Which cage?!

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Furry_Friend

Hi,

I have 4 guineas that are currently living in a 2 tiered hutch in the garden. I would like to bring them in for the winter and have been looking at cages.

What do you all think of these:

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_cage/13323

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_cage/13325

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_cage/13324

I would love to know your thoughts. I don't have much floor space so I am going for a cage with multi levels. Do you think that will be ok for them?

Thanks :)
 
how much floor space do you have? Length and Width ?

Personally i wouldnt use the money to buy one of these cages... The overall amount of usable space in them isnt much and i dont think piggies cope well with plastic ramps (althought you could glue carpet to them i suppose)...those cages are more for rats in my opinion...:)
Plus plastic is slippery so a piggie could have more accidents and fall off the ramps and maybe evn down 3 floors? (no idea how or where the ramps go thruogh the floor on those though)

For about £40 you could make a good C and C cage with a second level which would give them more space...
I'm sure people who have them will post pictures for you and give you advice on how much space you will need for 4 piggies...

I have a dog crate which i have added an extra floor onto just because i can move the cage without any problem to clean around it...
 
i personally dont like these cages, i agree with Jane and i believe they are more geared towards rats.

I havent much room but i use a c&c cage, www.guineapigcages.com for how to do it and piccies, and if you search the forum you can see all of ours.
 
c & c cages are great, but as we have 3 dogs and 2 cats I worry about the pigs safety. So I am going to be buying a more 'traditional' cage, but I'll be getting the ferplast 120 rabbit cage, for 2 pigs.

Do the pigs have to live together? because you could get two cages and put two in each, maybe they could be next to each other so they could still see and smell each other?
 
starla said:
c & c cages are great, but as we have 3 dogs and 2 cats I worry about the pigs safety. So I am going to be buying a more 'traditional' cage, but I'll be getting the ferplast 120 rabbit cage, for 2 pigs.

Do the pigs have to live together? because you could get two cages and put two in each, maybe they could be next to each other so they could still see and smell each other?
Click to expand...


we have a dog and still the c&c cage, we put the grids up high and if you like you can close it off, as lots of people have closed ages in c&c - but obviously its your personal choice if you feel safer with another type of cage.

I wouldnt suggest the ones above still though as they are more for rats.
 
These cages are not suitable for piggies. Piggies are not natural climbers and they need horizontal space to run laps and popcorn. A cage with multiple levels and little floor space on each one won't let them do this. Some may not use the ramps at all and be stuck on one level.
 
they're gorgeous cages, but just not suitable to guinea pigs! sorry! can you seperate to two pairs?
 
daftscotslass said:
These cages are not suitable for piggies. Piggies are not natural climbers and they need horizontal space to run laps and popcorn. A cage with multiple levels and little floor space on each one won't let them do this. Some may not use the ramps at all and be stuck on one level.
Click to expand...

this is true - i have an upper level and my piggies do use this to sleep in my they have plenty of floor space to run and popcorn on - this wouldnt be enough for 4 pigs.
 
I think the blue Tommy 82 T3 Pet Cage looks ok i guess but i'm not sure about the ramps. Those cages are more from rats, hamsters, chinchilla's i think.
 
Thank you all for the advice.

I am now looking at possible housing them in our shed in a long hutch that gives them plenty of floor space. Obviously, I will make sure that they are well insulated and I may even put a heater in the shed.

Do you think this is ok? I will allow them free runs in the house every day.

Thanks again.
 
A heated shed is a good idea, the only thing is you will need to keep them outside for the winter i think... Bringing them inside from outside then outside again can give them a chill which is not good for a piggy!

If they have a large hutch inside a big shed they should be fine for the winter...:)
 
like jane says, you can't really house them in the shed then bring them in, as it's not good for them. They must either be in or out [in shed] for winter.

They should be fine in a well insulated shed though, lots of blankets round the hutch, i also put bubblewrap around mine! and stick a heater on, radio and usually have the lights on early evening so they get a bit of extra light
 
What they both said. Either you have them in the house and are able to give them lots of attention or you go outside and play with them in the shed because it can cause serious health problems if you bring them from cooler temperatures to warmer and vice versa.
 
starla said:
like jane says, you can't really house them in the shed then bring them in, as it's not good for them. They must either be in or out [in shed] for winter.

They should be fine in a well insulated shed though, lots of blankets round the hutch, i also put bubblewrap around mine! and stick a heater on, radio and usually have the lights on early evening so they get a bit of extra light
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice guys.

I would probably let them have floor time in the shed to be honest.

Is your heater connected to the mains of the house? Silly question I know but I was just trying to figure out how I would get one in there! :red
 
WIth the heater you need one where the piggies cannot get to it or it cannot fall onto the piggies either...

I think your best bet is to forgo the heater and either double skim the bottom walls of the shed with plywood and use carpet etc to cover the hutch with... It is not so much the cold that kills piggies ( i have had a piggie live outside for 6 years, all her life with no problems)... it is the draught and damp...

They will need lots and lots of hay to snuggle into as well and as long as you keep them dry and snuggly they should be fine...;):)
 
Thank you so much for the advice...I just worry about my little ones!

I'll try and get some offcuts of carpet this weekend :)
 
Furry_Friend said:
Thanks for the advice guys.

I would probably let them have floor time in the shed to be honest.

Is your heater connected to the mains of the house? Silly question I know but I was just trying to figure out how I would get one in there! :red
Click to expand...
My piggies live in an unheated shed - I just give them a snugglesafe each at night and plenty of hay to snuggle in and when its really cold cover their hutches with quilts - well I did last winter anyway - usually buy new quilts and then the piggies have the old ones.:))
 
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