Aviary (corral) for a guinea pig – purchased and made by yourself

Guinea pigs are hardy rodents. But if the content is not comfortable for the pet, then this will negatively affect his well-being. Often the animal is placed in a cramped cage. Limited space can be detrimental to the animal. The most optimal solution is to make an aviary for a guinea pig with your own hands. This is within the power of any breeder at home.

Why an aviary?

Small cages will never allow your pet to satisfy his need for the desired activity. Moreover, the bars in the cage can cause danger to the teeth and lips of the animal – guinea pigs often gnaw on metal rods. The owners wonder why this is happening, because everything you need is there. Water and food in unlimited quantities.

But they don’t realize that the animal is under stress from the confined space and falls into psychosis. The tightness has a depressing effect on his psyche. The guinea pig may become lethargic. Sometimes he starts to eat a lot or, conversely, loses his appetite. Therefore, experienced and caring breeders equip the so-called pens for their pet in the apartment. So that the rodent does not feel like a prisoner, a spacious aviary is purchased or made by hand.

What are aviaries

Aviaries can have a different “interior”. You can make original tunnels and pipes so that the animal can run and hide along them. It is often made from cork oak. Guinea pigs like different bridges. They can be made from bark. In the corral, you can place ceramic toys, wicker baskets.

It is better to put an absorbent diaper on the floor in the aviary. Old linoleum will do. You can throw pieces of an old natural rug. Do not forget to sanitize all this in a timely manner.

It is important to know that plastic items are banned. A rodent can start to gnaw on such a toy and get hurt.

Country aviary

In the summer, often the pet is taken to the country. To make the animal feel comfortable there, he will need a built pen. The animal will be able to be in the air and feel safe. Pegs are driven into the ground and a net is stretched. When the pig is in the aviary, it must be monitored so that it is not disturbed by uninvited guests – dogs, cats. Birds can also be a source of danger, so the owner must be constantly on the alert.

They also make cages out of wood. It looks like a box without a top. It is usually spacious and insulated with special material (such as Styrofoam). The bottom is made retractable so that it can be easily cleaned. The wooden surface of the box is impregnated with an anti-rotting agent and protects against various pests.

It is forbidden to do this inside, since guinea pigs all like to try on the tooth and can harm themselves by poisoning themselves.

The pen must be installed in the shade. If it is windy or drizzling outside, then the animal should be taken into the house.

What you need to make a homemade paddock

It doesn’t take much effort to make a pen for a guinea pig with your own hands. For this you need to prepare:

• scissors with wide tape;
• ruler with a pencil;
• sharp knife;
• metal mesh;
• a piece of thick corrugated cardboard;
• cable tie.

So that the corrugated board is not exposed to moisture, it should be completely pasted over with adhesive tape in several layers.

Aviary dimensions and procedure

Before you start manufacturing, you should decide what size pen will be.

The owner should know: the more spacious the enclosure for guinea pigs, the more free the pet will be.

Based on this, the minimum dimensions are as follows:

• for one animal – 1 meter by 80 cm;
• for two animals – one and a half meters by 80 cm;
• three pets will need about 1.7 m by 80 cm;
• if there are four or more pigs – 2 m by 80 cm.

When building, you need to take into account that the height should be at least 15 cm.

When the dimensions are determined, you can start working:

1. Mark and draw the shape of the enclosure (its base).
   

   

2. Measure 15 cm on each side. Connect the lines. These will be the sides of the corral.
3. Cut carefully, focusing on the marking lines.
4. Assemble the frame along the cuts.
5. Fold up the edges.
6. Bend the parts that protrude. Tape them up with tape.

As a result, you should have a box in front of you, only without a top. Now you need a metal mesh, the sides are assembled from it:

1. The mesh is cut into blanks of the desired size. The height of the walls should exceed the pallet twice.
2. Finish the edges so that there are no nicks and there are no sharp corners.
3. Connect the parts with a cable tie.
   

   

4. Do not tie very tightly, otherwise there will be a skew on the other side of the aviary.

A corrugated cardboard pallet is inserted inside a metal case, so the dimensions must clearly match.

Do not forget that corrugated cardboard should be completely pasted over in several layers with wide adhesive tape so that it is protected from various contaminants.

Also, the bottom should be additionally laid with rubberized rugs – they can be washed frequently.

It’s a good idea to buy plastic pallets, as long as they fit.

It is important for the owner to remember – it does not matter whether the aviary is bought or made independently. The main thing is that the pet feels happy and comfortable.

Video: DIY enclosure ideas for guinea pigs