New cage

[Puzzlepigs]

Hi there! My C&C grids arrived today, yippee! I have got the correx as well, so I'm all ready to go.. but.. I was wondering what size cage I should make. I currently have my piggies on megazorb (we are testing it), but we still have a nearly full bag of their old woodshavings. I made a 4x2 and it just about fit on the benches that my pigs' cage is on, but it looked as if I would have to use loads of bedding with it.

I'm not sure whether I should try using fleece, but the problem is that one of my piggies has really long claws, (she did when we got her) and I'm worried that she might get her claws stuck. She is a long haired piggy, we are thinking she is a peruvian, but we aren't 100 percent sure. We cut her claws regularly, but because they were so long when we got her, her front claws curl and you cannot seem to cut them to a reasonable length, because you would cut the quick. Does anybody have any advice? She is a perfectly happy piggy and has been for all the time we have had her, but I wanted to know if there was any solution.

We always take the pigs for regular check ups with the vets, weigh them each week and groom them every other day so they are both in very good health. The vet hasn't been able to suggest anything that we can do with her claws, so we just cut them down weekly, to make sure they don't get any longer.

So... back to the first question! Would a 4x2 (maybe with a 1x1 loft) be big enough for two pigs, or a 3x2 with 2x2 loft. I have the space to make a 4x2 and enough grids so I can make either.
Also, would you recommend using fleece (especially because of my long haired pig)?
Thanks I can't wait to get my pigs into the new cage!

 

[Floydie]

Why not give her a try on an old/cheep fleece before deciding to go for more expensive liners , that way if it doesnt work its not cost you alot.

 

[Pepperdog]

a 1x1 loft wouldnt be very big, could you do a 2 x 1?

Mine are all on fleece, I trim their claws as soon as I see them longer than their quicks (as in half longer again) and they dont have any problems catching them in the fleece. Theoretically each time you cut the nails close to the quick, the quick should receed - I have to say I did this for years with my dog and the quick remained far too long, plus its easier on a dog than a squiggly pig so not something I would recommend you do. All I would do is trim as far as you can without the nail remaining still being curly enough that it could cause problems.

 

[Connie]

I would definatly say go for a 2x4 if you have the space. I have a 2x3.5 and i wish id made it a 2x4... *sigh* The extra space is lovely.

I cant recomend fleece highly enough for indoor piggies.

 

[Puzzlepigs]

a 1x1 loft wouldnt be very big, could you do a 2 x 1?

Mine are all on fleece, I trim their claws as soon as I see them longer than their quicks (as in half longer again) and they dont have any problems catching them in the fleece. Theoretically each time you cut the nails close to the quick, the quick should receed - I have to say I did this for years with my dog and the quick remained far too long, plus its easier on a dog than a squiggly pig so not something I would recommend you do. All I would do is trim as far as you can without the nail remaining still being curly enough that it could cause problems.

Yes, sorry I actually meant to put 2x1 hay loft, 1x1 would be quite small. The trouble is, that Bingo's (long haired piggy) has brown front claws (the front are the ones that are long) and her back have white! Her back claws are fine and thy don't curl but the front do. I'm worried about inflicting pain on her if I do cut the quick, or her wriggling and me catching her foot! I have some old towels that I can put under fleece, so if I find any cheap, it might be worth trying. Thanks for all your help!

 

[Pepperdog]

I have one pig with all white feet, one with one brown, three white, and two with three dark and one white so I completely understand about the dark claws thing, it is difficult to know where to cut.

I did wonder why you were thinking of a 1x1

I got my towels from a charity shop, they sell "dog towels" which were old ones not very nice, but perfect for under fleece and wiping dirty dogs feet 8)

 

[Puzzlepigs]

Yes, sorry I actually meant to put 2x1 hay loft, 1x1 would be quite small. The trouble is, that Bingo's (long haired piggy) has brown front claws (the front are the ones that are long) and her back have white! Her back claws are fine and thy don't curl but the front do. I'm worried about inflicting pain on her if I do cut the quick, or her wriggling and me catching her foot! I have some old towels that I can put under fleece, so if I find any cheap, it might be worth trying. Thanks for all your help!

Sorry for my bad grammar, I actually meant to say that because Bingo's front claws are brown, I cannot see the quick when I clip them.