Salt & Vinegar's New Home!

Holly · 03-05-2008, 02:15 PM

Well my new piggy cage arrived this afternoon (freepost from zooplus) and I've got them all settled in earlier this evening

The cage is a Marchioro (same make as the Rene rat cage and the Jack 72 Hamster Resort), didn't realise this 'til it arrived and so far I'm well happy with the quality of all the bits and bits and pieces except for one thing - which I'll come to in a minute!

Here are Salt and Vinegar exploring their new home:

The rubbish thing is the ramps, they are far to flimsy, the bits where they attach don't work properly and I've had to tape them - and I think the boys find them too slippy. Soooo I'm on the lookout for better ramps, preferably wooden and preferably longer so they can be a little less steep. They seem ok with the one to the middle ledge and are using this all the time but they aren't happy with the one to the upper level.

I've found these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-24-x-8-Rabbit ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-18-x-6-Rabbit ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WOODEN-HUTCH-RAMP ... dZViewItem

Help! Which would be best????

Jane · 03-05-2008, 02:24 PM

Looks awesome! Bet they love it

I'm not sure about the ramp really..I love my ramps and they're really stable but they're made with grids (used to make C&C cages) do you'd end up buying a whole pack so I'm not sure what to suggest - sorry! I've heard of people using metal cooling racks to do it?

DonnaB · 03-05-2008, 02:27 PM

To be honest, I'd have a go at making new ramps, GP are so light you dont need thick wood. I have to use one for one of my buns to get in and out of his indoor hutch, he has spinal damage and I've found using a bit of carpet is far better for grip... how about glueing/tying some carpet onto the existing ramps as a trial, then you could maybe try adding a bit of an extension to make them less steep.

Great cage btw but I have heard of some GP's not using the ramps at all, so your half way there if they are using them alread. Good luck.

**Spuds Mum** · 03-05-2008, 03:47 PM

I dont know much Julie, but I know how creative you are about solving problems (eg gabber chewing) so I'm sure you'll get something sorted.

Talking of your Gabber solutions, could you possibly use the larger log bridge to make a wooden ramp for them? I notice you have one in the cage already! (But if you do try it, maybe steer clear of the hamster section wont you? or another introduction may be required!)

the cage looks really good otherwise though, I'm sure Salt and Vinegar like it

Bunsey · 03-05-2008, 04:52 PM

wow i love that cage! i used to have 30 guinea pigs and i made my own ramps.... i say I... infact my parents made them for me

They didn't do much stuff for piggies then, so we made our own hay racks out of hanging baskets. I had 4 hutches with ramps down into the run made out of wood with other wood rungs nailed on. Pigs aren't good with plastic. i tried plastic steps and they jumped on, slid and fell off the other side! (whilst on the topic of funny things, i made a house out of cardboard and didn't make the door wide enough so one pig was walking around with a house on it's back like a turtle shell!)