Where All the Piggies Live!!
A lot of thought went into the design of our center before construction ever began. Since Guinea Pigs see colors, we knew we wanted wallpaper on the walls but also didn't want our piggies eating it. SOLUTION!! All wallpaper is covered by plexiglass - easily cleaned and piggies can't get to wallpaper to eat it!!
As you can tell, all of our habitats are C&C; that is coroplast and cube. There is only one C&C habitat that is not at least 2C X 3C and that is only because we ran out of wall and I couldn't convince my husband to push the front wall out a few feet!!
Speaking of front wall - there is a double window that looks out to the front porch which we were afraid might create a draft (very bad for piggies!).
SOLUTION!! Plexiglass again!! We can't open the windows but there are no drafts to make any of our piggies ill which is far more important to me!!
Each habitat is equipped with at least one (1) 16 ounce water bottle, one (1) hay rack and as many food bowls as there are pigs in each. We also use a large high-sided litter box in each habitat which is located under each water bottle. These are changed every other day as they trap all the water that drips (or falls) out of the water bottles. There are a couple of our piggies that seem to have holes in their chins; never have mastered the water bottles.
The two (2) habitats on the lower level and on the left in this picture are 2C X 4C and house between 3 and 4 piggies each.
These habitats are equipped with at least two (2) water bottles (which means two (2) litter boxes) and two (2) hay racks.
You should see the bedding fly when everyone gets into a playful mood, finds their energy and starts running and popping!! We feel like we are in the middle of a circus full of clowns when that happens . . . can't help but laugh . . . they are so much fun to watch!
Here's Abby thoroughly enjoying herself when we first built our C&C habitats.
She wasn't quite sure what to do with all the extra room but she sure didn't waste any time figuring it out. One of the things she liked best was sitting on top of her Hidey House and looking out the window.
This shot was taken from a step ladder that my photographer almost fell off of!!
But what a great shot of the upper level! This first habitat is just a tad under 2C x 3C and the next one is a tad bit smaller than that. We use the smaller habitat for one (1) piggie alone or for two (2) small piggies.
We have been told most of our piggies are of the large variety! Are they trying to tell me that my piggies are FAT?? Or just BIG Piggies??
Another great shot from my very brave ladder-hugging photographer!
Each habitat has a double door (two (2) cube sections that are hinged with adjustable clamps) and secured shut with a Velcro cord manager that you find at an office supply store. Only one problem there . . . the Velcro thingy has to be low enough that it is behind the coroplast so the piggies won't chew it! I caught wind of that little trick early and have only had to replace one that was chewed through!!
Have you been able to see our hay racks??
I looked high and low for something suitable and finally starting looking in the closet remodeling section at Home Depot (or was it Lowe's?). Either way, that is where I found my perfect solution . . . a ClosetMaid hang-on rack designed for packets of dry mixes . . . you know, like gravy mixes, taco seasonings, sloppy joe seasoning mixes. Works perfectly with the cubes. One suggestion though . . . secure them to the cube wall with plastic wire ties! My piggies thought it real cool to get their head under the rack and knock it straight up. It became a game with them . . . especially at feeding time!! That's when all the hay racks began banging against the cube wall!!
For more on the Hidey Houses you see in each habitat, 
go to the page entitled Abby's General Store.