Converting hamster balls into hanging nests?

[Susie]

Well, along with Wilbur of whom was brought to me yesterday i have been given two dwarf sized balls.
I never use hamster balls since the untimely passing of my beloved Greyson (Syrian Hamster) who died as a consequence of a supervised run in the ball. He'd got his feet stuck in the air slits...panicking and straining to get out had broken his back, his legs and suffered paralysis.. he took himself off to the bridge before i and my ex could get him to the vets to be set free.

So my question is how can i attach the balls to the bars of the cage so that they can be used as a hanging nest area? What materials and where from can i purchase what's needed to make the nest?

Thanks in advance

[Womblehands]

mmmmmmmmmmm Its a nice idea but they could still get their feet caught in the slits. You could just get them a hammock or a sputnik.

[GhostsInSnow]

You could line them with cardboard to cover the slits I think, or at least the bottom of it.
I think, if you're using a barred cage, you could use cable ties to attach it to the bars

[Susie]

I don't think they'd get the feet stuck in the slits if it is used as a nest... the bottom would be covered in substrate.
This may sound really dumb.. but i dont know what cable ties are

[Vectis Hamstery]

They are plastic strips from DIY shops that you loop round things. There are pictures of them as they are when you buy them here:
B&Q Cable Ties 4.8mm x 280mm, Pack Of 100, 0000003713587
And in use here:
Photo Guide to Making a Bin Cage

[Leesha]

I remember seeing something somewhere where a woman had made one for her rats. Looked really good it was just stuffed with bedding

[JimTehHackr]

That's most probably the greatest idea I've heard.

I'm sorry about your loss, first of all. To prevet such accident again, you should first patch the holes of the ball. There are many ways to do that, just use your imagination. Remember to leave 3 holes open, in a triangle shape, so you can hang it later.

You should then put paper (not the one we write on of course :P) in the ball until half of the ball is full.

After that use 5 strings in order to make a big one, and repeat that two more times. We want 3 strings to prevent the ball from turning, and therefore preventing your hamster from getting dizzy. Find a nice place to hang it, and make sure the exit it not in the midde, but a bit higher, so the bedding stays in.

I hope you like my idea. Tell me if your ham likes it. =D

[crazycatlady5]

Originally Posted by Susie

Well, along with Wilbur of whom was brought to me yesterday i have been given two dwarf sized balls.
I never use hamster balls since the untimely passing of my beloved Greyson (Syrian Hamster) who died as a consequence of a supervised run in the ball. He'd got his feet stuck in the air slits...panicking and straining to get out had broken his back, his legs and suffered paralysis.. he took himself off to the bridge before i and my ex could get him to the vets to be set free.

this is the saddest thing i have ever heard. my heart is breaking. to think something that should have been innocent and fun caused a death to a beautiful little creature. im so sorry for you and your little one.

i never even thought of using hamster balls, because i have five cats. but this just seals the deal.