Bin Cage Help Please!

[Cathii]

I'd like a detailed description of how to build a bin cage (preferably with photos) please!!
I've got a 60x40cm storage box I am hopefully converting into a cage for a pair of roborovski hamsters!

[Lougarry]

There's this on the Wiki. If it's for your robos, if the bin is deep enough you probably don't even need to mesh it, just leave the lid off.

How to make a custom bin cage! - Hamster Central WIKI

[Lougarry]

PS Here are some robo bin set ups from Tammy's forum:
• View topic - A Few Idea's for robo homes

[AngelAmes]

Hi I can help I have a bin cage that my single robo lives in at the moment.by uncle helped me make it and I really like it. I don't have any pictures of work in process but I have just taken some pictures to help out with explanations.
Here is a picture of the whole thing complete


I used the 50l very useful box from staples which is extremely sturdy.

Firstly, we drilled holes in the lid of the box and in the corners of the box for ventilation.we did Quite a few in the lid. Be careful as the plastic may be a little brittle and if you put too much pressure on the drill you can cause it to split. We just used the weight of the drill to push through and make the holes.I know that some people use a soldering iron to make the holes as well.
Here are some pictures





Then I did a place for two water bottles. We did this by drilling a hole big enough for the spout of the bottle we were going to use then four tiny holes a little bit up so that we could tie it on with wool or string.







Here is the other water bottle hole. As you can see it cracked when it was drilled but it was the only hole to do so.



I also put in a divide barrier just in case I had to separate, which I did. We achieved this by using bits of dowel rod and placing them down the edge of the bin far enough apart for the divide to fit in. We stuck it to the side using a really strong multipurpose glue and increased the stickiness by first rubbing sand paper along the side to make it rough.



The divide is made from a bit of plastic that we cut to size. It was a little tricky as the sides of the box slope inwards. We used a template of cardboard to start with and then drew round it onto the plastic and cut it out. The plastic is just slotted in and out between the dowel rods.

Here is a picture when I used it as a split cage


I also put shelves in two of the corners. These were just cheap wood corner shelves from a DIY store and again we glued the onto the side using the same glue. We also put a piece of wood underneath as a support just for extra stability.



I know shelves are not very good for a pair of robos but these shelves are really small so I don't see the problem. You can always make it without. I also made a little ladder out of lolli sticks so they can get up to he levels.

I think it's is everything. If you have any questions just pm me or reply in this tread . I will be happy to help.

I know there are many other ways to make a bin cage and this is how I dd it and I think it works really well. I am really happy with it. And so is pippin.

Special thanks to pippin who woke up especially to pose for you
Hope this helps

[Lougarry]

I love how Pippin sneaked into nearly every picture!

[AngelAmes]

Thank you
She was just being nosey

[kyrilliondaemon]

We did ours by meshing instead of doing holes, but we basically still did holes to start, then sawed along the edges of lines we'd drawn earlier to cut out rectangles. Then we did holes where we wanted bolts (and now cable ties) and just bolted the mesh on. Now we've redone it and cable-tied the mesh on which does look a fair bit neater really.

[Cathii]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

There's this on the Wiki. If it's for your robos, if the bin is deep enough you probably don't even need to mesh it, just leave the lid off.

It's 25cm high, is this too low for my roborovskis?

[Cathii]

Originally Posted by AngelAmes

I also put shelves in two of the corners. These were just cheap wood corner shelves from a DIY store and again we glued the onto the side using the same glue. We also put a piece of wood underneath as a support just for extra stability.

I know shelves are not very good for a pair of robos but these shelves are really small so I don't see the problem. You can always make it without. I also made a little ladder out of lolli sticks so they can get up to he levels.

Hi! Thanks for this useful post
I found the same shelves in B&Q, but I want to know is did it seem fine just stuck to the side or does it need the extra support.

Also will/have they chewed the lolly sticks?

[Cathii]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

There's this on the Wiki. If it's for your robos, if the bin is deep enough you probably don't even need to mesh it, just leave the lid off.

How to make a custom bin cage! - Hamster Central WIKI

Thanks for this link! It's very useful