Downsizing cages ... would it be mean?

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Wheeky

Wheeky

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At the moment, I have two pairs of boars. They are housed in a big 6X3 C&C, which is split down the middle to make two separate 3X3s. It is lovely for them, because they have lots of space ... but in order to hoover underneath it, I have to dismantle it because it's just too big to move to one side. It's also a bit of a pain because there's really only one place I can put it and it limits where I can put the rest of my furniture.

The correx is a bit gungy and worn out from being cut, stuck and nibbled so often so I ordered some new sheets (which arrived yesterday) to re-do the cages with. My question is, would it be "mean" to make the new cages 2X4 rather than the 3X3 they are used to? Is 2X4 too small? I don't want to trigger any fall-outs.
 
I'm not an expert but I've always been told the bigger the better, for boars in particular.
Sure somebody will be on here soon to correct this if I'm wrong. :)
 
4x2 is the minimum recommended cage size for a pair of piggies, so I don't think that you would be too mean by changing it. They should still have enough space, but just make sure that you have plenty of hidey holes so each boar can have their own space :))
I, however, am not an indoor cage expert, so hopefully someone who is can offer a bit more advice :)
 
Two of my boars have a 2x4 and they love it, it's the minimum and it uses the same amount of grids and things, so I'm sure they wouldn't mind (:
 
My boar pair lived happily in a 120 but they are older and frankly lazy! Before that, I had them in a 2x4 C&C and they had plenty of room. It's longer than a 3x3 so they actually have more room to circuit and can get further apart by being at one end from each other than in a 3x3. So, I'd say that's fine.
 
considering a 3x2 or 120cm cage is the minimum for a pair moving to a 4x2 is no problem!

by boys went from 6x2 space to 4x2 space without a problem :-)
 
As long as you mean 4x2 each, and not 4x2 split in the middle then this should be fine!
 
Guinea pigs <3 said:
As long as you mean 4x2 each, and not 4x2 split in the middle then this should be fine!
Click to expand...

Yes, 4X2 each. :)

It sounds like it will be enough space then, especially as they get plenty of floor time, too.
It's the 3 cube width that has caused me most problems so slimming down to 2 and just making the cages longer will be ideal.
 
In real measurements a 4x2 c&c measures 146cm by 74cm, which is larger than a ferplast 140.

:)

With plenty of floor time too - you needn't worry.
 
Wheeky said:
Yes, 4X2 each. :)

It sounds like it will be enough space then, especially as they get plenty of floor time, too.
It's the 3 cube width that has caused me most problems so slimming down to 2 and just making the cages longer will be ideal.
Click to expand...

Yup sounds great!
 
Does anybody know what size I will need to make the correx tray for each 2X4? (I want to make two separate trays rather than one long 8X2 with a split).

I would put the cubes together and measure them myself, but they're already being used for the current cage.
 
Wheeky said:
Does anybody know what size I will need to make the correx tray for each 2X4? (I want to make two separate trays rather than one long 8X2 with a split).

I would put the cubes together and measure them myself, but they're already being used for the current cage.
Click to expand...

Tells you here, half way down. They added 6 inch sides http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm
 
I have just finished the new cages and the pigs are settled in. They haven't shouted at me yet so I assume they are satisfied with the results. :(|)
 
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