Living in tunnel

[gilhc002]

Hi lovelies!

My lovely new Robo Rambo has been with me about 3 days now, he's 6 months old and he's still in the cage I brought him in (80x50cm). He's nervous to be somewhere new and has decided to nest in a clear tube in his cage since I disturbed his nest to remove the fluff bedding. I think he's mostly fine there I just have a couple concerns!

Firstly I gave him some apple and he doesn't like the skin but the old skin is now in his nest, is it ok to leave it for a couple of days? Honestly I can't really get it out since he hisses like crazy if I go near the tubing (he's fine to run around the cage a little when I'm there, he's just understandably protective over his nest)

Secondly, he hasn't got much bedding in there and I'm worried he'll be cold. He has plenty of tissue in the cage to build a nest with but he has to ruin his nest every time he wants to go through the cage from one cage level to another. I'll attach pictures of him in the tube and how thick the bedding is.

Just to say he has his old house in there and a new house where I sprinkled some of his substrate to make it smell like him, as well as a couple of tubes he could nest in. He's just not too confident right now.

Looking forward to hearing your opinions guys!

[cypher]

Unfortunately this happens quite a lot with new hams & tubes, it really isn't good for them as it will get unhealthy in there very quickly with any fresh food, pee & general condensation.
Can you get stoppers for that cage so you can remove the tube?
I know it may seem stressful but in the long term it is far better to get rid of the tubes as soon as possible & let him settle & nest somewhere else in the cage.

[gilhc002]

Originally Posted by cypher

Unfortunately this happens quite a lot with new hams & tubes, it really isn't good for them as it will get unhealthy in there very quickly with any fresh food, pee & general condensation.
Can you get stoppers for that cage so you can remove the tube?
I know it may seem stressful but in the long term it is far better to get rid of the tubes as soon as possible & let him settle & nest somewhere else in the cage.

Thank you so much for the advice - having a look and I won't be able to get a stopper delivered for 3 or more days (had a look on pets at home website which is my local pet store and I can't see them on there, so getting some delivered)
Is there a way that I could DIY a cage stopper in the mean time?

I'm going to be building a billy extension cage and I can't wait, this cage just isn't that ideal for my boy.

[cypher]

It might be better to wait until you get the stoppers rather than try a bit of diy tbh, just in case it isn't totally escape proof! I would think he would be ok until then.

[Drago]

Your little one is very lucky to have you as their ham parent! You could always mesh over the tube exit/entrances until the stoppers come so that he can't escape. This might not be the most practical solution, but I had to use it once when I covered an old tube entrance! Best wishes

[gilhc002]

I think I've found a place I could drive to tomorrow morning and get some, I'll see how that goes then take it from there. Till then I think no fresh food! Thanks for the help guys

[Jennie F]

Was the cahe originally from pets at hpme? The tubes thay csme with my cage ( large cage) had tubes and 2 stoppers in as well.

[gilhc002]

Originally Posted by Jennie F

Was the cahe originally from pets at hpme? The tubes thay csme with my cage ( large cage) had tubes and 2 stoppers in as well.

Thanks so much Jennie I had a dig through the stuff he came with and found 2 stoppers! And happened to catch him up and about so have now removed his tubes and put in a makeshift cardboard staircase to his second level!

[gilhc002]

He's already started nesting in his old bed - thanks so much guys!

[cypher]

That's good, I would still remove the tube while you have the chance in case he changes his mind again, they do sometimes have more than one nest.