Do Hamsters and Birds Mix??

omz123 · 01-20-2013, 08:39 AM

No, I am not intending on breeding them lol. I am looking after my cousins finch (small birf) for a short period of time. I thought it would be nice for my hamsters to have a change of view, something more natural. so i thought i would put the bird cage inbetween my 2 hamster cages. The bird cage is more or less all wire and my hamster cage is all plastic except the wire grill to open it.

my question is, will they be okay with each other in this setting. i cant think of any problems except maybe allergies? i have no idea so i thought i would ask just in case.

thanks!

jesselle · 01-20-2013, 10:46 AM

i'm not sure but i'd imagine the bird sounds and smells may stress a hamster?

also, birds are predators of hams...

omz123 · 01-20-2013, 12:09 PM

Hmm...he does make sounds, that might influence him. Although, with regards to predatory. The finch is like half the size of a hamster, so I highly doubt that would be an issue.

jesselle · 01-20-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omz123

Hmm...he does make sounds, that might influence him. Although, with regards to predatory. The finch is like half the size of a hamster, so I highly doubt that would be an issue.

true, but i just meant the sounds etc...

Gizmo_Gonzalez · 01-20-2013, 02:02 PM

The only issue I can think of would be feceese of the bird? If somehow there was costs contamination between the cages than wouldn't be good the hammies. As for the predatory issue: i doubt the ham would know birds may be predatory. When I take my hams to family's the ham chases dogs and cats. Gonzalez loves the fur on mums Persian cats and attempts to pull the cats fur for bedding (cats petrified of ham!) and he loves climbing over my sisters dashhound-terrier (have to stop him as dog wants to play too but thinks Gonzales Is a teddy to tear! Put em together like that and see how the ham reacts.

omz123 · 01-20-2013, 03:19 PM

This is the set up at the moment

2013-01-20 22.02.26.jpg

omz123 · 01-20-2013, 03:20 PM

Oh yeah, it may look like they are hovering but I have placed long pieces of wood underneath the cages which they are resting on. Perfectly stable!

Trixafena2 · 01-20-2013, 03:41 PM

you'd be denying gravity if you didnt have a board under them haha! xD

I honestly don't think it'd be a bother as long as the bird doesnt seem to be stressed or the hams >< if the bird isn't noisy at least.

linford27 · 01-21-2013, 12:21 AM

I actually think you should move the bird - my birds make a terrible mess, flapping their seed husks and feathers everywhere, which is a health hazard for the hams.
Plus, birds awake in the day when hams are asleep, and hams awake when bird is asleep, so nobody will get a very good sleep....

petal10 · 01-21-2013, 02:11 AM

I would say that given how close together the cages are, it would be best to move the bird, as it will probably stress the hams out... I'm sure your hamsters don't need a change of view as long as they get plenty of out of cage time, so there's no point in stressing them unnecessarily