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Old 09-14-2017, 11:42 AM   #1
SunsetPets
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Default How long before switching cage

I got two robos yesterday, but they are in a small 60x40cm cage, which is way to small, but I had to take what I had in the situation. I am getting a new big cage tomorrow, but how long should I wait before I switch cages, since they did switch cages yesterday?
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Old 09-14-2017, 12:05 PM   #2
velma
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

Hi & welcome to HC! Ah, lovely robos As you'll probably have seen if you've had a little look at the thread boards, keeping a pair can be tricky & it doesn't take much for them to fall out. Opinions will vary when it comes to the right size cage for any hamster & when is best to move them but I'd personally say in this instance that I'd leave them as they are for the time being. They've already had one upheaval so I'd let them get used to living together in a new place before uprooting them again. It seems to work best if you have houses with more than one entrance & if you have two of everything & just make sure to keep an eye out for any bickering. And have fun!
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Old 09-15-2017, 07:22 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

I agree about letting them settle in before upgrading them. Another change could make them squabble and then you'd need to separate them and need two cages. You might need two cages anyway!

How old are they do you know? Just give them a big pile of torn up plain white toilet paper torn into strips in a heap somewhere in the cage so they can build cosy nests and get used to their current cage. They like to scent mark in the first few days so it smells familiar.

If you don't have two food bowls you can scatterfeed but otherwise they do need two of everything - even if they end up sharing some things, as they can get territorial over a house or wheel or water bottle, so there always needs to be two so they can have one each. For houses you can just use a cardboard box like a tissue box, if you don't have two. Houses with two entrances are good for pairs as well (easy with a tissue box, you just cut two holes). Or a child size shoebox maybe. Two wheels as well, if you haven't got them.

At least you'll have plenty of time to plan the layout and set up the new cage when it comes. If you did need to separate them, a single robo should be fine in a 60 x 40 cage, depending on the individual robo - some will be very active and want masses of space and some can be quite shy and retiring.
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Old 09-15-2017, 09:39 AM   #4
SunsetPets
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

Thanks for answers!
I got the new cage today, and it is 100x50cm, which should be big enough. They already have two of everything except water, but I now also have two water bottles to put in the new cage. Right now they are sleeping together in an open nest (they are so cute when they are cuddling each other), and they have a thick layer of care fresh that they have used in their nest. They only have two small houses now, as it is all I had, but I now have lots of wooden houses with two entrances.
I think they are around 6 weeks old.
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Old 09-15-2017, 11:38 AM   #5
flowerfairy
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

I have read on here that moving a pair to a bigger can lead to them falling out.

It happened to my last robo pair, Flower and Fairy (rip).

My current pair live in a small glass perfecto tank and are happy together.
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Old 09-15-2017, 12:12 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

Is it the Barney or Alexander cage by any chance? I think an upgrade will be fine once they have settled and they might need a bit more space. You'd just have to do the changeover carefully. I believe it is quite common for a pair to fall out even if they aren't moved, and often when hormones kick in, but there are successful pairings as well. One thing I read (not science here, just opinion) said that it can even be as much as taking one out for playtime but not the other, that can start territorial behaviour. So that might be something to bear in mind.

If you want any tips setting up the 100cm cage when you're ready to move them, then come on here first maybe. There are people on here with large set ups for dwarf hammies who might have some tips. For robos I think you need lots of overhead cover and floor toys and no too much open space, lots of hidey places, plus deep substrate and a set up that avoids fall risks.
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Old 09-15-2017, 12:54 PM   #7
SunsetPets
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

Thanks again for answers!
It is the Ferplast Maxi Duna Multy
It looks like they are fine for now, but I will be on the lookout for signs of them not getting along!
I have lots of bendy bridges, houses, tunnels and other toys for the big cage that I think will be perfect for them.
My mom also says that she doesn't care if they have to be separated, just because we can give them a much better life then they had before we got them! She is so sweet with these little creatures and loves to cuddle with my other dwarf hamster, and she checks in with all of them several times a day.
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Old 09-15-2017, 01:15 PM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

The Ferplast maxi duna multy is an excellent choice. I'm sure they'd upgrade well to that and no fall risks. When they're ready.
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Old 09-30-2017, 11:24 AM   #9
SunsetPets
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

Just wanted to do a little update
Thy have now switched cages, and they are doing really well.
What I did was I divided the big cage, so that it was the same size as their small cage, and put in their bedding and toys. It looked like they didn't even notice the cage switch.
After about three days I removed the divider, and they now have the whole big cage, with no fighting so far In the small cage they did chase each other and wrestle a lot, but now they dont do that anymore.
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Old 09-30-2017, 12:44 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How long before switching cage

That sounds great! Clever idea.
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