Building on top of/onto old cage

[yayoiharuko]

Hi there guys!
I have been looking all over the Internet and am having some trouble with building a C & C cage. The initial idea is simple, yes, but I'm afraid my situation is a little more complicated than I thought.
I currently have a cage I got from the pet store with the dimensions 4ft by 2ft. It's the bare minimum, and with two very active boys, I'm unhappy with it. But I want to be able to use it. So here are my concerns/questions:
Should I extend it long ways, or make an upper level? I have a small room, so the upper level would be better for me, but I see no point in doing that if they won't like it.
Are there any videos online to help me make an upper level on an existing cage?
I can provide pictures if you guys would like some. I currently have a large coroplast board and some panels from a play pen.
Any ideas/opinions would be appreciated. I wanted to get some opinions on this before I even got started on this project.
Thank you!

 

[Piggies&buns]

In terms of usable space, extending longways is better. Upstairs space doesn’t actually count towards the recommenddd area/size of the cage. So if you go upwards, your cage will still be bare minimum size. If that makes sense.

 

[yayoiharuko]

In terms of usable space, extending longways is better. Upstairs space doesn’t actually count towards the recommenddd area/size of the cage. So if you go upwards, your cage will still be bare minimum size. If that makes sense.

That makes sense. I might be able to utilize the corner of my room and extend it out that way, to give them around 2.5 ft by 4ft more space (measured.)
However, I don't know what I would do about the wall of the cage, unless I put two bridges on either side. Otherwise, I'd have to cut the side.

 

[Merab]

I did cut the side of my c@c so I could extend a 5x2 by adding the unused loft as a 2x2 L shape.
It seems to have worked.
We did have to dismantle a table though to fit the cage extension in the room. It’s now in pieces on the landing.

 

[yayoiharuko]

I did cut the side of my c@c so I could extend a 5x2 by adding the unused loft as a 2x2 L shape.
It seems to have worked.
We did have to dismantle a table though to fit the cage extension in the room. It’s now in pieces on the landing.

Wow. That's so nice. The angle you have yours at would be the same as mine, just have a couple of problems. The cage they are in has super thick plastic sides, which is the smaller issue of the two, since, I could just cut the side out. Second, the cage is on wheels, so trying to attach it to a c&c cage would leave a rather large gap and would probably drive me nuts.
Should I attach some pictures? It might help to give you guys an idea of what I have going on in here.

 

[yayoiharuko]

By the way, your setup is super cute!

I did cut the side of my c@c so I could extend a 5x2 by adding the unused loft as a 2x2 L shape.
It seems to have worked.
We did have to dismantle a table though to fit the cage extension in the room. It’s now in pieces on the landing.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Wow. That's so nice. The angle you have yours at would be the same as mine, just have a couple of problems. The cage they are in has super thick plastic sides, which is the smaller issue of the two, since, I could just cut the side out. Second, the cage is on wheels, so trying to attach it to a c&c cage would leave a rather large gap and would probably drive me nuts.
Should I attach some pictures? It might help to give you guys an idea of what I have going on in here.

Yes, pics may make it easier for us to help with some ideas

 

[yayoiharuko]

Hopefully this helps.

 

[yayoiharuko]

Put the panels down to see if I could try to visualize this a little better

 

[yayoiharuko]

Yes, pics may make it easier for us to help with some ideas

Posted some so hopefully it helps

 

[yayoiharuko]

I can at least say I did something useful tonight..

 

[Piggy1011]

I think it look fine how you have it. Just add bridges. What are the problems you face? Just got to zip tie the metal squares together now lol

 

[Merab]

By the way, your setup is super cute!

Thank you

 

[Merab]

That looks good.
Bridges would be ideal and fun.
I didn’t realise you were extending a plastic cage - I only had to cope with correx.
I’m sure your piggies will love the space

 

[yayoiharuko]

I think I made a big mistake.
So frustrated right now.
Bridges might have been okay but I didnt know how to make them and I don't know.. I'm thinking about just throwing the whole thing out and I don't want to do that because it would be a big waste of money and time..

 

[Seven7]

I have two cages simlar to yours, one for Finn and one for Lara. I am reading your thread trying to find solution in case I run into your scenario. Mine won't be having babies but I might bring friends for my Finn and Lara making it necessary to add more room.

Currently, I have a separate playpen Finn and Lara play at different times. I physically put them in the playpen as there is no tunnel to lead them to their playpen.

 

[Pearl and Zip]

I think I made a big mistake.
So frustrated right now.
Bridges might have been okay but I didnt know how to make them and I don't know.. I'm thinking about just throwing the whole thing out and I don't want to do that because it would be a big waste of money and time..

I think I might have a suggestion. What is the height of your bases?

 

[Piggy1011]

What about those wooden bridges for small animals. Have you tried those? Don’t give up just yet

 

[Merab]

I use one of the wooden bridges for my girls so they can come and go during floor time.
I would have used that as a link when I extended my cage if I hadn’t decided to cut the correx

 

[yayoiharuko]

I think I might have a suggestion. What is the height of your bases?

When I was measuring everything, I cut the walls of the coroplast to be about 8 inches tall, just to try to minimize the amount of bedding they kicked out. I believe the cage has 8 inch or 9 inch walls as well.
My big mistake was deciding to cut the wall of the plastic cage. I didn't cut the whole thing off, but immediately realized my mistake. Now I'm stuck trying to put it back together. The coroplast wasn't as big of a deal since I could duct tape it, but yeah.

 

[yayoiharuko]

What about those wooden bridges for small animals. Have you tried those? Don’t give up just yet

Wooden bridges? I don't think I've seen those. I have a couple plastic bridges but i couldnt find any way to affix them to the plastic cage and coroplast, plus the pigs don't like them. I thought about putting carpet on them but I feel like they are just too flimsy to go through all that.

 

[yayoiharuko]

I use one of the wooden bridges for my girls so they can come and go during floor time.
I would have used that as a link when I extended my cage if I hadn’t decided to cut the correx

I haven't seen wooden bridges at petco or online. Can they be built? Or bought online?

 

[yayoiharuko]

I have two cages simlar to yours, one for Finn and one for Lara. I am reading your thread trying to find solution in case I run into your scenario. Mine won't be having babies but I might bring friends for my Finn and Lara making it necessary to add more room.

Currently, I have a separate playpen Finn and Lara play at different times. I physically put them in the playpen as there is no tunnel to lead them to their playpen.

I'm not sure if this is the same for all pigs, but both of mine just love to run and run and run all the time. I actually had a separate playpen for my pigs as well, which is where I got my metal panels from. I would also pick them up to move them to the playpen every day. It worked well for me, but not for my mom. She didn't like it being in the living room for all to see and smell even though I cleaned it often, which is why I decided to just extend my current one to make a more spacious and comfortable home.

 

[Seven7]

I see what you mean.
My metal cages were around $100 each and I have two, and they both have wheels on them.

Have you considered C&C cage? They seem to be very popular among many members here.

 

[Piggy1011]

@Betsy where did you get your bridges from?

 

[Pearl and Zip]

When I was measuring everything, I cut the walls of the coroplast to be about 8 inches tall, just to try to minimize the amount of bedding they kicked out. I believe the cage has 8 inch or 9 inch walls as well.
My big mistake was deciding to cut the wall of the plastic cage. I didn't cut the whole thing off, but immediately realized my mistake. Now I'm stuck trying to put it back together. The coroplast wasn't as big of a deal since I could duct tape it, but yeah.

Something like this but longer may work: Kaytee Tropical Fiddle Sticks Small Animal Flexible Hideout
I think this is one of the wooden bridges others mentioned.

 

[Piggy1011]

Yeh, like that one, just loooonger

 

[Merab]

This is the wooden bridge.
I buy mine in Pets at Home. They come flat so you can bend them as needed.
I use them as hideys in the cage, bridges and toys.

 

[Piggy1011]

Sorry was supposed to tag you merabs slave

 

[Betsy]

@Betsy where did you get your bridges from?

From Pets Corner but you can get them at Pets at Home too.