C&C cages are standard within the guinea pig world, and there’s no marvel why! They’re simply the most affordable cage you’ll discover, they are often expanded simply in case your piggies want extra space otherwise you add to your herd, and so they’re extraordinarily customizable.
A C&C guinea pig cage is low-cost and simple to arrange following a number of easy steps. Merely lower the Coroplast to dimension, rating it with the intention to fold up the slides of the cage, and duct tape it collectively. Then, zip tie the cubes collectively and tie them to the Coroplast for added safety.
On this article, we’ll discuss how one can construct a C&C guinea pig cage from begin to end, and the way a lot it is going to value.
What’s a C&C Guinea Pig Cage?
C&C stands for cubes and Coroplast, the place the cubes have been initially bought as storage organizer cabinets and Coroplast is a sheet of corrugated plastic.
The plastic sheet is lower, scored, and folded to make the bottom of the cage. The cubes are then lined up across the edges, zip tied collectively, and secured to the bottom to make the cage partitions.
Easy methods to Make a C&C Guinea Pig Cage
1. Buy Cubes
Cubes for a C&C cage needs to be 14 inches on all sides and a minimum of 9 squares throughout. Lower than 9 squares, and your piggies may be capable to get their heads caught within the grids and even escape!
When you’ve got child guinea pigs, getting cubes with even smaller grids or layering them in order that the gaps are half as massive could also be required till they’re older.
C&C cubes have been initially bought as shelving, and also you may be capable to get a greater deal in case you seek for shelving items quite than C&C grids–there’s typically a mark-up on those bought as pet merchandise.
You will discover them at many huge field shops, and likewise online.
* guinea pigs are extremely social and needs to be adopted in non-breeding teams or pairs
2. Buy Coroplast
Most individuals buy massive sheets of coroplast from a ironmongery store. Of those frequent in my space, I’ve discovered that solely House Depot appears to promote the massive 4’x8’ sheets–however you might need higher luck procuring round than I did!
In any other case, you can even duct tape the Coroplast collectively–however utilizing huge sheets tends to be simpler.
3. Measure and Lower Your Coroplast
That is possible going to be essentially the most tough step within the course of. First, determine how massive you need your cage to be and the way tall you need all sides to be.
Having tall partitions on the again and sides prevents hay and poop from falling behind the cage, the place it may be tough to wash commonly. This can even forestall your guinea pigs from spraying urine outdoors of the cage and onto your partitions and different objects.
Many individuals want to have a shorter wall within the entrance, although, in order that they will see their piggies!
I recommend sketching out a diagram on a bit of paper first in order that you realize precisely what you need, then utilizing a pencil to sketch it onto the Coroplast itself.
After you have this achieved, you may lower it right down to dimension–bear in mind to maintain the partitions hooked up to the bottom, as this may make assembling the cage a lot simpler.
4. Rating the Coroplast
Subsequent, use a knife or field cutter to attain the locations the place your cage base meets the partitions. You don’t wish to lower throughout–simply sufficient with the intention to fold the partitions upward.
You’ll additionally want to chop the corners of every aspect in order that they will be a part of collectively correctly.
5. Duct Tape the Cage Base Collectively
We’re virtually completed making the Coroplast base! All that’s left is to fold up the perimeters and tape them collectively.
If you happen to’ve had to make use of a number of items of Coroplast to make a large enough base, or to get the form you’re on the lookout for, you’ll additionally wish to tape these collectively in order that nothing slips beneath the flap the place they join.
6. Join the Cubes
Now, take your cubes and use them to line the surface of your Coroplast base. Add zip ties as you go or after the cubes are all collectively–it’s as much as you, however zip tying all of them collectively on the high and backside is crucial.
This can maintain the cage collectively and is way sturdier than the connectors that include the cubes–although you should utilize these as effectively in case you’d like.
I additionally suggest punching a number of holes within the Coroplast and utilizing zip ties to attach it to the cubes.
7. Add Bedding
In my view, the perfect bedding choices for guinea pigs are fleece and chenille tub mats. Do not forget that the bedding ought to include three layers:
- a high layer that wicks away moisture,
- an absorbent layer,
- and a water-proof backside layer.
The Coroplast within the cage can depend as your waterproof layer.
Fleece liners typically include wicking and absorbent layers already stitched collectively, although you might need to wick the material earlier than use.
In any other case, you may layer depraved fleece on high and an absorbent layer resembling u-haul liners or reusable pet pee pads on the underside. The identical goes for tub mats.
In fact, disposable bedding can also be an choice. Ensure to decide on one which’s guinea-pig protected, dust-free, and fragrance-free.
Pack the bedding down together with your arms and ensure it measures a minimum of 2-3 inches when compact. This ensures it is going to wick moisture to the underside, which is able to act as your absorbent layer.
8. Add Your Piggies’ Gadgets!
Lastly, it’s time for the enjoyable half: establishing the cage with your entire piggies’ stuff! Ensure to incorporate a minimum of one water bottle and conceal per guinea pig.
Place down both a hay pile or hay bag with holes massive sufficient to your guinea pig to climb by fully. Piggies have gotten caught in smaller holes, and those too small for them to get their heads into make accessing the hay tough.
Different objects to contemplate are a litter field, toys, pee pads, and pellet bowls. (Pellet bowls being elective as a result of you may at all times scatter feed for added enrichment!)
How A lot Does a C&C Cage for Guinea Pigs Price?
C&C cages will virtually at all times be your least expensive choice for a guinea pig cage. Home made cages are the most affordable as you’ll solely want to purchase the cubes and Coroplast.
You will discover the cubes you’ll want for round $30 for a small set. This needs to be sufficient for a cage that meets minimal necessities, however some individuals select to purchase extra to offer an even bigger house.
A big (4’x8’) sheet of coroplast additionally prices round $30, so you may count on to pay a minimum of $60-$70 to your C&C cage–maybe extra if you would like it to be bigger than the minimal.
If you happen to don’t wish to spend time studying how one can construct a C&C cage and making it your self, you can even purchase pre-cut Coroplast cage bases, or buy a complete cage set from locations just like the Guinea Pig Cages Store or Kavee Cages.
Take into account that these will nonetheless require meeting; the Coroplast is simply lower and scored so that you can prevent a while.
You’ll additionally must buy zip ties individually and use them to attach the cubes for safety. With out this step, the cage will not be protected to your piggies to stay in.
For example, multi-story cages have been identified to break down and kill guinea pigs. Your pigs may additionally be capable to escape multi or single-level cages and get into mischief.
