How big are your breeding cages?

[genevieve]

This is a question for all, but I'm particularly interested in dwarf cage sizes. What are the sizes of the cages, tanks or bins you use for mating, pregnant mothers and weaned pups? The bins I have right now are 80 x 40 cm, I'm interested in what others use

[Pompompoms]

Mine are 59cm x 36cm, I do the whole process in the same tub, mating, pregnancy, birth then obviously raising. I like to keep things bit enough, but still quite cosy to keep mum calm and feeling secure, it also helps when the little ones start zooming off all over the place and mum is gathering them up. Less running for her, again less stressful.

[londonhamsters.co.uk]

I found that smaller cages work best, because my females keep running around and beign difficult in the bigger cages. The one that works best is square transport cage 20 x 10 cm where I keep them less than an hour.

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Mine's an 84x37cm glass tank but will be used at two different sizes, there will be a 'wall' down the middle that makes the tank 42x37cm for the nursing weeks then once the pups are all bigger, eyes fully open and being weaned at around 2.5/3 weeks the wall will be removed so that they have full use of the tank. This should give them plenty of space to run off all of that energy they will have but they will be old enough to be able to find their way back to mum and the nest easily

[genevieve]

Originally Posted by Pompompoms

Mine are 59cm x 36cm, I do the whole process in the same tub, mating, pregnancy, birth then obviously raising. I like to keep things bit enough, but still quite cosy to keep mum calm and feeling secure, it also helps when the little ones start zooming off all over the place and mum is gathering them up. Less running for her, again less stressful.

You've got me imagining little robo babies running around now! How sweet :')

Originally Posted by londonhamsters.co.uk

I found that smaller cages work best, because my females keep running around and beign difficult in the bigger cages. The one that works best is square transport cage 20 x 10 cm where I keep them less than an hour.

Is that for Winter Whites? How big are the cages you use for pregnant/nursing mums?

Originally Posted by Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters

Mine's an 84x37cm glass tank but will be used at two different sizes, there will be a 'wall' down the middle that makes the tank 42x37cm for the nursing weeks then once the pups are all bigger, eyes fully open and being weaned at around 2.5/3 weeks the wall will be removed so that they have full use of the tank. This should give them plenty of space to run off all of that energy they will have but they will be old enough to be able to find their way back to mum and the nest easily

Ooh that's a great idea, never thought of that before!

[Hammielover]

London hamsters , i really dont think your cage is suitable for anything but a travel cage ...

[fluffymunchkins]

I used for mating and nursing - 90x30cm tank
It was a reasonable litter size for a dwarf at 6, so this turned out the perfect size for them all. Mum was able to have her own space away from dad and then the litter.
So I think the 80 x 40 bins would be perfect

Afterwards I used a gabber rex for 5 sons and dad. This was soon too cramped so i upgraded to a ZZ2 which was nice and spacious for them x

[genevieve]

Originally Posted by Hammielover

London hamsters , i really dont think your cage is suitable for anything but a travel cage ...

I think she only leaves them in there for a small amount of time while they mate, if I gathered correctly?

Originally Posted by fluffymunchkins

I used for mating and nursing - 90x30cm tank
It was a reasonable litter size for a dwarf at 6, so this turned out the perfect size for them all. Mum was able to have her own space away from dad and then the litter.
So I think the 80 x 40 bins would be perfect

Afterwards I used a gabber rex for 5 sons and dad. This was soon too cramped so i upgraded to a ZZ2 which was nice and spacious for them x

Ooh good to hear Most dwarf breeders I've seen seem to use smaller cages/bins/tanks, so I was thinking I might downsize, but it's good to hear a success story with large tanks. I guess it's something you have to play by ear, so to speak, work out what's best for your individuals!

[fluffymunchkins]

Originally Posted by genevieve

Ooh good to hear Most dwarf breeders I've seen seem to use smaller cages/bins/tanks, so I was thinking I might downsize, but it's good to hear a success story with large tanks. I guess it's something you have to play by ear, so to speak, work out what's best for your individuals!

Yes thats definitley the way to go, you'll know what suits you hamsters I would have used a gabber rex originally (as I'd seen similar sized cages used by other breeders). However, Rowena was determined to chew out of it so it was safer for her to use the tank anyway x

[lisab]

I use dunas for my campbells. I wouldnt go any bigger for mum with babys. depending on how many were staying from a litter would depend on cage size when they were old enough to leave mum but other than that for the few weeks I am happy with it. I think smaller is the way to go as its only temporary