Not a C&C cage

[shades]

Hi,

As I can't get C&C and cubes are not cheap anyway, I've just built my own cage for our two guinea pigs.

Tools:
Saw
Drill ( I used electric but manual will do)
Tape measure
Pencil
Good hands!
Hammer

Materials
Wood lengths
Chicken wire
Screws
Nail gun
U-Nails

Time taken:
1-2 days including breaks

Internal measurements:
1m*1m*40cm

Cost:
Not much for materials and free labour

It really wasn't a difficult task. You just need patience and clear thought to cut accurately. Sure, it's not perfect, but what's a few millimetres here and there. It fits together and it's very sturdy. And can be moved around if required. Cleaning is OK - Just change the fleece every few days. 

Please bear with me for the photos. I'm trying to upload to a photo sharing site....

[shades]

Here are the links to the photos:

[bobbieszoo]

Very nice! We always did home made ones too when I was younger. Looks like they are lovin' it. Good job!

[3piggles]

Excellent Love the tubes, big open hay area, and happy pigs enjoying the cage Your piggies are adorable That's going to be great for the pigs, and you can add lofts if you want, later. I only mention that because once we catch the cave creating bug, it's hard to rein in our enthusiasm. We constantly look at the cage thinking about what we do I'm a great proponent of building cages, but people who live in apartments, aren't handy or don't have the tools and space, can't do that. Also, the C&C parts are usually readily available.

This is my current cage. Prefab melamine boards, tile board backing, white plastic channels for deck thatching:

This was the first cage we built in this house, 2005. It's 2.5 pieces of plywood covered with self adhesive floor tile, heavy duty casters on the bottom to move it for cleaning, and external deck/stair pieces for the supports. The blue fleece is covering a ramp like the one with colored tubes giving them access to the room. Draping a fleece over the ramp made a hidey tent under the ramp. They were free-roaming pigs:


My easiest cage ever, just supports around the wall of a closet, plywood base, the same deck thatching U channels in green, and grids:



It's nice to have another cage builder. I hope you have as much fun shopping building stores for ideas, as I have It's easy when you see the pigs enjoying the cage so much

[cavylady]

wow cool cages everyone!

[3piggles]

It's like an addiction, cavylady

[cavylady]

Haha I never got to create my own always connected Midwest cages together but it sounds really fun!

[shades]

Thanks to everyone for your positive comments.

[shades]

3piggles

Your tube ramps look great. What did you make them from? They look quite steep too. What angle did you find is OK for the gps to get up and down safely?

[Bean]

Fantastic job, Shades! The cage looks great. I lack good hands and patience, so yours is infinitely superior to anything I'd knock up!

Lovely to see your cages again too, 3piggles.

[3piggles]

The plastic tubes are called Ferret Funnels, and come in connectible straight, T and elbow sections, in varying colors. I bought mine at Petco, originally, but have seen then on many sites. Because I'm terrified of snakes, I no longer go into Petco or Petsmart, but I see no reason why the funnels aren't still sold in the stores. I have crates of them, so really want to use them for ramps again
www.sears.com/topdawg-pet-supplies-crittertrail-pak-8pc/p-SPM214202223?hlSellerId=8370&sid=IDx20110310x00001i&kpid=SPM7756534322&kispla=SPM7756534322

These critter trails come in large sizes for ferrets/guinea pigs, and small sizes for hamsters/gerbils/etc. Make sure you get the large ones, which are 4" in diameter.

The connectors are plastic, so I put the board underneath the ramp to give it rigidity. The funnels have ridges inside to make it easy for the pigs to get purchase with their feet, and because light penetrates the plastic easily, the pigs aren't afraid to use the tubes.

I did try a cheaper version of PVC pipe with holes in it, and had to drill larger holes to let in enough light for the pigs not to be scared to use the tubes. These pipes and the more expensive PVC pipes also have elbows and Ts, and are a lot less expensive than the funnels.