Project: Syrian cages

[Queen Of The High Teas]

So, after making a dwarf unit cage, and those ikea platform thingies, I've got rather bit by the diy bug:p. So, I decided to upgrade my two syrians, Sunny and Summer, to a bigger cage. Their currently in a 34" x 16" viv, and the 12" karlie wheels don't half take up some space in them.

This should be finished next week provided the parts I've ordered arrive in time, and I thought I'd do thread on how I made it, so if anyone wants a go they can see how I've done it.

So the main frame is a Maine extra deep small bookcase, 36" h x 11.5" d x 30" (91cm x 29cm x 78xm). They are available other places, but I got mine from Argos. Thanks to a christmas voucher and a O2 priority reward, I only paid £14 for both:p, but their not really that pricey at £21.99 each. Their quite straightforward and easy to put together, come flatpack with all the pieces you need and a set of instructions.

I've not done too much on them yet, just put them together, screwed the shelves in (they come with little metal roller things to sit on, ok for a bookcase, but not at all suitable or safe to use for a hamster, so they have to be fixed in properly with screws), cut out the holes I wanted with a jigsaw, and fixed a baton of wood on the front edge of each shelf to stop bedding falling out.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3662_zps38994b4a.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3662_zps38994b4a.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3660_zps662bf6a0.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3660_zps662bf6a0.jpg.html)

Hopefully tomorrow, I can put in the air vents that arrived in today's post, and perhaps the runner track will arrive too, though as it was only sent out today I'm not counting on that. Will upload more pics then!

[Nikkigrace]

Really looking forward to seeing how these turn out :-) they look great already!!

[pixiehollow]

This looks great already! Can't wait to see how it turns out either! How exactly do you attatch glass/perspex? Not figured that one out yet lol. Glueing can't open etc. Need to open a topic me thinks. Looking great, sorry I'm straying lol xxx

[evel_lin]

ooo they are going to be massive cages!

[SinNyx]

Wow! Looking forward to seeing more :3

[moonlite]

i like these conversions, pretty cool...will be watching...

[Gazmo]

wow, their huge! i love the idea, im looking forwarad to seein ghow it goes

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Update!

I really didn't think the runners that were sent out yesterday would arrive today, but was pleasantly surprised to find a large cylinder shaped parcel in the porch this morning. So with my brother's help, I've fixed the runners and air vents in place today, and am now waiting for the glue to dry.

How it's looking:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3667_zps9eb0c9c1.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3667_zps9eb0c9c1.jpg.html)

A couple of close ups:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3669_zps6bac4b54.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3669_zps6bac4b54.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3671_zps20f7647f.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3671_zps20f7647f.jpg.html)

Runners were £31 inc postage off Viv Bits on ebay (would be about £6.50 in all for one). Their for 4mm glass, you can also get 6mm ones, but as I'm only using 2mm plexiglass the smaller one will do fine.

Pixiehollow, there are a few ways of attatching plexiglass/glass on the doors. If your very woodwork savvy, or know someone who is, you could do what I did on my dwarf unit and make the whole thing yourself. Make up a frame, then use a router to cut a groove into the inner edge all they way around so the plexi/glass will sit in this gap, then glue into place. You need to be really really accurate though with the cutting, and sanding, or the door either won't open, or you'll have a gap in it, which is why I said you need someone very good with woodwork. The way I'm doing these ones is a far easier method altogether, simply cut the runner to size, glue in place top and bottom, measure the gap where you need the plastic/glass to sit, then either buy a length and cut it, or use a company online who will cut it to size for you by laser and deliver it. This is what I'm doing, because plexiglass is awful stuff to cut with a saw, too much pressure and it'll crack all the way through. And you can't melt it with a soldering iron or it won't be flat and neat. Trickiest part with this is measuring how high you need it. lengthwise, just measure the gap, half it then add on a few cm for overhang. Widthwise, it needs to be high enough that it's not loose in the runner, but low enough that you can 'lift' it up to get back out, so measure the width from the bottom of one runner to the bottom of the other then subtract a few cm.

My original design was to make a single large sliding plexiglass door all the way down the front, until it was pointed out to me that in such a large area it would flex like crazy, allowing the hamster to get it's nose under it and chew out. So I had to rethink it a bit, which is why it cost me so much in the runners, as instead of having two cages with one door each, I've got two cages with three doors each:p.

The air vents were originally meant to be vivarium air vents, which is what's in the dwarf cages. But the syrians are a lot more chewy than the dwarfs are, and had already chewed through a plastic air vent in the viv's they were in, so they had to be metal. Plastic air vents on ebay are £1-2 for two, but metal ones are £3.50-6 each:shock:, and there's no way I'm paying £40-70 for air vents!! So after a bit of thinking, I came up with a alternative - sink strainers!:mad: Their metal and look similar, but their only £1 each, in fact I got a pack of 12 for £7 off ebay. The underside edge is quite sharp, and so are the underside of the holes, but the front surface is perfectly smooth. I cut a hole the same size as the hole-y part with one of those drill cutters, then fixed it in with some no more nails. The hamster will never get to the underside, and because their only shallow, they don't stick out on the outside of the cage so you can't catch your hands on them. Also, there's no edge for the hamster to start chewing if their put in this way round.

I've also fixed some baton around the holes in the shelves so that bedding can't be pushed down it, and fixed on some eyelets to hook the ladders on, when I get to sorting some. I've ordered the plexiglass this afternoon, if it arrives on friday I might be able to get them set up on saturday:D.

[pixiehollow]

Wow! What a description! This is awesome! Thank you so much, definitely going to give it a go! Just need to find a wide enough bookcase! We don't have ikea here and they won't deliver to the Isle of Man :( xxx

Update!

I really didn't think the runners that were sent out yesterday would arrive today, but was pleasantly surprised to find a large cylinder shaped parcel in the porch this morning. So with my brother's help, I've fixed the runners and air vents in place today, and am now waiting for the glue to dry.

How it's looking:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3667_zps9eb0c9c1.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3667_zps9eb0c9c1.jpg.html)

A couple of close ups:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3669_zps6bac4b54.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3669_zps6bac4b54.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3671_zps20f7647f.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3671_zps20f7647f.jpg.html)

Runners were £31 inc postage off Viv Bits on ebay (would be about £6.50 in all for one). Their for 4mm glass, you can also get 6mm ones, but as I'm only using 2mm plexiglass the smaller one will do fine.

Pixiehollow, there are a few ways of attatching plexiglass/glass on the doors. If your very woodwork savvy, or know someone who is, you could do what I did on my dwarf unit and make the whole thing yourself. Make up a frame, then use a router to cut a groove into the inner edge all they way around so the plexi/glass will sit in this gap, then glue into place. You need to be really really accurate though with the cutting, and sanding, or the door either won't open, or you'll have a gap in it, which is why I said you need someone very good with woodwork. The way I'm doing these ones is a far easier method altogether, simply cut the runner to size, glue in place top and bottom, measure the gap where you need the plastic/glass to sit, then either buy a length and cut it, or use a company online who will cut it to size for you by laser and deliver it. This is what I'm doing, because plexiglass is awful stuff to cut with a saw, too much pressure and it'll crack all the way through. And you can't melt it with a soldering iron or it won't be flat and neat. Trickiest part with this is measuring how high you need it. lengthwise, just measure the gap, half it then add on a few cm for overhang. Widthwise, it needs to be high enough that it's not loose in the runner, but low enough that you can 'lift' it up to get back out, so measure the width from the bottom of one runner to the bottom of the other then subtract a few cm.

My original design was to make a single large sliding plexiglass door all the way down the front, until it was pointed out to me that in such a large area it would flex like crazy, allowing the hamster to get it's nose under it and chew out. So I had to rethink it a bit, which is why it cost me so much in the runners, as instead of having two cages with one door each, I've got two cages with three doors each:p.

The air vents were originally meant to be vivarium air vents, which is what's in the dwarf cages. But the syrians are a lot more chewy than the dwarfs are, and had already chewed through a plastic air vent in the viv's they were in, so they had to be metal. Plastic air vents on ebay are £1-2 for two, but metal ones are £3.50-6 each:shock:, and there's no way I'm paying £40-70 for air vents!! So after a bit of thinking, I came up with a alternative - sink strainers!:mad: Their metal and look similar, but their only £1 each, in fact I got a pack of 12 for £7 off ebay. The underside edge is quite sharp, and so are the underside of the holes, but the front surface is perfectly smooth. I cut a hole the same size as the hole-y part with one of those drill cutters, then fixed it in with some no more nails. The hamster will never get to the underside, and because their only shallow, they don't stick out on the outside of the cage so you can't catch your hands on them. Also, there's no edge for the hamster to start chewing if their put in this way round.

I've also fixed some baton around the holes in the shelves so that bedding can't be pushed down it, and fixed on some eyelets to hook the ladders on, when I get to sorting some. I've ordered the plexiglass this afternoon, if it arrives on friday I might be able to get them set up on saturday:D.

[pixiehollow]

Just found one of these bookcases on eBay for £12 brand new :D will get the runners and stuff when back in July but won't find cheaper that will deliver :)

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Ooh there's a couple on there, and one for £17 with £6 postage:D. If you get one, post pics of it when you've modded it:p

I know I haven't updated this, but I didn't know the plastic isn't cut there and then, got to wait until Wednesday for it to be dispatched, so its looking like it may be next weekend before its finished.

[pixiehollow]

Think I'm going to do the big case. Going to work out over £100 but for 2 or 3 cages that's not bad. Still deciding. Xx

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Think I'm going to do the big case. Going to work out over £100 but for 2 or 3 cages that's not bad. Still deciding. Xx

Could you not find someone on eBay willing to post one to you if you say you'll pay? Parcelforce will ship to the IOM, and they only charge about £10-20 for something under 30kg. The Maine case weighs 17.5kg:). Over £100 seems a bit excessive, £30-40 at the most I'd have thought.

[pixiehollow]

Found a bookcase, I mean altogether :) with runners, vents and Perspex for all 6 floors :)

Does a 12" wheel fit? And a 12" flying saucer? All that's holding me back right now lol xxx

[Queen Of The High Teas]

PM'd you Pixiehollow:)

Wow, you've found one with 6 floors? That's going to be absolutely massive, the three floored ones are really big! Lucky hammy:cool:

[slatted]

Just wondering why a vent is thought to be better than drilling a series of small holes along each wall. Surely that would be cheaper and practical as long as the holes are only small?

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Just wondering why a vent is thought to be better than drilling a series of small holes along each wall. Surely that would be cheaper and practical as long as the holes are only small?

Not sure about others, but I did them partly for aesthetical reasons, in that actual vents look nicer than drilled holes:p Also, I don't want to put any holes in the cases if I can help it, it starts looking a mess, and I'd be afraid of it starting a chewing point. In my experience, once a hamster finds a hole, no matter if its small, it stays by it until it can make it bigger:mad:

[pixiehollow]

Bought the 6 shelf now :) thank you for advice re. Runner size too :) going to do it section by section most likely lol. But do all before moving in the residents :) xx

[slatted]

Thanks for clarifying that. Wobbles. Would you say that this would be likely to apply if housing dwarfs rather than Syrians?

P.S I like your location at the moment, take it you are/were a Buffy and Angel fan? :)

[pixiehollow]

P.S I like your location at the moment, take it you are/were a Buffy and Angel fan? :)


Ooh Spike! Now he was a yummy man!! :P

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Thanks for clarifying that. Wobbles. Would you say that this would be likely to apply if housing dwarfs rather than Syrians?

P.S I like your location at the moment, take it you are/were a Buffy and Angel fan? :)

No, I've found Syrians chew much more than dwarfs. typical that plastic vents are cheap and holes would do, but metal ones aren't and holes probably wouldn't:rolleyes:.

I was never into Angel, but I think "fan" is a bit of an understatement on Buffy:p Try borderline addicted, infatuated and obsessed:mad: Could watch it on loop for all eternity. You know you have it bad when you can name all 144 episodes, and every word to the songs in OMWF!! best. show. ever.:cool:

Bought the 6 shelf now :) thank you for advice re. Runner size too :) going to do it section by section most likely lol. But do all before moving in the residents :) xx

I take it you've got the tall Maine case, the one with six shelves/spaces? If so, the runners I mentioned will fit (with a bit cut off), as the depth and width are exactly the same as the smaller one.

Ooh Spike! Now he was a yummy man!! :P

Oh yes, nowt hotter than a certain bleach blonde vampire! THAT Smashed scene =P~=P~=P~ *faints* He was way better than Angel - Spuffy for ever!:p

[R@CHEL]

This might sound like a stupid question so I apologize in advance, but because it's made out of wood, do you just put sawdust/woodshavings/bedding on top of the wood? And if so, when the hamsters pee does it stain/smell the wood?

Just curious because this has inspired me to make something similar..

[pixiehollow]

This might sound like a stupid question so I apologize in advance, but because it's made out of wood, do you just put sawdust/woodshavings/bedding on top of the wood? And if so, when the hamsters pee does it stain/smell the wood?

Just curious because this has inspired me to make something similar..

Gonna plastikote mine :) xx

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Plastic's arrived this afternoon - yay! For anyone wondering, I used a company called Cut Plastic Sheeting, and they've been fab. Lovely to talk to, all wrapped up really well and arrived safely, by DPD, who actually give you a time their going to turn up:). Best part being, unlike other companies who charge about £15 postage no matter how little you buy, CPS only charge £5.99 for anything between £10-80.

It's all well packed, arrived in a flat cardboard box, inside it's wrapped with bubble wrap and polystyrene foam edges to protect the corners (should come up with something similar for cages!). Don't get polished edges, it costs more and is unnecessary, it's not sharp or untidy, and once you put it in the runners you wouldn't see it anyway, so it would be a pointless cost:p

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3673_zps02109ceb.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3673_zps02109ceb.jpg.html)

Ok, for anyone thinking of doing one of these, the trickiest part is getting the plastic the right size. My brother fixed it in for me, but it was a really tight fit. So for reference, for the bigger gap, where the wheel is going, measure between the two base points of the runners, then leave a couple mm's off. This one is a bigger gap, so if the plexiglass isn't held in well enough it tends to flex and drop out easily. For the smaller gaps, measure between the two wooden points, then take 4/5mm off to compensate for the runners, and to leave a tiny bit of space to play around with.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3674_zpsf848f084.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3674_zpsf848f084.jpg.html)

The plexi I used is 2mm, the smallest they make, and it is quite strong enough for this. I did however, find that because the runners are 4mm, there is a bit of a gap between where they overlap, and a hammy could poke it's nose in, or it's teeth. I've solved it by putting both pieces in one side of the runner together. This gets rid of any gap completely, makes them sturdier and because their only light compared to glass, helps add weight to them so they don't open quite as easily. Two pieces of 2mm plastic fits perfectly in one side of a 4mm runner.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3677_zps58b6fba3.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3677_zps58b6fba3.jpg.html)

I accidentally put the hammer through the back of one, whilst I was nailing the back board on, so this is how we've fixed it, just to show it can be sorted. It's really easily done, the board is not very thick, and there's not much inside the frame, it's not super solid by any means, so one accidental whack in the wrong place and it will go straight through.

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3676_zps40312303.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3676_zps40312303.jpg.html)

I will put up more pics when I've moved hammies in:p

R@chel, I put the bedding straight on top of the shelves. The wood is already coated, it's got a veneered ( I think it's called) finish, like a kitchen unit/worktop or vivarium, so it doesn't absorb water. I've had water bottles leak in one of my dwarf cages and it does nothing. That's why you need a cheap case, expensive ones, made of actual wood don't have the coating, they put it on them to make cheap flat pack furniture look like proper wood:p. None of the cages are damp, and there's no smell with them either. Pixiehollow, I wouldn't bother plastikoting it, unless you really want to as it really doesn't need it. Just make sure that there is no gap between the shelf and the back as the inside edges of the shelves aren't coated, so liquid would go into them. Aquarium sealant works best around all the corner joints, silicone just peels off after a bit.

[icklemunch]

Looking good. Looking forward to the finished product :)

[DrKMcK]

I really love this idea and have read the whole thread with total fascination. I can't wait until the finished product is ready. It's more ambitious than I can do, but since I just did a whole new home for Patches, I'm not up for any more changes. I am so impressed with the inventiveness of the HC members. Your Bookcase Co-op for Hamsters is yet another great idea I've seen on this site. Great work you and your brother have done. :-D

[pixiehollow]

It looks amazing!! Can I borrow you and your brother?? :mad:

So just aquarium sealant then? I was worried about the hardboard back, didn't even think about down the side haha! Have got extra tacks downstairs anyway so will extra tack like you suggested in pm :D

Can't wait to see hammys moved in and all set up :D

[Queen Of The High Teas]

* WARNING*

For anyone thinking of doing one of these, if you use plastic or plexiglass unless it is VERY thick, you will need some form of lock or stopper to prevent the hammy from just nudging it open with it's paws or nose!!! I tried mine out earlier, gone to lock everyone up, and found Summer had pushed open the door and got out. Worse still, she'd also let Sunny out, she was in his cage and he was on her wheel, and I have no idea if she's pregnant now or not:(. I am going to try and fix it ASAP. Plexiglass is not heavy enough on it's own to not be pushed by a hamster, it needs something to fix it in place.

[sully]

Could you not just use a viv lock on each 'cage'?

[Queen Of The High Teas]

I'm not sure Sully, the plastic is only thin, I don't know whether it would support it. However, after my initial panic (don't mind too much she escaped, she can hardly get out of the shed, it's more that she's been cavorting with Sunny for nearly two hours that's worrying me), my brother thinks he may have found a way to sort it using magnets. I am going to get some tomorrow and we'll fix them on on saturday, so will see how they work. I've also found these things http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-BEST-VIVARIUM-GLASS-DOOR-window-lock-RUBBER-WEDGES-/220530872591 which are supposed to work, but as I have both pieces of plastic in the one runner, I don't know if it would force a gap between them or not. I will amend the above post too.

[pixiehollow]

I did wonder about this :S yeleas on eBay has rubber wedge stoppers. Slide between the glass and keep them locked shut and peeled off for easy opening. Definitely going to be getting some for mine xxx

Fingers crossed Summer isn't pregnant! Xxx

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Right I think I've found a way to sort out the issue with the doors, these things!:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-White-Magnetic-Cupboard-Catches/dp/B0079ZI1BY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1368304531&sr=8-2&keywords=magnetic+catches

Have glued them on so will have to wait until tomorrow or maybe monday for more pics, as I've took the hamsters out until I know their 1000% escape proof this time:p.

In the meantime, my brother and I have been making dwarf tanks, out of the syrian's old vivariums. Didn't want to just chuck them, so after about three hours of sawing, I've got one of these:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3678_zps6a1fbe48.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3678_zps6a1fbe48.jpg.html)

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3680_zpsc93af9ae.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3680_zpsc93af9ae.jpg.html)

Need to cut some plexiglass for the doors (my brother has said he'll struggle and cut me these last pieces save me shelling out again:p), and fix some air vents and catches on, and they'll be good to go. Basically we cut the old one down in every dimension to make it the same sizes as all the other cages, and have one more to alter, but for anyone who has a dwarf and can get hold of an old vivarium, it's quite a straightforward mod.

This was meant to be a new project for in a few weeks, but after what's happened with Summer, I figured it would be wise to get my two dwarfs out of my spare bin cages in case I need them:oops:.

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Right, I've finally got some pics of finished article!

Summer's is exactly the same, but as she's still in the tank it's empty for now, but here's Sunny's:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3752_zps4628f158.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3752_zps4628f158.jpg.html)

A close up of how I sorted the door problem out:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3754_zps77eea181.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3754_zps77eea181.jpg.html)

I think he likes it:p:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3744_zps394816d0.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3744_zps394816d0.jpg.html)

He loves running up and down the levels, he has got so much more space than the viv he was in. I do want to add more toys to it now gradually, but it's a vast improvement on what he had (though the viv was 34" too!)

And save throwing the vivs out, I made two new robo tanks out of them:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3755_zpsef808ad5.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3755_zpsef808ad5.jpg.html)

Holly's:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3758_zpseebb0f01.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3758_zpseebb0f01.jpg.html)

Ivy's:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3759_zps70fb9a2a.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3759_zps70fb9a2a.jpg.html)

These two are slightly shorter than the other dwarf ones, to give them a more snug, secure feel, as even though both robo's are not in the least bit shy, they do seem to love little pokey hidey places:mrgreen:.

And here's the whole thing stacked up, I altered both robo tanks to be the exact same width and depth as the Syrians' so that it would all stack neatly:

http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y393/DarkWillow1630/IMG_3761_zpsd867f014.jpg (http://s1272.photobucket.com/user/DarkWillow1630/media/IMG_3761_zpsd867f014.jpg.html)

I cannot believe how much space I've saved with these, all my hamsters are in my hamster shed, which is 6 x 4 and with actual cages, I'd be lucky if I could fit 4 in properly, but like this I have 8, want to make at least one maybe two more, and I still have lots of space to sit on the floor with them whilst they run around (they have a good space for free running too). As the Syrian's are technically the size of three dwarf cages, It could house either 13/14 dwarfs, 6 syrians in two level setups, or 3 syrians and six dwarfs so plenty of versatility and choice! I owe my brother BIG time for helping me with these, starting with about 8 saturdays:mad:.

[iwasbornwright]

Wow! They are amazing!!

[Lemon66|]

I'm super impressed, both with your creativity and your stubborness :) Good job you for finishing the project. It looks really great and indeed very practical.

[Kissa]

Is Sunny flying in that third pic? I can't work out how he is staying there!

Also the ramps look really steep to me :?

Good idea with the catches though ;)

[jesselle]

Is Sunny flying in that third pic? I can't work out how he is staying there!

This. I don't understand :confused: hehe

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Is Sunny flying in that third pic? I can't work out how he is staying there!

Also the ramps look really steep to me :?

Good idea with the catches though ;)

Haha, no he's not flying:p. there's a small spare tank on the floor that you can just see the top of in the pic. He was stood on that and then levered himself up, though I'm not sure how he stuck there! I think he's holding on to the outer edge of the door runner!

The ramps arent as steep as they appear in reality. They also have dowels down them, so their like a solid ladder, their jsut about viewable in the pics.

The catches have worked well,much easier/ cheaper than replacing or altering the doors. If anyone is thinking of them, go to Wilkos as their only £1.09 for a pack of two, instead of £3.50 odd in DIY shops for the same thing! They also double nicely as handles and save getting fingerprint marks on the perpex:p.

[Loobylou]

Well done, they're brilliant and take up so little floor space. What a clever idea.:)

Are you sure you haven't velcro'd Sunny to the cage in the 3rd pic ? :D

[Sanctuary]

That looks fantastic well done :)

[Munchies]

Wow, wow and wow!!! I LOVE this! You did such a great job and I especially like how you saved money here and there (sink strainers! Fab!), I love a good bargain :) I'm now very tempted to do this to my bookshelf! Thanks for sharing.

[Lloydhammy]

they are awesome! My Lloyd would like one :p

[hamsterhelper]

Did Sunny and Summer get pregnant? (I mean the girl, I'm not too sure which one!)

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Did Sunny and Summer get pregnant? (I mean the girl, I'm not too sure which one!)

Afternoon Hamsterhelper,

Sorry for not replying, I've only just seen this whilst answering a pm:p. Summer is the girl, and yes she did, but she either lost them or 'disposed' of them, as despite showing all the signs and behaviour, I never found any babies:(.

Neither Syrian is still in those cages anymore, as they didn't work out very well. I'm not sure if its because they were cheaper made than the ikea ones, or poorer material, or if its simply that dwarf hamsters don't pee as much or as strong, but the floor went a mess, something that hasn't happened with my other other cages. Also, despite putting catches on them, Sunny learnt how to open them, and let himself out. As he was in the shed with no fear of coming to any harm, or reaching anyone else, I didn't mind him doing this, but had he been in the house where the dogs are, that would have been a serious problem.

Sunny is now in my room in a Galaxy, and Summer is in a big glass tank, as it's the only thing she can't chew out of:mad: The dwarfs ikea one, on the other hand, is still going strong and works well for them, so I'd say if you want to make a bookcase cage, use a veneer coated case like the ikea billy unit, not the argos version! And definitely replace the fibreboard back piece with some decent solid varnished plywood, I didn't with the Argos ones, and I'm sure that's one of the things that caused problems, as the back went mouldy. Personally my experience is that bookcase cages are good for dwarfs but not so great for Syrians, but as I used different cases, I can't say for sure it wouldn't have worked.

[Suzy2014]

Wow, brill job!! :)