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Old 04-16-2017, 01:29 PM   #1
DennisJones
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Default Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Dennis-Sama's Habitat, a work in progress.

So, by popular demand I will show you Dennis-Sama`s habitat as I finish it off.

As described earlier I was clearing out the shed an realised I had a heap of wood propping up the wall, quickly assessed and decided " Yeah, lets make him a new home"

So, first stage was deciding which would be the base, I had a nice new board that was still cellophane wrapped from say.... 8 years ago so that would be the base. Walls next, I had some Ikea shelves (the long wooden ones) which would be high enough and were just over the depth of the base, PERFECT!

Now I didn't have enough shelves left to make the front and back walls... hmm quite a quandary I had here with some quarter circle shelves, a few short planks and some other odds and ends i thought perhaps I had overestimated my... WAIT!!!!!.... In the back of the mower sheds (yes I have many, like a hamster habitat) there were some bedding slats from a bed we got rid of years ago (also Ikea) I moved the boxes which I originally intended to clear out of the way, leaned over the mower and reached with the end of my fingers the slats that were still bound and dragged them out. I pulled off one the band that held them together and placed it along the front of the habitat. Perfect! about 4cm too long, cut those down and I can build the wall up the front.

Having jigsawed the ends off I placed some batons up the corners to brace it and nailed these planks on with that box of nails I used 5 out of 3 years ago.
It was at this point I realised it actually worked so I should take photos.



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Old 04-16-2017, 01:31 PM   #2
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

I then stood over it and thought where next? Hmmm "levels" always look cool in the videos on youtube so i set about with one of the smaller Ikea shelves and cut that up to make a raised platform. I then grabbed the ends off the wall and glued them together with wood glue to make some steps going up, and with that it was "level Complete"

Next I cut some discs out of wood and glued them side by side, waited for that to set and then with a single nail hammered a short plank onto it to make a see saw.



^^His old habitat inside the new^^

That was it for that day, I took it inside and introduced Dennis-Sama to his new habitat which lets be honest was a very stressful moment for him. Such a big living area with so many new smells.

So today I set out early to start making the lid, I braced 4 planks which were cut to fit the top with some metal Ikea shelf brackets. Screwed these on and attached a handle from an old wardrobe.



Tomorrow (would have been today but "holidays") I will staple the wire mesh to the lid and fix some hinges.

Once that is done and the materials arrive from Amazon I will take out the wall (front) where the platform is and replace it with 2 A3 sheets of perspex (cemented together) and beaded in place with wood. This will enable us to see inside what has become his new and luxurious hidey hole and burrow.

I have made a little fort out of a toasters cardboard packaging that i found when i eventually cleared out the shed with a connecting tissue tube to fill that open space and give him a hidey hole. He does however STILL love the tubes from his old habitat (that is where he is in this last picture.)



One last Ikea plug, I used a plastic bookend to hold his wheel upright, it clips on perfectly!


Last edited by DennisJones; 04-16-2017 at 02:39 PM.
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Old 04-16-2017, 02:36 PM   #3
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Looks very nice! You are quite skilled to have put that all together Looking forward to seeing the finished product
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Old 04-16-2017, 05:38 PM   #4
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Wow! I'd never be able to be that skilled.
Thanks for the last part! I've been trying to figure out a way to make Titania 's wheel stand up after I finish making my own cage.
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Old 04-16-2017, 08:27 PM   #5
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

As nice an idea as it is and as wonderful as it looks,there is one problem that worries me and really must be thought of.Are you certain of what type of wood everything is,and that nothing is treated?If not it actually may be unsafe
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Old 04-16-2017, 10:36 PM   #6
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Yes, its all pine and is definately un-treated as it was all bought "naked".

I sifted through all the wood before I started and laid the treated woods aside to ensure I didnt use it

It was something I was well aware of going through the build was "is this safe for him to eat should he decide to do so?"
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Old 04-16-2017, 11:02 PM   #7
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Looks really good! Dennis is one lucky little man

If you want to paint any of it to waterproof/pee proof it you can use Plastikote water based enamel paints or cuprinol garden shades both of which are safe.
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Old 04-16-2017, 11:44 PM   #8
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Wow, it looks awesome. Personally, I'd be wary of pine wood because my friend's hamster died after they let it gnaw a pine cone. However, the cone could be completely different to the wood and they never did discover if the pine cone gnawing was the cause of death, or just coincidentally occurred prior to the death.
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Old 04-17-2017, 01:49 AM   #9
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Pine is fine as long as it is untreated.It isn't the best substrate(some will disagree with me on that and say kiln dried pine shavings are perfectly fine,although that is debatable)but as a material to make toys and enclosures out of it isn't harmful.

I think the issues with pinecones may be that they came from unsafe sources(usually outdoors or otherwise bringing in deadly pesticides and such)although in general safely sourced ones don't tend to be harmful.

It's definitely a lovely cage though,I might have to try making something similar if I end up being able to fit yet another pet in once I move!
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Old 04-17-2017, 02:04 AM   #10
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Default Re: Dennis-Sama's Habitat, A work in progress.

Wow Dennis's new home looks fantastic You're clearly very good at DIY. I can see Dennis being very spoiled with such a creative Dad! I shall look forward to seeing it when you have got the rest of your materials
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