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I have to say, that staggered second level is really, really cool (pats self on back). My favorite thing about it, is that it doesn't require a ramp. So its not cluttering up running room on the first level. My girls get a kick out of it.

Its made out of 10 grids, a bunch of 50lb zip ties, and a couple of hooks (which you can do the same with the zip ties.



First, you need to modify the base. You can see it best from this picture. Basically, I cut a single grid into two pieces (removing the middle row of grid-holes). This makes the grids on the one size the same height as the coroplast on the base. You need to do this in order to rest the second level on the base.

Next, its a basic 1x2 grid cage - a 1x2 bottom, a 1x2 side, and 2 1 grid sides. Zip tie them together. The "roof" is optional. I wanted it for extra storage space, just to be able to dump junk. Plus it allows me to hang the hammock in there. Since I use it as a shelf, I dropped the grid roof in by one grid-hole, so I had a lip on my shelf (things tend to stay put, that way).

Measure and cut the coroplast following the basic directions on GuineaPigCages. Its only three-sided, so don't measure and cut a 4th wall.

You will need two more grids, zip-tied on one end. This will be bent in an L-shape, and used to support the larger hang-over end of the 2nd level. You can see this n the picture of the two grids, entirely outside of the cage, attached to the back of the second level, and then running under the main part of the cage. There are probably other ways to make this support section. I may have done two grids side-by-side, if I had a larger sold base table than what I have. However, since my second level extends farther out than the size of my cage-stand, I had to make it the way that I did.

Basically, the second level rests in about three grids into and on top of the bottom part of the cage. It will be tight! I then have it zip tied to the base where the grids overlap (you can see in the picture, its a little 3x5 grid-hole overlap). I have that section zip-tied with 2 or 3 ties, on each side. I then slid part of the L-shaped piece under the main cage, and the other piece flush against the back of the second level. Zip-tied that to both the back and the base.

Its pretty sturdy. I have lifted the cage (usually a two-person job) by grabbing the base and the second level. I would not recommend moving it large distances by lifting it by the second level, but I have yet to have a cable-tie break.

As for the fleece - I played around with that a bit. In the end, I found it easiest to cut and sew the ends of a piece of fleece to fit the shape of the coroplast.



So - I measured a piece the same size as the coroplast bottom plus sides, plus 1" to all edges. I would recommend adding 2" to each edge (4" across extra). You can't really see it, but I sewed where the two back corners are, so I could remove the extra fleece (rather than trying to tuck it around). The fleece is then placed on the coroplast, and the 1-2" edges are tucked between the coroplast and the grids. Its all a tight fit, so it stays pretty nicely. However, in this picture, you can see a variety of binder clips to help keep it on the coroplast (industrious pigs liked to pull out the fleece!). I have two baby binder clips on the bottom, one on each short side, and although you can't really see it in this picture - its on the far left! , 1 binder clip on the front edge wall of the coroplast (for some reason, they pulled it out on one side, but not the other).

It can be a task putting in new fleece in that second level. However, they tend not to pee up there too much. I vacuum it every week, and get at least 1.5 months of wear before it needs to go in the wash. I now have 3 fitted fleeces for the upstairs, so I don't have to do pig-laundry too much.

Hope this is clear enough. Please ask questions if you need anything clarified.

Hats are very good things to sleep in!

Your husband may decide building the second level was a good thing, when he witnesses the extent of goofiness pigs can be, when they're jumping up and down from one level to the next. My girls sometimes do laps in the morning, and I can hear them as they hit the second level, jump, run to the other side, and leap off the second level back to the first. If nothing less, it should be good for a laugh. I've definitely heard my boyfriend chuckle at them more than once.

Yeah, I'm into my pigs. But they keep my smiling. :-)