Wooden Cages?

[pluckyclown]

Hi, I'm looking to create my own cage so that it will be bigger for the hamsters and hopefully look a bit better than my current one. I was just wondering if it is OK to use Wood for the sides, like the sheets of wood you can buy in DIY superstores.

I ask this because I've seen people with Wooden Vivariums that have a Glass/Perspex sheet at the front and wood at the top, bottom and sides. Would the hamsters chew on this and be able to get through do you think or is it safe enough?

Hope this makes sense :-)
Thanks.

Edit: Would a Plywood like this (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9276273) be OK to build the sides and bottom, or would it have to be a safer non-toxic wood, as I'm not too sure if this is toxic? Thanks again! :-)

[Gamina]

There was also an amazing cage made from a wooden rabbit hutch around here to, someone less lazy will link you :P

They would be capable of chewing out of wood but they would just as easily chew out of plastic and most people have some form of plastic cage. You would just have to regularly ensure no chewing for freedom.

[pluckyclown]

Thanks very much for your input.

Would it be OK to use a regular sheet of MDF from somewhere like B&Q?

Thanks again,
Jamie :-)

[samincittagazze]

Who was it that made those brilliant cages from mdf? Her username has gone from me, all I remember is that she's currently pregnant! :lol: Someone should be able to point you in her direction, she did a great job on hers. Oh God, that's going to drive me crazy...

[amyXlovesXhamstersX]

Is it Princess-Rhi89's cage? I love that! I'll see if I can find it on here :D
Edit... heres the link, hope it gives you ideas :) http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/diy-do-yourself-hamster-projects/14343-ive-been-keeping-secret.html

[samincittagazze]

Yes yes, that was it! Thank you, I found the link: http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/diy-do-yourself-hamster-projects/14343-ive-been-keeping-secret.html

[pluckyclown]

Wow, they're great. I'm going to definately get some ideas from them.

Thanks very much, I'll try and leave a message for her if she's on the Forum still.

Thanks again. :-)

[Gamina]

http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/diy-do-yourself-hamster-projects/19940-hutch-2.html

This was the hutch as well there are some great pictures on the second page of it all finished.

[princess-rhi89]

Hey just stumbled across, lovely to hear you like my cages :) if you need any advice PM me Im happy to help :) xx

[pluckyclown]

Thank you very much Rhi, I've PM'd you again :-)

And that hutch is really nice. I'm guessing that it was originally a Rabbit or Guinea Pig Hutch? Either way it's really nice :-).

[princess-rhi89]

Your welcome, I was just shocked when people were saying they remember my cages and how good they were,Thanks guys :) xxx

[vanilla-yazoo]

pluckyclown: im glad you like my hutch :) It was a rabbit hutch i got from ebay for about £80 ith all its paint and meshing ect came to just over £100
i had one alexander cage, and was going to get another, but made this with the money instead, it now holds my short hair syrians, I sold my alexander to Locorocopanda for her izuna, and later got a 3rd hamster XD now in a zz1(either going to a 2 or a 2nd hutch later on)
good luck on making a wooden cage! i had lots of fun making mine :D

[pluckyclown]

Thanks very much vanilla-yazoo for the help. What paint did you use on the interior? Or was it used just on the exterior. I have spoken to princhess-rhi and have been recommended Plasti-kote Super Gloss as it is children safe and non-toxic so I'd be able to use it on the interior and if they bite it, it won't harm them.

I set myself a £100 budget as well, and I'm planning on essentially making a wooden box with a clear plastic front and mesh on the top. But I plan on installing a slot so if I need to separate them at any time I can just put a sheet of plastic in between. I've only got a Russian Dwarf and a Campbells Russian so it doesn't need to be too big, but the Ferplast Duna I have at the moment is getting too cluttered by trying to put some toys in there for them. There isn't nearly as much room as I'd like them to have.

Again, thanks very much for the advice, your hutch is beautiful. :-)

[vanilla-yazoo]

I used plastikote matt cream spray and nut brown plastikote enamel from a pot to do the details. I have also used plastikote on other items too.
If you was looking at a 1 level hutch the same lenth as mine i saw then about 30-45 on eBay, it could be worth looking on there for ideas, I got shelves from b&q, most members use the wilko ones, we have used them for my sisters cage, and just need sealing with the plastikote that seals it so toilet dosnt soak into the wood. If you want the natural wood colour, then the clear plastikote would keep the colour.

I like the idea with the glass front and the partition.
It would be great to see your ideas and to see progress on how you make it.
All the best!

[pluckyclown]

Thanks very much vanilla-yazoo. I was looking at the Plasti-kote as well, the sealer (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9254030) and clear acrylic (http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9254002) spray to keep the colour the same. Would it be advisable to spray the Clear Acrylic or the Sealer first? I'm assuming the Sealer should be the last thing to do.

I will definately keep this thread updated and look to bounce ideas off people anyways. I set around a £100 limit as this would essentially be divided up into 2 cages if necessary. Also as I PMed princhess-rhi I'm very nervous I won't make the cage strong enough and could collapse, hurting the hamsters or worse, I hope I don't sound too silly there. As I say I'll definately keep this this thread updated if everyone is OK with that.

Thanks very much for the idea of eBaying for ideas, much appreciated.

Thanks for being so helpfull as well, I really like this forum.
Jamie :-)

[vanilla-yazoo]

No problem I'm happy to help out. Im not sure about the sealer but if you use a good amount on the wood then there's no chance it would soak through.
If building it from scratch I know you shouldn't use plywood, the glue is most likely toxic, but other woods would be find (cedar and non dried pine are bad) but you prob now that :) if it's how I'm thinking you will make it will look awesome! I will grab a link to something I have seen

[vanilla-yazoo]

HAMSTER MICE GERBILS PET CAGE HOME PETS HOUSE WOODEN | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HAMSTER-MICE-GERBILS-PET-CAGE-HOME-PETS-HOUSE-WOODEN-/320743000043?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item4aadc5c7eb)
That might give you ideas :)

[pluckyclown]

I was worried about the glue being toxic as well but I contacted a company called Gorilla Glue that has assured me the Wood Glue they sell is completely non-toxic and is geared towards animal housing so I'm happy about that. I was thinking about either using Plywood or MDF, how come I shouldn't use Plywood, would it not be strong enough? The e-Bay home looks to be Plywood or some other material.

I'm only using the glue along the edges anyways and using screws to further strengthen it so I was more worried about the Plasti-kote being toxic if I'm going to be using that on the interior cage but I have been assured by princess-rhi that it isn't toxic.

That link is going to help with some ideas, definately. I've found some other links for inspiration as well:
Hamster-Paradise - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V20yd8iS1Ng)
Best Homemade Hamster Cage - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rp7JkAopCc)
Homemade Hamster Cage - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJZgtlvK4Xw)

I'm going to be doing a sketch tomorrow so I'll try and find a scanner and upload it for you.

Thanks again,
Jamie :-)

[pluckyclown]

Sorry for the double post, I forgot I can't edit my previous post now. :S

Well as much as I hate to say it, I think common sense has finally prevailed over me. As princess-rhi and vanilla-yazoo will have guessed I am pretty much catatonic with worry over something going wrong, so for the time being I have decided to put my plans on hold to build my own. I want to be able to put in 100-150 to invest in some strong timber to support it, and also get it visually correct for myself as well as providing the best possible home for the hammies. Hopefully I will get it done within the year though, otherwise I will feel this has all been for nothing.

I've decided to go ahead and make a bin-cage for them as my Mini Duna isn't big enough for 2 dwarfs, and also I need to be able to seperate the cage into two if they begin fighting.

As I say, I hope to eventually get it done but would rather wait a few months and make sure that it's safe and good for the hamsters and myself. Hope that doesn't sound too soppy.

Thank you very much everyone for your help, it's been much appreciated and I will try and keep this thread updated with possible designs for when it's done.

Jamie :-)