Detolf For Dwarf Campbells?

[Colby and the Dwarfs]

Honestly,I'd try it. If they're sisters(I'm assuming they are...?) , they have a great chance of getting along. I can't guarantee anything, but I would go for it.

[Truffle]

As long as you are aware of the possibility that a pair may need to be separated, and you have done your homework i.e supplying the hammies with two of everything (wheels, houses, water bottles). I see know real reason not to have a pair, the detolf is a fantastic cage- I have one for my Winter White, Pippa. I would just suggest providing plenty of cover in the cage, as the hamsters may be nervous of large open spaces (especially to begin with).

[Kissa]

Originally Posted by petz4life

Note: Please don't comment your experiences and thoughts, if you have either Winter Whites or Hybrids, even though they are classed as Russian Hamsters, the Dwarf Campbell has different genetics and DNA, so will therefore have different traits.

While I've never had hybrids, WWs or Campbells, I do know that a lot of the "rules" for keeping pairs together works across all three species (and Robos!), and also that there is never a guarantee that two hamsters will get along. You can do everything "right" and they still may fall out because they don't have compatible personalities.

[kyrilliondaemon]

My experience is primarily with hybrid pairs and groups, but I think a detolf could be a good cage for the pair. The thing that makes it difficult is that every pair/group can be different depending on the exact hams in it. For example a cage thats too big for one pair could actually be too small for another. Its all about judgement and getting things right for the exact hams involved.

A detolf is definetly big enough to work well if laid out well and the hams themselves have a good relationship, but I'd be careful about leaving it without a lid unless you're sure about keeping all the toys low.

I'd just follow all the general guidelines for pairs and see how it goes really. There're never any guarantees but at worst the detolf can be split and still make two reasonable single dwarf homes if you need it to

As Kissa says though, there is never a guarantee any pair or group won't fall out so you will always need to be alert for signs of trouble.

[CharlieB]

With a detolf I would say make a secure top for it, I have had hamsters escape with more distance to climb. Personally I find my guys fight more when they have such a large space, also discuss the cage with the breeder as they will know what the hams are used to. You don't want to overwhelm them with too much space.

[Hekomi]

I started off my two campbell's in a smaller cage. Then I added a level to that and saw how they got on together. After about... a month maybe of them being in that smaller cage, and once they were tame, we got them a 40gal terrarium and they love it.

The space is definitely great for a pair, and I found it means there's plenty of room for them to do whatever they please without getting into each other's space. I'd maybe start them off though with a smaller part of the detolf and expand it as they get more used to you and your space.

[racinghamster]

I don`t usually visit this section of the forum but the Detolf does look like a lovely habitat for a single or a pair of dwarf hamsters. I just wanted to say, IF they ever fell out, would you be able to take one of the glass shelves from the Detolf, slide it into the centre (where a glass shelf might normally sit in) and use aquarium sealant to hold it securely, therefor, having one hamster in each side? That way you could still use the whole habitat, but each hamster would have her own side to live in?

[lisab]

Its far too big for a pair. with so much space they will claim their own territory and will fight over it. Even with two of everything (imo makes it worse)
I would always suggest a zoozone 1 at a maximum from my experience of the many campbells I have and seeing what they are like in a larger or smaller cage.

I have a glass tank that houses 6 male campbells. It hasn't got a lid on, as long as they cant reach the top they would get out.

[Hamsterz4Life]

Thanks for the tips and advice everyone The Detolf Is A Lovely Cage...

[kyrilliondaemon]

Did you ever decide on if you'd use a detolf or not? If the breeder has the hams avaliable I can't imagine you'll be waiting long now