Bin cages? Help!

[sailorjerry]

Good evening all,

After posting on another thread, trying to determine whether or not my hamster is obese (hahaha) it has dawned on me, thanks to some very helpful advice, that my Habitrail OVO dwarf hamster habitat is just too small for my little chunkster. I am really interested in bin cages. I've read a few threads, but I was wondering if someone could show me theirs? I want to see any, from beginners to experts!

I am a keen crafter in my spare time, but I am no expert (yet! haha)
Ideally, I'd like something relatively quick to make, as I'm a teacher so unfortunately I don't have much spare time.

Thanks in advance!
I've attached a photo of her current set up - nothing fancy (I've actually moved the tubes to be horizontal since this photo, as I learned that she, and other dwarf hamsters are actually scared of vertical drops... Whoops!)

[Shannonmcn]

I haven't got a bin cage myself but I can help you get started youtube is probably your best resource here
Erins Animals
ChocolateColours26
HammyLux
Those are three I subscribe to but there are a ton of videos to look at on youtube, watch as many as you can handle then figure out which method is going to work best for you!

One other thing I will say though is that since you're in the UK you're actually in a pretty good place for commercial cages, you'll notice those three people I linked above are all from the US where correctly sized barred cages are expensive and Cyprus which doesn't have a great selection at all. So unless you particularly want to make the cage as a project or need to save some cash then I'd recommend looking at zooplus.com, particularly the alaska which is a good size and great value for money

[sailorjerry]

Originally Posted by Shannonmcn

I haven't got a bin cage myself but I can help you get started youtube is probably your best resource here
Erins Animals
ChocolateColours26
HammyLux
Those are three I subscribe to but there are a ton of videos to look at on youtube, watch as many as you can handle then figure out which method is going to work best for you!

One other thing I will say though is that since you're in the UK you're actually in a pretty good place for commercial cages, you'll notice those three people I linked above are all from the US where correctly sized barred cages are expensive and Cyprus which doesn't have a great selection at all. So unless you particularly want to make the cage as a project or need to save some cash then I'd recommend looking at zooplus.com, particularly the alaska which is a good size and great value for money

Thank you, that's awesome!
I will have a look I would just like a fully plastic one, if that makes sense? I just know the ones that are generally used for house rabbits/guinea pigs are quite expensive (at the moment for me - I'm on a bit of a budget haha)

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Hi, yes those cages are far far too small for any hamster. Hamsters are active little things and love to run about as much as they can especially at night. I made a bin cage myself. It's not huge either but I plan to connect another one to it and put ledges in and make more space. Here is a pic it's not fancy at all I literally just drilled holes in the lid and and round the top of it. The one it's sitting on top of is the one I'm going to connect to it with a tube hopefully not sure whether to do it like that or side by side for the reason you pointed out being as it's difficult maybe climbing up and down tubes that are vertical.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

If anyone has any ideas for the both of us (sorry sailorjerry for gatecrashing your thread and including myself!) on how to make a fun bin cage that would be great

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Didn't realise you had replied Shannon, so I will have a look at those YouTube videos also thanks

[Penguin]

Ah now I see how you have the problem with the tiny ham getting stuck in the tubes sailorjerry!
Don't worry, a ton of people are in the same situation when it comes to cages - ànd ask themselves "why would stores sell a cage that wasnt okay in the first place?"

Both of you might get some ideas from one of the many 'Let's see your cages!' treads on here. Some members have made some pretty neat bin cages!

From January 2012
From January 2013
From January 2014
From May 2015

This tread on water bottle ideas might be handy too

You might find some great examples under 'Housing' as well. I know that Sanctuary made a stunning bin cage not long ago

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Yes I agree with you penguin, there are some places that sell cages that are really tiny. It's not good. Thanks for the links!

[sailorjerry]

Currently watching a bin cage tutorial! Think I'm going to have to go to Ikea some time soon