How To Make a C&C Cage for Guinea pigs

How to Make a C&C Cage

Easy as 1-2-3! (really)

1. Snap the grids (or cubes) together.
2. Cut, score, fold and tape the Coroplast.
3. Drop the Coroplast box into the grids, add bedding and pigs!

Connect the grids to form the perimeter of the cage.
	Some brands are harder to snap into the connectors than others. You may also want a pair of pliers or a rubber mallet to help complete some connections. Grids and Connectors needed: 2 x 3 grid cage (10 grids/20 connectors) 2 x 4 grid cage (12 grids/24 connectors) 2 x 5 grid cage (14 grids/28 connectors) 2 x 6 grid cage (16 grids/32 connectors)
Measure the length and width of the inside of the enclosure
	See the see yellow lines in the photo. Remember to allow space for the connectors (measure from the inner edge of the connectors). The box will sit inside them. With 35.5cm grids, the measurements should be: 1.04m x 68.6cm for a 2 x 3 grid cage 1.42m x 68.6cm for a 2 x 4 grid cage 1.80m x 68.6cm for a 2 x 5 grid cage 2.13m x 68.6cm for a 2 x 6 grid cage
Add 30 centimeters to the length and width for cutting dimension
	Add 30 centimeters to the length and width for a 15 centimeter wall all the way round. This gives you the outer dimensions to cut (photo is just to give you a perspective). If the cage is going against a wall, you may want to make the back wall 30 centimeters high to help prevent hay spillage. In that case, you'll add a total of 45 centimeters to the original measurement from above, for one 30cm side. So, using the above measurements, you should get: 1.34m x 98.6cm for a 2 x 3 grid cage 1.72m x 98.6cm for a 2 x 4 grid cage 2.10m x 98.6cm for a 2 x 5 grid cage 2.43m x 98.6cm for a 2 x 6 grid cage (2.44m is a full sheet length)
Measure and Mark and Cut the Coroplast
	Measure and mark the Coroplast (using a tape measure, yardstick and pen).Cut it to the outer dimensions with the scissors or box cutter. A pair of heavy duty scissors or a box cutter is easier than regular scissors, but you can still use regular scissors. Cut lines depend on how big of a sheet you are starting with (partial sheet shown).
Measure and Mark and SCORE the Coroplast
	Measure and mark 15cm in from all sides (the inner dimensions). Score the Coroplast along these lines using a razor blade or box cutter. Be careful not to cut all the way through. Practice on a scrap piece first. Scoring with the grain takes less pressure than scoring against it.
Cut the flaps
	Cut all the way through the Coroplast at each corner, just 15cm, to create the flap to make the corner.
Snap the edges
	Snap the edges away from the score line to form a box.
Tape the flaps
	Secure the flaps with clear packing tape. A couple of wide strips on the outside work great.
Place box inside the grids!
	Place the box inside the connected grids and you're all done - easy!

What You'll Need (in addition to Cubes and Coroplast)

Required
	Scissors or a box cutter. Regular scissors will work, but a heavy-duty pair is better. Pen or Magic Marker Tape measure or Yard Stick Yard stick or straight edge for marking Clear packing tape Razor blade or box cutter
Optional
	Cable ties to secure connections or if you run out of connectors. Organizational shelving for a cat-proof top. Table or desktop space to put the cage on! We recommend a folding work table for 2 x 4 grid cages and up (1.52m x 76cm  table top needed for a 2 x 4 grid cage). They are available at many office supply stores for around $30 - $35. Pliers or "RoboGrip" pliers to squeeze together stubborn grid connections.