Cage help!

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Catakibug

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Hi, I'm a newbie and rescued 2 sows almost 2 weeks ago. We bought the biggest cage we could fit but I feel they would be happier with more space. Have also realised they don't need a lid on their cage (we bought a pets at home one quickly so that we could bring the guinea pigs home) and my husband wants to make them a run which would give them loads more space (they are under the stairs so having a lid means we can't use a fair bit of room). So....I'm thinking correx is what we need? Any advice would be great, what thickness do we need etc? Thank you!
 
The minimum for a pair of sows is 120x60cm. If you could somehow attach the run so they have constant access to it then that would be perfect. You can use the 2mm thickness proplex from Wickes or you can use the 4mm correx that’s available on ebay. It’s up to you which you choose really. I’ve had both but did buy correx for the girls. The boys munched (but didn’t swallow) the proplex a lot but it served them well. I never changed it in the time they lived in their c&c.
 
Siikibam said:
The minimum for a pair of sows is 120x60cm. If you could somehow attach the run so they have constant access to it then that would be perfect. You can use the 2mm thickness proplex from Wickes or you can use the 4mm correx that’s available on ebay. It’s up to you which you choose really. I’ve had both but did buy correx for the girls. The boys munched (but didn’t swallow) the proplex a lot but it served them well. I never changed it in the time they lived in their c&c.
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Thanks for replying! Our current cage is the next size up but I get the feeling they'd be happier in more space plus we could make better use of our available space for them! I guess we could try to figure out attaching a run permanently but I was hoping to make it big enough for daytime when we're all out then upgrade our current playpen set-up in the lounge (currently have a hexagonal playpen with a tunnel leading to a massive cardboard box.)Problem is it's taken over our lounge so we need either a foldable option or a big enough cage for them to spend the majority of their time in.

My husband is pretty handy so fancies making something himself. Especially as we have weird under-stair dimensions to deal with!

Will do some research, thank you for your reply!
 
Is there anywhere you could put their cage?
 
The lid shouldn’t change the size of the cage. So with or without a lid shouldn’t make a difference. Or am I not picturing it properly?
 
Siikibam said:
The lid shouldn’t change the size of the cage. So with or without a lid shouldn’t make a difference. Or am I not picturing it properly?
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Yeah because it's under the stairs we lose a lot of space towards the bottom of the stairs because of the height of the cage. Sorry if I'm not explaining it properly!
 
piggieminder said:
Housing, Bedding & Seasonal Care Guides

There's loads of ideas for cages in the above guides, especially the members galleries. I use C&C grids for my play pens, they concertina up into a tiny square for storing if you don't cable tie the last two grids together, I join mine with a couple of bull dog clips when in use.
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Thank you, will will definitely have a look :-)
 
*kate* said:
My 2 live in a run made from 2 hamster runs, gives a good space and folds up too x
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Thank you! We definitely need a foldable option in the lounge as the set up at the moment is taking up too much space and has to stay there permanently.
 
Good luck - sounds an ideal place under the stairs and if your husband is handy it’ll be great ! You will have to post some pictures 😀
 
Catakibug said:
Yeah because it's under the stairs we lose a lot of space towards the bottom of the stairs because of the height of the cage. Sorry if I'm not explaining it properly!
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They don't need a top to the cage as long as they can't get out so if your hubby wants to put something together so that they'll have a bigger space then I'd say go for it, but will you be able to get into all the spaces to clean it?
Cleaning out the enclosure is one of the main reasons I'm changing my piggies enclosures plus stacking them so I don't have them all over my room (I have a herd of 3 girls and a neutered boy in one and 2 boys who've decided they don't get along anymore 😔 so I've had to split them)

With regards to the run in the living room you can get something like a small dog pen or rabbit run that comes in panels so that they fold up for easy storage like the picture attached (I just searched pet play pen on ebay)
 

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*kate* said:
This is mine!

View attachment 160780
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Ahh that looks so cool! Do you leave it up permanently? I think that I will get hubby building something after Christmas while he's off work....am thinking if we extend their cage under the stairs it will eliminate the need for so much in the lounge but we can just use our playpen so give them a change of scenery.

Will try and attach a photo of the current set up.
 
So this is the cage under the stairs....as you can see we have a fair bit of room to play with if we build something, it would be wider too. We'd move the mezzanine as we call it onto the right hand side for more space too.
 

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This is the playpen set up in the lounge....theyve both been in here all day as I've been working from home But they've mostly sat in the tunnel all day apart from when I've topped up their hay so I'm not sure they like it? They do get pretty excited in the evenings though so maybe I need to give them more comfy stuff if they just want to chill? Gosh it's like having a new born baby again isn't it! Never knowing what to do for the best!
 

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Catakibug said:
Ahh that looks so cool! Do you leave it up permanently? I think that I will get hubby building something after Christmas while he's off work....am thinking if we extend their cage under the stairs it will eliminate the need for so much in the lounge but we can just use our playpen so give them a change of scenery.

Will try and attach a photo of the current set up.
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Yes that’s their permanent home!
 
Wow what lucky little piggies ! Their home and playpen look amazing ! As your piggies haven’t been with you very long I think they are just adjusting - I reckon they will love their new home. It’s a great idea to purpose build something under the stairs - Your husband could maybe build in a pull out floor which would make cleaning easier ? I know what you mean about ‘having a newborn baby’ we just want to do the right things and it can make us a bit paranoid. That feeling does pass and you’ll find it much easier !
 
Catakibug said:
So this is the cage under the stairs....as you can see we have a fair bit of room to play with if we build something, it would be wider too. We'd move the mezzanine as we call it onto the right hand side for more space too.
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oh yes that would be lovely for then if you could build something to take up the whole of the space under there.
 
Roselina said:
Wow what lucky little piggies ! Their home and playpen look amazing ! As your piggies haven’t been with you very long I think they are just adjusting - I reckon they will love their new home. It’s a great idea to purpose build something under the stairs - Your husband could maybe build in a pull out floor which would make cleaning easier ? I know what you mean about ‘having a newborn baby’ we just want to do the right things and it can make us a bit paranoid. That feeling does pass and you’ll find it much easier !
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Aww thank you, I really am paranoid that they are miserable/bored/squished etc and am trying so many ideas with tbem. But I think I need to realise they haven't even been with us for 2 weeks yet so are still adjusting to their new home!
Hubby is very good at DIY so will definitely suggest a pull out floor, thank you! Need to make use of him while he's off work haha!
I keep telling myself to chill out but I feel so guilty that they don't have a big room to themselves. I just hope they're happy!
 
I think they are happy - make sure you have two of everything , dishes,water bottles, hideys. Piggies love cardboard boxes with entrances/exits cut into them - piggies love chewing cardboard and it is safe for them - I wouldn’t rush to add too much excitement things until they’ve settled in a bit more. You will find they will start to come to you for treats and will let you know when it’s teatime etc. You have lots of exciting times ahead. Great that your Hubby is off and so practical ! I can’t wait to see how it goes. What are your piggies called ?
 
I love threads like this - so excited to see how it will look! I've gone through so many cages since I've started owning guinea pigs in the last 4 months I've got through 5 cages. Always started off small and then they gradually just got bigger and bigger until they now have their own bedroom. I did use C&C religiously as one of my final cage ideas and I was really pleased with this as you could change the design as much as you like and brilliant for space. Also it doesn't scare the pigs as much as constantly opening the lid and it making an awful noise! My final design (see attached) I just wanted something practical and simple, it was also the cheapest by far of all of my designs, think it was around £17. I know I wanted to use a set amount of space, similar to you I know where I wanted my cage to start and finish and where it had to fit so I literally just ordered two sheets of 4mm correx and measured it exactly to the size of the space so the correx couldn't move and it would protect the wall also and stop the piggies getting out! It's less cagey to me, and it's also SO easy to clean as I've always used wood or vinly which were hard to clean and went all bumpy in the end! I would offer you a 200cm x140cm sheet of correx that I have left over currently living on my stairs lol but you're too far away !😂 Good luck :)received_204450051345079.jpeg
 
Tara95 what lucky piggies you have - that’s a wonderful set up. You show how easy it is to adapt any space for them. I love it !
 
Roselina said:
Tara95 what lucky piggies you have - that’s a wonderful set up. You show how easy it is to adapt any space for them. I love it !
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Aww thank you, your set up looks great too ! Love the accessories you have in your pic especially the hay house 🏠 where did you get it from? Very spoilt and cute pigs you have especially the cute little white one 🐖💓
 
The green house is the Hop Inn and I’ve added a grass tunnel thru one end. It’s not non toxic paint and the boys love it. I bought thru 'Hop Inn' Pet Play |Tunnels| Rabbits Guinea Pigs Cats Kittens and Small Dogs - it was £25 but very solid and safe. No glues or nails etc . The hay house is from Amazon and gets chewed so is replaced regularly ! It’s about £12. Bobby is the ‘ cute little white one’ and is great fun , he hates being handled but puts up with ‘weigh in’ . Geoff is the ginger one and the quiet one that will tolerate anything .....including Bobby 🥰
 
Roselina said:
I think they are happy - make sure you have two of everything , dishes,water bottles, hideys. Piggies love cardboard boxes with entrances/exits cut into them - piggies love chewing cardboard and it is safe for them - I wouldn’t rush to add too much excitement things until they’ve settled in a bit more. You will find they will start to come to you for treats and will let you know when it’s teatime etc. You have lots of exciting times ahead. Great that your Hubby is off and so practical ! I can’t wait to see how it goes. What are your piggies called ?
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Thank you - they seem happy and seem to be settling in. We have 2 of everything although they share their food bowl as they shared in the sanctuary. But 2 hidey etc and we've been getting creative with cardboard which they seem to love. They are up and squeaking as soon as I come downstairs in the morning, telling me they want their breakfast! They're fairly quiet during the day then perk up later on. We're starting to.see their personalities now which is great.
We removed the big tunnel and cardboard box from their playpen as they were sitting in an end each of the tunnel. Since then they've been loads more active and seem happier. They 're called Treasure and Patch, we've only had them 2 weeks but they're part of the Family already x
 
Ah that’s wonderful ! I love it when their personalities come out. Sounds like Treasure and Patch have landed on their paws with you ! Their home is just right for happy piggies 🥰
 
Roselina said:
The green house is the Hop Inn and I’ve added a grass tunnel thru one end. It’s not non toxic paint and the boys love it. I bought thru 'Hop Inn' Pet Play |Tunnels| Rabbits Guinea Pigs Cats Kittens and Small Dogs - it was £25 but very solid and safe. No glues or nails etc . The hay house is from Amazon and gets chewed so is replaced regularly ! It’s about £12. Bobby is the ‘ cute little white one’ and is great fun , he hates being handled but puts up with ‘weigh in’ . Geoff is the ginger one and the quiet one that will tolerate anything .....including Bobby 🥰
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Thank you 😌💗
 
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