slightly bigger cage?

I just want to to the thinking before I buy and build for once... Aaargh, I wish I could just get cubes and coroplast like you guys! I would def have a Lisa-tower then!
 
my only concern and it would depend on the temperament of your piggies is my lot (furby and jive rub each other up the wrong way) get very grumpy with each other when their space is reduced. Hence i had to spend ages finding a boarding place that would give them a 6ft hutch at a price i could afford! They cope in a 5ft hutch but it is no means harmonius and they are always very happy to get into their normal cage. I count loft space as floor space as they use it alot especially if it is a hay loft!
 
Good point, Eleanor... My piggies never snuggle up to eachother but don't seem to argue either. As long as they each have a private sleeping hutch they are happy. The new hayloft will be way bigger than the crate they have now (I 'm planning to use the same Dilling boxex you have used for a cage base)

I think the loft should count too... There is always at least one pig in the hay!

I'm mostly concerned about cleaning, actually... I've gotten used to cage changes once a week but robably won't die if I have to do it every 4 or 5 days instead :))
 
You're spoiled - I change both cages every 3rd day but doing a new cleaning on the big cage as there are so many i'm going to swap fleeces every other day. Inco pads every 4 days.

Okay well 160cm is just over 5 ft which is okay for 3. With a loft should be okay (just) - shame about c&c. I have loads of grids if you want some? Would it be too dear to courier over?

It may be cheaper than a big cage and you can always change it if it doesn't work out?

You don't need correx either could use lino instead?
 
Thanks for the offer, Lisa, but yes... I think shipping would be very expensive. Not too keen on lino either as it's gonna be in my living room and I want it to look nice and lino usually doesn't look as tidy. (I know I'm being silly about this)

160X75 is 1,2 square metres which is the minimum for four by the Guinea Pig Cages standards. With a loft (litterally :))) on top of that at least I'm giving them enough by those standards. I checked how many piggies I could have on 1,2 m by Swedish law and the result is 8! Which just shows how useless that law is....

I know I have been spoilt with cage changes :). As long as it can last over a weekend (if I have pig sitters) I'm gonna feel ok with it. I've also noticed that the inco pads can last much longer than the fleece. I've been tempted to sew them together into bedspreads, but this is the winning argument for keeping them separate.
 
I wonder whether joanne is unpicking all her incopads out to remake into the new cages?
 
lovelygirl said:
I wonder whether joanne is unpicking all her incopads out to remake into the new cages?
Click to expand...

I bought more :))....

I already have a new plan for my old ones... using them for floortime :))...

My new incopads are on route to Pollie... as we speak :))

Might I add, I am never changing my cage again after tomorrow!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top