Thinking of changing living arrangements

[weepweeps]

Hiya. I’m in need of advice. I’m thinking of changing Pepper and Pebbles living arrangements.

The reasons behind this decision is that now my two children have both left home this year I have to rely on my 88 year old mother in law to look after the piggies and Chester when I go away on holiday. Another reason is I have a bad back and am awaiting fusion surgery in the next year so will need help after this procedure for many months as I won’t be able to bend, lift or twist for many months.

What I’m thinking of doing is permanently rehousing Pepper and Pebble into their ferplast 160 cage. The positives for doing this are that there will be no bottom level to clean out. So that will help with the bending issues both MIL and I have and also I think it will be easier to keep clean.

I have two concerns:

1 the boys fall out
2 they have enough space in the 160

What’s your thoughts on this plan.

Other options are taking the piggies to my daughters house. Which is fine but it wouldn’t solve the long term problem for me and I’d still be struggling.

Thank you

 

[piggieminder]

Some thoughts!
I used a 160 cage for years for several pairs of boars and they were fine.
I can't remember what your boys are in now, if they are going a lot smaller it may cause them to fall out it depends on their bond. They might get a bit off with each other for a bit because of the change but not actually fall out.
How do they normally react when they go in the 160? If they are okay with it they should be fine as they are used to it.
The only way you will know is to try it.
Sometimes we have to put ourselves and our health first and if it will be better for your back and for your MIL then I would try it.

 

[Roselina]

Good luck I hope it’ll work out just fine

 

[poggle]

Would a C&C on a double stand be an option as well? I'm 5'5" and find this a good height for cleaning; no bending, just a little stretch to get the back.

I can't remember what your piggies are in currently so apologies if this entirely useless!

 

[weepweeps]

Would a C&C on a double stand be an option as well? I'm 5'5" and find this a good height for cleaning; no bending, just a little stretch to get the back.

I can't remember what your piggies are in currently so apologies if this entirely useless!

I’d love a c&c but I have Chester so would want something dog proof.

 

[weepweeps]

I have this



Does anyone know if I can join another extension to it?



So two extensions?

 

[piggieminder]

@Bill & Ted I think you know about extensions on these cages? See above post!

 

[weepweeps]

Well I’ve done it. So far so good.




How do people fix water bottles on? Mine seem a bit wobbly. Thanks.

 

[weepweeps]

I might get another section if I feel it’s too small for them.

 

[piggieminder]

That looks great.
I don't have that type of cage now but I used to use the metal holders and springs like the ones that come with the glass bottles. I have now got C&C cages and have discovered some wonderful holders by a company on etsy called Buttercup. These are expensive but worth every penny, no fiddling with wires or springs, you just lift the bottle in and out. I'm sure they would fit onto that type of bar as well as the C&C grids.

 

[weepweeps]

Great. Thanks for that. I’ll take a look.

Pepper had a little drink but it was a bit wobbly and possibly a bit too high as well.

 

[piggl]

Looks really cute!

The animal sanctuary I volunteer at also use bottles with metal holders and springs and they work great, and are much more flexible than the plain metal/plastic holder.

 

[piggieminder]

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/927...rch2_top_narrowing_intent_modules_top_rated-3

 

[weepweeps]

 

[weepweeps]

That looks great.
I don't have that type of cage now but I used to use the metal holders and springs like the ones that come with the glass bottles. I have now got C&C cages and have discovered some wonderful holders by a company on etsy called Buttercup. These are expensive but worth every penny, no fiddling with wires or springs, you just lift the bottle in and out. I'm sure they would fit onto that type of bar as well as the C&C grids.

I’ve taken a look and they seem very good. But how do you secure them to grids/cages.

 

[Betsy]

I have Misty and Bramble in a Ferplast 120 and I use bottle springs from ebay for attaching the bottles to the cage.

 

[weepweeps]

I have Misty and Bramble in a Ferplast 120 and I use bottle springs from ebay for attaching the bottles to the cage.

I’ll have a look thanks.

 

[piggieminder]

They have little plastic screws at the back with 2 plates that go either side of the bars. Once they are in position you don't need to move them again as the bottles just slide in and out of the holder.

 

[piggl]

Never used these but I have seen people use them before - Amazon.co.uk

 

[weepweeps]

They have little plastic screws at the back with 2 plates that go either side of the bars. Once they are in position you don't need to move them again as the bottles just slide in and out of the holder.

View attachment 235454

Brilliant. Thanks for the photo x

 

[weepweeps]

Never used these but I have seen people use them before - Amazon.co.uk

Thanks I’ll have a look

 

[Hannah_xx]

They look
Very happy and settled in their new above ground apartment!

 

[weepweeps]

They have little plastic screws at the back with 2 plates that go either side of the bars. Once they are in position you don't need to move them again as the bottles just slide in and out of the holder.

View attachment 235454

Where did you get the back plates from? I can’t see them on their website. Thanks

 

[piggieminder]

Where did you get the back plates from? I can’t see them on their website. Thanks

They come with the holders, they make holders with screws for wooden cages and the ones with back plates for wire cages.



This is the picture that comes with the cage ones. Sorry I couldn't work out how to copy the details. You can see the plate on the one on the left, they have it side ways not the way up I had it. I ordered another one last week and accidently ordered the one for wood. I've managed to attach it with a cable tie!

 

[Bill & Ted]

Sorry @weepweeps completely missed your post. What with Covid, then the cataract op
I managed to join a 140 and 160 Plaza together when I had Ted, Posh and Ginger in an L shape. I had to cut down one of those separations to do it and buy a little bridge but it worked quite well. I can see your boys are very settled though in their new cage

 

[weepweeps]

Sorry @weepweeps completely missed your post. What with Covid, then the cataract op
I managed to join a 140 and 160 Plaza together when I had Ted, Posh and Ginger in an L shape. I had to cut down one of those separations to do it and buy a little bridge but it worked quite well. I can see your boys are very settled though in their new cage

That’s ok. Thanks for the reply. I hope you are recovering well. I’ve got Covid at the moment. Not too bad though.

Yes the boys are absolutely fine in the 160. I was stressing that it wouldn’t be big enough but they seem fine. I do have a 140 too. Not
sure I want to adapt it just in case I need it. Thanks again.

 

[Merab]

That’s ok. Thanks for the reply. I hope you are recovering well. I’ve got Covid at the moment. Not too bad though.

Yes the boys are absolutely fine in the 160. I was stressing that it wouldn’t be big enough but they seem fine. I do have a 140 too. Not
sure I want to adapt it just in case I need it. Thanks again.

Sorry you’re not well.
Hope you recover quickly

 

[Bill & Ted]

That’s ok. Thanks for the reply. I hope you are recovering well. I’ve got Covid at the moment. Not too bad though.

Yes the boys are absolutely fine in the 160. I was stressing that it wouldn’t be big enough but they seem fine. I do have a 140 too. Not
sure I want to adapt it just in case I need it. Thanks again.

Hope you are better soon. Yes, they sound absolutely fine in their 160 cm, Bill and Ted were fine in one too (They were fine in a 120 cm originally)