Cage accessories for pair of boars

[Jemima]

Hello!

We are adopting a pair of young boars in a week or so. And I am wondering how many accessories I should get for their home - it's a 4x2 C&C with a 2x2 loft, which is L shaped.

So far, I have a log arch. A fleece tunnel. And a peppa pot, which is amazing - it has three entrances and is cosy and snuggly. I also have a small (perhaps too small) tray for hay, and I intend to have an abundance of hay for burying into. In fact, I may ask my husband to make a tray with higher sides, so I can fill it with hay, but make the entrance easy to get into, with either no side or a little step up. I could potentially put this upstairs or in tieback corner.

I am conscious not to overfill their home, but equally, not to under-fill it!

Anyway, I'd love to see your pictures if you have a similar set up. We are new to owning piggies and I want to do our best for them.

We are excitedly awaiting their arrival!

 

[Swissgreys]

Things like tunnels and fleece forests which give them enrichment without taking away floor space are always good.
You need to make sure you have multiple hides with 2 doors so they can rest in separate areas too.
I am sure the rescue will also be happy to provide photos of their current set up to give you an idea.

Also try looking on the C&C cages thread for inspiration.

Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

 

[Jemima]

Things like tunnels and fleece forests which give them enrichment without taking away floor space are always good.
You need to make sure you have multiple hides with 2 doors so they can rest in separate areas too.
I am sure the rescue will also be happy to provide photos of their current set up to give you an idea.

Also try looking on the C&C cages thread for inspiration.

Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

Wonderful, thank you!

 

[Jemima]

Things like tunnels and fleece forests which give them enrichment without taking away floor space are always good.
You need to make sure you have multiple hides with 2 doors so they can rest in separate areas too.
I am sure the rescue will also be happy to provide photos of their current set up to give you an idea.

Also try looking on the C&C cages thread for inspiration.

Member Gallery: C&C cages/homemade cages

Love the fleece forest idea - I can make that!

 

[Siikibam]

I would add another hay tray. I’m afraid to say that 4x2 won’t be big enough for a pair of boars. They need minimum 2x5, on one floor. Will the loft have two entry/exits? Space is even more important in young ones who haven’t or will go through their teens.

 

[Jemima]

I would add another hay tray. I’m afraid to say that 4x2 won’t be big enough for a pair of boars. They need minimum 2x5, on one floor. Will the loft have two entry/exits? Space is even more important in young ones who haven’t or will go through their teens.

Oh! The rescue made my set up... They are a very reputable rescue here in this area, specialising in piggies. I will go back to them about this.

Yes, I read about needing entrances and exits with boars. I am yet to learn about what their circumstances are and what age they are. I don't know if they are the same age, or anything actually!

But no, the loft space only has one entrance and exit...

I have made sure all the tunnels/cosy accessories etc have two exits.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Oh! The rescue made my set up... They are a very reputable rescue here in this area, specialising in piggies. I will go back to them about this.

Yes, I read about needing entrances and exits with boars. I am yet to learn about what their circumstances are and what age they are. I don't know if they are the same age, or anything actually!

But no, the loft space only has one entrance and exit...

I have made sure all the tunnels/cosy accessories etc have two exits.

If the rescue approved it, then you can only go by what they say but keep an eye on things. A 2x4 c&c measures 150x77cm, which is about minimum for two boars - fine for some, not for others. Ideally they would have a 2x5 (measuring 180x77cm). My two boys were originally in a 2x4 equivalent size and within weeks, once they settled, their teen hormones hit and it became abundantly obvious that the 2x4 needed to be expanded. Just something to keep an eye on. If they are older, then it may be ok for them.
Again, with the ramp, some can be fine, some not. if you’ve got hormonal teen boars a ramp can sometimes become a source of trouble given only one of them can be on it at a time.

 

[Jemima]

I would add another hay tray. I’m afraid to say that 4x2 won’t be big enough for a pair of boars. They need minimum 2x5, on one floor. Will the loft have two entry/exits? Space is even more important in young ones who haven’t or will go through their teens.

If the rescue approved it, then you can only go by what they say but keep an eye on things. A 2x4 c&c measures 150x77cm, which is about minimum for two boars - fine for some, not for others. Ideally they would have a 2x5 (measuring 180x77cm). My two boys were originally in a 2x4 equivalent size and within weeks, once they settled, their teen hormones hit and it became abundantly obvious that the 2x4 needed to be expanded. Just something to keep an eye on. If they are older, then it may be ok for them.
Again, with the ramp, some can be fine, some not. if you’ve got hormonal teen boars a ramp can sometimes become a source of trouble given only one of them can be on it at a time.

Thanks. I've asked them just to double check, poor rescue, I have asked them so many questions!

I know that boars needed lots of space, so assumed we'd be offered girls, but this pair has come up. I intend on giving them floor space every day (once they are settled). We can enclose the hall in our bungalow, which is big, by shutting all the doors and there are no wires there, either.

I am also going to order a huge 6ft run for when they can go out for a few hours on the grass.

Obviously I want to give them the best possible life. And I've just glanced at their cage and we could fit in the extra grid, but the door would just about open up on it!

 

[rp1993]

Here are some examples of our sets up with our boars, ours is 180X70 I put all the hides down one end and then they have a pile of hay on bath mats at the other end!
As you can see they have a lot of stuff because they are massively spoilt
The hay trays in the second pic didn’t last long as they annoyed me and I found them to be a faff!

 

[LollyJJ]

I use lots of cardboard boxes so I can chuck and change- fill some with hay with a layer of something to soak up pee or newspaper/ wood shavings/pee pad at the bottom and boxes with holes cut out of for hideys, big cardboard tubes, bigger plastic hay box (old IKEA storage we had for crafty stuff) and the fleece. At the mo I have rigged up a little hammock by attaching the fleece to the bars, which the boys love- they take it in turns to sleep in and underneath - mine don't tend to snuggle up together.
I quite often fold fleeces over so they can burrow and tunnel into them, which is very entertaining!
I like to change the set up in someway every week when I clean out to make it interesting .

 

[Jemima]

I use lots of cardboard boxes so I can chuck and change- fill some with hay with a layer of something to soak up pee or newspaper/ wood shavings/pee pad at the bottom and boxes with holes cut out of for hideys, big cardboard tubes, bigger plastic hay box (old IKEA storage we had for crafty stuff) and the fleece. At the mo I have rigged up a little hammock by attaching the fleece to the bars, which the boys love- they take it in turns to sleep in and underneath - mine don't tend to snuggle up together.
I quite often fold fleeces over so they can burrow and tunnel into them, which is very entertaining!
I like to change the set up in someway every week when I clean out to make it interesting .View attachment 169455

Ah amazing, thank you so much for sharing your photos! I love the idea of cardboard boxes, I'll start collecting them up so I can change up their setup regularly, like you do - fab idea.

Popping fleece in for burying under is a great idea, too - I have a large fleece blanket that I am going to use part of for a fleece forest, so I will have loads spare.

 

[Jemima]

Here are some examples of our sets up with our boars, ours is 180X70 I put all the hides down one end and then they have a pile of hay on bath mats at the other end!
As you can see they have a lot of stuff because they are massively spoilt
The hay trays in the second pic didn’t last long as they annoyed me and I found them to be a faff!View attachment 169448View attachment 169452View attachment 169453View attachment 169454

Ah so lovely! Their setup is amazing, thank you for sharing your photos. I have an old bath mat which I will now keep and use! Hidey holes down one end sounds good, too. Lots of ideas, thank you!

 

[Siikibam]

Empty wine boxes from Tesco (I assume they’re still available) are good. I keep forgetting when I go in.

 

[RedLoredAmazon]

Jemima, your children will love seeing the piggies enjoy the carboard boxes! My children love watching our piggies playing in the boxes. I do get frequent requests on adding windows, skylights, and fancy door shapes for the boxes. I have a large box that I will be cutting up later today for Cocoa and Oreo to enjoy.

 

[Jemima]

Jemima, your children will love seeing the piggies enjoy the carboard boxes! My children love watching our piggies playing in the boxes. I do get frequent requests on adding windows, skylights, and fancy door shapes for the boxes. I have a large box that I will be cutting up later today for Cocoa and Oreo to enjoy.

We are really very excited and counting down the days! Who knew I would become a Guinea Pig obsessive - A) in such a short space of time, and B) without even having them yet! The boxes sound very entertaining - the children are really looking forward to making things for them.