DIY cage build advice

[Olivitree]

Heya folks, so I'm building a large indoor set up, I'm creating a stand out of MDF and thats something I've worked with plenty, I hate it, but it's what I have a bunch of and I have built plenty out of it before.

HOWEVER the complicated part. I don't want to use MDF on the main cage/hutch parts as I know the guinea pigs will chew it and I know its full of nasty binders to keep the mdf fluff together. What wood would be the least harmful if they chewed a little of it? I'm going to do my best to prevent them doing that but I'm sure we all know what guinea pigs are like, they'll find a way to chew everything!

I'm also intending to completely water proof seal the bottom of the cage, for my frogs I'd use marine safe silicone, doesn't have the anti mould stuff in it so I was thinking that might be safe to use? I would hope the piggies wouldn't be able to gain access to it underneath their fleece bedding anyway but, again, we know what they're like.
What do folks think? whats the best/better options here?

Below is the current mock up I have, the piece above is a bit I'm going to slot in to divide up the cages. Topsection is cage frame, below section is the stands/tables for the cage frame.
It's a little smaller than I would like but unfortunately we have limited space where we are moving them to, they're going into a warmer room however so I'm feeling the reduction in space is worth being kept at 21 degrees rather than 18 or less! Sadly they're losing about 45cm of space which really sucks but I can't work out how to increase it and still have it fit the space. I might continue to fiddle with it, do some remeasuring, see what I can do, but I think its at least with in minimum bounds for each cage.
current design is: 71cm X 155cm X 45cm per separate cage
So total length amounts to 310cm if we were to remove the divider. (I'm hopeful to one day integrate them all together but I have doubts, neither of the pairs nor the loner don't really get along)
I'll be filling all the gaps in the cage frame with cube storage cage pieces from their current set up.
(we have two pairs of pigs, and a loner pig who doesn't want to get on with ANYONE who will go on the top whom I'm working out what to do with but will probably be in a temporary cage for the moment.)

 

[Swissgreys]

Wow - very creative!

I can't answer all of your questions but I will try to help.

Sealing the mdd can be done with any child safe paint and it will be fine for the piggies.
For all of ym animals I use child/pet safe paint designed to protect and waterproof outdoor items, furniture and wooden toys.
All DIY stores will ahve a pretty decent selection of brands, colours, etc.

For wood anything that isn't treated and is kiln dried would be fine.
Most woods are actually pretty safe, and hopefully if they do chew it will be more of a nibble than serious destruction.

 

[Olivitree]

Wow - very creative!

I can't answer all of your questions but I will try to help.

Sealing the mdd can be done with any child safe paint and it will be fine for the piggies.
For all of ym animals I use child/pet safe paint designed to protect and waterproof outdoor items, furniture and wooden toys.
All DIY stores will ahve a pretty decent selection of brands, colours, etc.

For wood anything that isn't treated and is kiln dried would be fine.
Most woods are actually pretty safe, and hopefully if they do chew it will be more of a nibble than serious destruction.

Brilliant! Thank you, I will see what I can find wood wise and for pet/child safe paints or treatments :3 kiln dried might be a little tricky just at the local DIY store but I'll see what they do, I may be surprised.
I'd hope just a nibble but I know over time they can make some big holes in things and I worry about build ups of toxic chemicals if they're chewing it over a long period of time.

 

[Black piggies]

It's great you're thinking so much about cage size and temperature. Sorry if I've misunderstood, but do you mean solo pig being alone on top of other cages? A solo pig needs live alongside, through bars, company. That way they greet, nose hop, squeak at each other, smell each other etc. Just hearing a piggy underneath isn't enough of a relationship.

 

[Olivitree]

It's great you're thinking so much about cage size and temperature. Sorry if I've misunderstood, but do you mean solo pig being alone on top of other cages? A solo pig needs live alongside, through bars, company. That way they greet, nose hop, squeak at each other, smell each other etc. Just hearing a piggy underneath isn't enough of a relationship.

Solo pig wont be solo for too long with any luck so will hopefully either go in with the last pair we haven't tried her with recently or we'll be getting her a friend.
Should be noted she really does have major problems other guinea pigs, I have very little hope for any bonds between the current pairs as she huffs and bares teeth if she meets them through the bars I would be seriously concerned about someone getting a lip caught if teeth clash.
Either the temp cage on top will become permanent with a new cage mate, or, HOPEFULLY she'll set aside her differences. But she isn't the friendliest guinea pig, not even with her previous cage mate, her poor sister had to put up with a lot of bullying and none of our other piggies have patience for that they stand up to her and she hasn't put up with that kind of pushing back at all so far. :/ I got a good chomp even through thick fabric last time I tried with one of our pairs and had to literally throw in the towel.

 

[Black piggies]

Solo pig wont be solo for too long with any luck so will hopefully either go in with the last pair we haven't tried her with recently or we'll be getting her a friend.
Should be noted she really does have major problems other guinea pigs, I have very little hope for any bonds between the current pairs as she huffs and bares teeth if she meets them through the bars I would be seriously concerned about someone getting a lip caught if teeth clash.
Either the temp cage on top will become permanent with a new cage mate, or, HOPEFULLY she'll set aside her differences. But she isn't the friendliest guinea pig, not even with her previous cage mate, her poor sister had to put up with a lot of bullying and none of our other piggies have patience for that they stand up to her and she hasn't put up with that kind of pushing back at all so far. :/ I got a good chomp even through thick fabric last time I tried with one of our pairs and had to literally throw in the towel.

Aw solo pig sounds fear aggressive and anxious. Glad you're thinking about her needs, despite the pain to you! I wonder whether it would be good to ask a local rescue for help with this tricky bonding. I've been worried about bites with live alongside pigs, but according to the experts on the site, it's extremely rare. Good luck, looks like the piggies will have a great cage.