The Movable, Self-Catering Guinea Pig Cage.

Gnome.SmilingThis Guinea Pig Cage is an attempt to get our cute, furry friends to fend for themselves by giving them a two-floor enclosure protected from nasties like vampire bats, doggies, kitties and even the odd goose or gander that is feeling violent.  The bottom floor allows access to ground cover in the garden, which in our case is mostly perennial peanut (Arachis pintoi).  Their droppings pass through the half-inch welded wire first floor onto the ground to act as fertilizer.  The cage is movable so that there is fresh food available every day and the movement also stops parasites from building up where the piggies live.

The frame of the cage is made with one inch stuff.  I used Nargusta because that is what I have lying around.  I liked the idea of making proper joints (mortar and tenon, etc.), the reality however, is that I had some old woodscrews left over from ages ago and decided to use them up before they became unusable.   Half-inch welded wire was used for the floor and walls and old bits of construction ply-wood for wind-breaks and bracing.

The List (Pieces are made from 1″ x 1″):

  • 7 pieces 10 feet long.
  • 3 pieces 4.5 feet long.
  • 11 pieces 4 feet long.
  • 12 pieces 2 feet long.
  • 3 pieces 1 foot long.
  • 12 pieces cut at 45 degrees so that piggie dropping don’t collect.
  • A roll of half-inch welded-wire,
  • Some Shade Cloth.
  • Couple of sheets of roofing tin.

This project is at the “knocking together” level of skill.  It is ideal for when you are bored, have Guinea Pigs, are tired of constantly finding food for them, their present cages are falling apart, you have bits of wood, zinc and wire lying around and are feeling cheap.  If you get everything brand new, it would probably be expensive and not worth it.  I’d expect (and be happy) for this cage to last from two or three years (in this climate, with termites, rot and whatnot this is good).

This photograph gives the basic frame:

Side View of Future Piggie Five Star Accommodation, $900 per night!
Side View of Future Piggie Five Star Accommodation, $900 per night!

Then we move to adding a bit of plywood, wire and more frame:

Its the second day of construction for the Piggie Gran Sapphire ($1000 per night)!
Its the second day of construction for the Piggie Gran Sapphire ($1000 per night)!

You can’t see it well but I’ve added bits of wood at the edges and in the middle that have been cut at 45 degrees to let the droppings fall through.

Bad Weather and Union Trouble Has Delayed Construction of the Piggie Four Seasons Hotel ($1100 per night)!
Bad Weather and Union Trouble Has Delayed Construction of the Piggie Four Seasons Hotel ($1100 per night)!

The wire floor, last bits of frame, piggies, shade cloth and roof come next…

 

The Famous Turtle-Blancanoux-Bel-Campo-Wild-Orchid Hotel/Spa/Resort for the Discerning Piggie in its full glory ($2000 per night!).
The Famous Turtle-Blancanoux-Bel-Campo-Wild-Orchid Hotel/Spa/Resort for the Discerning Piggie in its full glory ($2000 per night!).
Satisfied Customers at our New Resort, enjoying the organic, farm fresh produce for dinner.
Satisfied Customers at our New Resort, enjoying the organic, farm fresh produce for dinner.

 

And that is it.  Simple, cheap, knocked together, piece of **** that saves some work when you are responsible for looking after cute and furry animals.

So, if you are BORED IN BELIZE, make a cage out of junk around your farm.

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