Covering cage

[nlkiser198343]

Should I keep part of my cage covered with blanket. I read there cage should be partially covered because they fear birds. There's no birds in my house tho. Lol

 

[Piggies&buns]

Keeping part of the cage covered for new piggies makes them feel secure. It can help when settling new and shy piggies. It does not need to be kept covered permanently once they have settled in and realise they are safe.

They fear being attacked from above so it doesn’t matter that there aren’t birds of prey flying around the house, it’s anything which they perceive as an aerial threat. A person towering over their cage would be seen as a threat to them - initially they don’t know their owner isn’t going to eat them, all they know is a creature bigger than them has come close. Things such as always speaking as you approach the cage helps settle them because a predator would approach silently

 

[Ruth1]

Covering one end definitely helped mine relax when they first arrived. And also as above - I was surprised at the way they were more freaked out by sudden silent movement than they were by just moving about them normally and chatting to them. Patience will pay off

 

[nlkiser198343]

Should I keep part of my cage covered with blanket. I read there cage should be partially covered because they fear birds. There's no birds in my house tho. Lol

I've been having there hay covered side of the cage covered and the other side has 3 different hidey houses. I also figured it would help with any draft coming through

 

[Cheekypigs]

I've always kept a covered section in my guinea pig cages so that they have a place to run to. If you have hideys with roofs, that fulfils the same role.

With new guinea pigs, or if my pigs are a bit stressed or crazy or bickering too much, I will cover more of the cage. They are more settled if it's darker.

 

[Ruth1]

I made two tents for one end. Mine like this - they have their own room if they like and also they are big enough for two, in the event that they briefly want to sit together.

 

[Cheekypigs]

As a general principle, guinea pigs like the dark, and will be happier and more comfortable if they have some nice dark spaces to hide in.

 

[nlkiser198343]

I made two tents for one end. Mine like this - they have their own room if they like and also they are big enough for two, in the event that they briefly want to sit together.

I have a plastic piggy igloo, a machine washable cozy house, and a slotted fiddle stick house for the hatter days. The guinea dad liner I was looking at has a pig pocket for them to snuggle into but I need a better washer first