Creating A More Natural Cage

[echo]

Hi, I didn't really know where to put this, I hope this is a suitable place.

What is a guinea pig's natural habitat like? I've tried image searching, but with no results. I want to create a more natural cage for them, so they get simulation as they would in the wild. So, any ideas?

 

[Wiebke]

Firstly, our guinea pigs are a several thousand years old domesticated species the same as sheep, cattle, chicken or horses, but they still have most of their instincts intact.

Wild guinea pigs like to make use of an abandoned set or several within their roaming territory as a base for grazing and they will move quite a distance to and from that base at need, as a recent German study has shown. I mimic this by my "mezzanines"; wooden frames with a top that lifts off for cleaning and poo patrol purposes. I often have hideys or little side chambers inside the sleeping area to accommodate all preferences.

I am trying with my own cages to mimic that in a domestic setting. Of course, there are limits to what you can do, but I want my own groups to live as full a pigy life as possible first and then be pets second.

 

[sophieandhoney]

Oh Wiebke!

Your set ups are always so amazing, I remember when I first joined being envious of your layout and every time you post pictures I go and give my guinea pigs a cuddle and some cucumber by way of an apology for not giving them a better cage.

 

[smileyface:)]

amazing Wiebke! - thats some size - over such a large area do you remove and change all the fleeces at once or do you stagger the removal of them, if you know what I mean!

 

[guineabecs]

Amazing set up!!

 

[Wiebke]

amazing Wiebke! - thats some size - over such a large area do you remove and change all the fleeces at once or do you stagger the removal of them, if you know what I mean!

If possible I stagger and do the table cages in one day and then the groundfloor pens on the next, but for visitors or holidays I can do it all in one (very busy) day if necessary.

 

[smileyface:)]

If possible I stagger and do the table cages in one day and then the groundfloor pens on the next, but for visitors or holidays I can do it all in one (very busy) day if necessary.

I'm sure you love busying with them - if you're like me you probably enjoy the cleaning bit, weirdly! lol

 

[echo]

Wiebke, your cages are amazing! Thanks for replying.

 

[Twinkletoes]

Wow I just about find time to clean my 2x3 cage with a run due to work and family social life and other commitments. How on earth do you find time to spend with your piggys with so much cage cleaning.
Lovely

 

[biscandmatt]

definitely add a hay area to forage in, rather than just putting hay in a hayrack. they love to forage and burrow in hay. you can hide dried herbs in there aswell for them to find.