This isn’t so much asking for, like, a hard, fast rule. Mostly it’s just me being indecisive and wanting to be pointed in a direction.
I got an ex pen for Choco and it came today. (Super surprised by such a speedy delivery!) I opened it up in the space where I intended to put it. My original intent was to put his current cage into the ex pen. I thought he’d feel more secure with the new setting if he had access to the old house. More than that, I think his cage is good for the stuff that it has in it (the hay rack, the litter box, etc.) but just not very spacious. In contrast, I don’t think a lot of the things I have for him are made for a pen with bars that wide, so simply placing those things in the ex pen is kinda out of the question. However, when I put the pen down, I found that it was a bit smaller than I’d thought. Putting the cage in the ex pen would allow him a little more space, but not as much as I’d like him to have. So now, I don’t think sticking the cage in the pen is the best idea.
So I had a few new ideas. I need help deciding which is better. My first idea was to attach his cage to the ex pen using clasped hooks. (Or maybe something else, if it fits the bill better. Maybe some strong wire?) This is what I’d actually prefer to do and I think in theory, it’s the best for both of us. He’d still have access to the old house plus plenty of extra space to run around and it’d be pretty little extra fuss for me, save for cleaning a bigger area. My problem with this, however, is the issue of him possibly getting out. There’s a gap at the bottom of the cage. There are trays under the cage and I’ve seen him get under there with the trays removed, but I don’t know if he can fit under it with the trays there (as it usually is.) I was thinking of maybe sticking a bunch of towels or cardboard or something under there to keep him from getting under there or worse, getting stuck. My concern with this, though, was that he might be tempted to burrow through there and get out anyway. My second concern with this method is the sides between the pen and the cage. The cage only goes so far down before there are no more bars. I’m worried that he might be able to squeeze through the sides. I’m a little less worried about this, because I think if I attach the bottom by the wheel of the cage, it might be okay. Maybe just using some wire. Again, this is what I’d prefer, but I’m concerned about him getting out.
My other idea was to put him in the pen while I’m home, but keep him in his cage while we’re out or it’s time for bed. This is a little safer, as the likelihood of him escaping the pen is pretty low. However, this is more hassle for me, getting him in and out of the pen. More than that, though, I don’t like the idea of keeping him from his hay and water just to be in a bigger space. If I wanted to do that, I might need to get a new water bowl, at the least, if not a new hay rack as well. Then that kinda defeats the purpose of this to begin with… I could just make the ex pen his main space.
Like I said, I’d most prefer to attach his current cage to the ex pen, but I just wanna be sure he’s not gonna be able to get out. I think if I secure it right, the sides should be alright. It’s just that bottom of the cage that worries me.
Well, anyway, I’d appreciate if you could let me know your thoughts. Like I said, this isn’t such a big deal question, nor is it urgent, as I’m not yet prepared to set up the pen, yet. I just think I need a little push or something. Thanks for your thoughts and opinions!