Bonds

[Beryl Ann]

The maze would have no internal walls for this it would just be a 4 ft x 4ft enclosure.

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s exactly the same size - both 16 square feet so that is fine

Presumably this 4x4 space would be for indoors?
If so, then it may just be easier to use c&c grids as a holiday cage (4 grids by 4 grids actually covers more than 16 square feet given a grid is 14 inches not 12 so that would give them more space). Cable tie them all together except the two ends. They then concertina up for easy storage when not in use. When needed, unfold it, pop the connectors on, put down a plastic sheet as a base, add bedding and then that’s a perfect and easily transported cage (it’s what one of my spare cages is)
If you do want to do it out of wood, then Id make the sides higher than a foot. C&c grids are 14 inches high so I’d not go any lower than that

 

[Beryl Ann]

It’s exactly the same size - both 16 square feet so that is fine

Presumably this 4x4 space would be for indoors?
If so, then it may just be easier to use c&c grids as a holiday cage (4 grids by 4 grids actually covers more than 16 square feet given a grid is 14 inches not 12 so that would give them more space). Cable tie them all together except the two ends. They then concertina up for easy storage when not in use. When needed, unfold it, pop the connectors on, put down a plastic sheet as a base, add bedding and then that’s a perfect and easily transported cage (it’s what one of my spare cages is)
If you do want to do it out of wood, then Id make the sides higher than a foot. C&c grids are 14 inches high so I’d not go any lower than that

Thank you. But in principle the 4x4 is OK?

 

[Beryl Ann]

Thank you. But in principle the 4x4 is OK?

Yes for indoors. And when you say grids are you meaning the tops of the cages? I only have 3 cages if you do.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Their cage need to be 8ft x 2ft which makes 16 square feet as a minimum for six piggies. So yes it’s ok.
(it’s 4ft x 2ft for two piggies as a minimum and then an additional foot in length for each subsequent piggy making 8ft x 2ft as the smallest size)
Ideally you go for 5ft x 2ft for two piggies, then an additional foot in length for each subsequent piggy making 9ft x 2ft which makes 18 square feet as the recommended cage size for six piggies.


No I mean c&c grids - the things these cages in this thread are made from Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages
All About C & C Grid Cages Around The World

A 4 grid x 4 grid c&c cage measures 5ft x 5ft

 

[Beryl Ann]

They need several hours in a neutral territory bonding pen before moving to the cage so you should have a reasonable idea of how things will be. However, it does take two weeks to fully form a hierarchy with a risk that they can figure things out and it still fails during that two weeks. So youd just want that back up to be able to immediately separate them again.
Being in the divided run unfortunately is no indication of what will happen during actual bonding.

Keep us posted if you do go ahead with it

You asked to be kept posted. Put the 6 piggies together in the outside run yesterday. I closely followed the advice given on this forum on Bonding which was so useful. They had approx 5 hours together before making the decision to join the 5ft and 4ft hutches together so bonding was not interupted by having to be separated overnight and to give them 9ft on a single level. Piggies had about 8 hours together before being put into the newly converted hutches. I just have to sort out how to arrange the covers over the tunnel. So far so good. Thank you for your advice throughout.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Fantastic, well done!
I'm so glad things have gone well!

 

[Beryl Ann]

Thank you again Piggies and Buns and thank you Wiebke for the bonding advice. Fingers crossed things continue positively

 

[VickiA]

Fabulous. Just seen your thread and read all the posts and advice. Well done!

 

[weepweeps]

Brilliant. Would love to see some pictures if you’d like to share.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m so glad it worked out for you. Long May it continue. If you’re able to move the tunnels (they’re not glued to the hutch), could you cut around the covers in that area so they sit against the hutch walls?

 

[Beryl Ann]

Brilliant. Would love to see some pictures if you’d like to share.

Hermione (Hermi) Luna, Bellatrix (Bella) Harriet (Harri) and newbies Narcissa (Cissy) and Ronnie.

 

[Black piggies]

Gorgeous piggies And well done your husband! The joined hutch looks amazing.

 

[weepweeps]

They are gorgeous

 

[Beryl Ann]

I’m so glad it worked out for you. Long May it continue. If you’re able to move the tunnels (they’re not glued to the hutch), could you cut around the covers in that area so they sit against the hutch walls?

I think that is possibly the only option to get them flat. I think I will wait just a bit longer though before doing that to be more sure the bonding Is going to work. .

 

[Beryl Ann]

Gorgeous piggies And well done your husband! The joined hutch looks amazing.

Thank you; my husband is wheelchair dependent after breaking his spine in a fall 35 years ago so it was very much a joint effort of love

 

[alpacasqueak]

So glad everything’s gone so well! What beautiful piglets!

 

[Beryl Ann]

So glad everything’s gone so well! What beautiful piglets!

Thank you

 

[Beryl Ann]

They are gorgeous

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you

I have been trying to put up a couple of little videos without success so apologise for any repetitive messages along the way as I have attempted this I'm not very techie.

 

[Beryl Ann]

Thank you

I think things will be fine They all seem chilled with each other now after a bit of a fiery start with the littlest red piggie showing displays of fear aggression; biting and jumping on the others. That lasted about 5-10 minutes but no one seems to have held a grudge. I tried to put on a short video but the system didn't allow so I screen shot a couple of pictures.