New enclosure question for new boars

[larnanoomia]

Hi

We rehomed our two boars 1 week a go and they came with nothing so we have them in a playpen with liners. It is 3ft x 6ft.
We have two children who regularly feed them to get them used to us and we want them higher off the ground for ease of the children feeding them & for me when I clean the enclosure.

I know piggies take two weeks to settle into their new home. How long would you recommend before putting them in a new enclosure? I was thinking I could transfer their liners with their scent on straight into the new enclosure so its not 'new smelling' thats my first question.

My second question is we are looking at a 8 x 2 c&c cage but it comes with a hefty price tag at around £300 but with two boars they need the space and It's an investment. The grids are 35cm high and the guinea pigs would be off the ground. Would I need the c&c cage with a lid on - if they got excited with food packets etc would they try and jump out? Not sure if we need the lids or not.

I have attached the cage we want.
Thank you

 

[Lorcan]

You can buy those grids separately, I use the Songmics grids on Amazon, and they'll come with the connectors you'll need although I'd advise getting cable ties too, they're invaluable.

For the correx you can by it separately too although I use tarp sheets, so I can't help you there.

 

[Roselina]

Hello how lovely to rehome your Guinea pigs
They sound like they’re settling well
Kavee is very expensive I’d check out
Standard Cages Archives - C and C Guinea Pig Cages
I have a 2 x 5 for my two boars - I have a lid as I have a dog and even tho he shows no interest I’m not taking any chances !
I also sometimes have the french doors open ( my pigs are in the dining room) so altho I’m always there it takes away any risk.
My two have never attempted to jump out but lids on any loft areas would be needed.
I have it raised and use the underneath for storage - it’s a real help for cleaning out etc
I also have clear Perspex panels on the front
Definitely put their smell fleece/liners in the new set up as it’ll feel like home and always leave something that smells of them inside when you clean out.
The link below gives you lots of info and I’m sure others will be along to offer advice and show their set ups
Housing, Bedding & Seasonal Care Guides

 

[Piggies&buns]

Whenever you put them in a new territory you will set them off into a two week reestablishing period - so there is no right time to do it as such, as it’s going to happen regardless. The extent to which it affects them is very pair dependent - in some more sensitive pairs, even the routine cage cleaning will set them off (hence it is our advice to never clean the whole cage at once).

The advice is to use the soiled bedding - as you have already noted - as it can help minimise the disruption to them.

Most piggies will not attempt to get out of a standard c&c cage, so generally speaking the lids aren’t necessary. Mine never have tried
However, again piggy dependent! But, we do advise that you might not want to put hides to the edge just in case they on top of hides and can then potentially get out.

It is cheaper to buy the grids and correx separately but less convenient than a full cage kit!

 

[Roselina]

As Lorcan said cable ties are essential !!

 

[fluffysal]

Another songmics grid user here. Sets like this cost about £30, you set them up however you want using plenty of zip ties. My first set up had interlocking foam floor mats instead of correx (well covered with fleeces of course)

 

[Sweet Potato]

I have my boars in a 3x4 c&c cage on a table with no lid and have never had an issue. My boys are climbers though so I don't put hides they could climb on next the sides of the cage. I think the lids are more for if you have other pets that you want to keep out like cats dogs or children.

I would keep a close eye on them for the first little while see how their bond is after cage cleans etc. If you're not seeing too much disruption after a cage clean I don't think there's much to worry about with a new cage. Boars will be boars and a little bit of grumbling and chasing is normal.

 

[flowerfairy]

I used c and c grids on ikea table tops when I had a herd of 7 (six sows and a neutered boar). I bought the grids and correx online (amazon and ebay respectively).

I later splashed out on pink correx all cut to shape from kavee and some lovely liners!

Best of luck with your boars. Lucky boys having so much space.