The Persistent Pig

The score:  Bertie - 4, Me - 3

I may have to surrender.  Look at what I found just before I went to bed last night.

It took Bertie less than a month to get by the latest hay barrier and gain entry to her beloved hayloft.  Granted, I may have inadvertently helped her out by leaving the barrier slightly ajar.  I wanted to make sure they could access the hay from the top of the rack.  That's what I get for being nice.  It's hard to see in the photo, but the right side of the wire fence is pulled way out from the side of the hayloft.  She must have snuck under the edge via the hammock.

Rob has been telling me for weeks that I need to make Bertie a shelf to perch on, since she can't leave the hay rack alone.  But it's not a shelf she wants; there are plenty of perches in the cage.  The back of the cage is over the radiator and the hay rack is a perfect nest to snuggle into.  It has the added bonus of available snacks without moving an inch.  Heaven!

I think I will modify the rack slightly, move it a bit lower (so it's not so hard to get into) and fill it with the really short, crumbly hay I find in the bottom of the box.  Then I'll need to design and create a new hay rack for the good hay that isn't quite so appealing to sleep in.  Cali Cavy Collective had suggested to me that their upright hay rack may do the trick.  I'm giving it some serious consideration.

At this rate, I'm going to need to expand the cage to fit in the additional furnishings!