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Old 02-05-2007, 09:40 AM   #1
Holly
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Default Outdoor Exercise in Summer???

Ok so Spring is in the air (actually it's freezing out but we've had a few sunny days here and everything has started waking up in the garden ) so my thoughts have started to turn to summer.

I'm imagining lazy summer afternoons and evenings in the garden and I'm wondering if it's possible for our hamsters to experience them as well. The subject of hamsters having short exercise periods in the garden (securely fenced into a run and supervised closely at all times, of course) is something I haven't managed to find any information on, though there are pictures in some of my books of hamsters who are clearly outside on grass.

Is it safe to have them out on the garden for short periods?

We have an old rabbit run a bit like this:

http://www.simply-summerhouses.co.uk/de ... it_run.htm

..but without the hutch part (ours is just an open shelter) and my idea is to give the hammies individual time in this. I'd carry them to the run in a secure carry box to minimise risk of escape en route and stay with them at all times. I'd also try them in the run indoors first to make sure they can't squeeze through the wire mesh (my dad will fit chicken wire if I'm worried). Both Treacle and Custard wake up mid-afternoon and Mocha is awake in the mornings until after 9am usually so it would be possible for them to be out in daylight and when it's warm. I obviously wouldn't take them out when it's cold/wet/damp.

What do people think? Are there any major pitfalls (apart from the obvious ie escape/attack from cats etc for which I'll be watching at all times)? Does anyone do this with their hammies? Do hammies like it outside for a change of scenery or is it too stressful for them?
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Old 02-05-2007, 11:05 AM   #2
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I don't know too much about hammies but I would say its probably not a good idea (correct me if I'm wrong ) I'd be worried about them picking up diesease's, predators, escaping etc.
As I said I don't know too much about hammies so don't go off my opinion

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Old 02-05-2007, 11:10 AM   #3
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We have taken our hammies outdoors in summer and let them have a play in the grass before and they really enjoy it! We make sure we monitor them carefully at all times and if they try and nibble something then we pick them up and stop them, but as long as there is no weedkillers or anything on the grass there is no danger!
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Old 02-05-2007, 11:56 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pophammy
We have taken our hammies outdoors in summer and let them have a play in the grass before and they really enjoy it! We make sure we monitor them carefully at all times and if they try and nibble something then we pick them up and stop them, but as long as there is no weedkillers or anything on the grass there is no danger!
Thanks Pophammy, sounds like sensible advice. As I said I plan to get them into the run using a secure hamster carrier and will stay with them at all times once in the run. I've never used weedkiller or any other chemicals on my garden as I grow organic vegetables and I've lived here for almost four years so I don't think there's any danger there. I keep the grass short in summer so I'll be able to see exactly what they are nibbling on and stop them immediately if they look to be doing anything dangerous, plus watch for insects etc.

I think I might give it a try so I'll get the run ready while I'm waiting for the summer to come - I'll try them in it indoors to see if I need to change the wire mesh.

What gave me the idea is that I recently bought an old copy of The Observer's Book of Pets on ebay - this book was my favourite read for about five years from when I was aged about nine. I wasn't alllowed any pets until I was 13 when we got rabbits but what I really wanted was a hamster. My mum is terrified of rodents in general so, needless to say, I never got one . Anyway, this book has a lovely line drawning of a girl in the garden with her hamster. He is in a pen made up of four planks and bricks (I definitely prefer something more secure and enclosed now!) and I spent about five years dreaming that that was me with my hamster!!

Thanks for the advice!
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Old 02-05-2007, 12:09 PM   #5
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Yes ours enjoy a summer grass stroll. They also will clamber on the rockery closely supervised. If you put some toys in the pen they enjoy that but of course the other side of the grass is always greener and they do try and climb out. Watch out for swooping kestrals and bees/wasps as a sting can be fatal to a hammie.
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Old 02-06-2007, 09:45 AM   #6
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My Syrian used to love going out in the garden, and as I also have a rabbit run I will be letting Snowy and Smokey in there for a run this summer (Not when my rabbit is in there)! My run is massive, I can't wait till I see there little faces!
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Old 02-10-2007, 04:02 PM   #7
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Well all that has given me food for thought...will have to get something organised so that Hammy can enjoy time in the sunshine. I had thought about setting something up on my patio. The grass never entered the equation. Surely if hamsters are put on grass they will eat it so is that ok then?

I've seen those little hamster leads and harnesses and thought that they'd be good for Aidan although something is telling me that it's just another money-spinner. What do you all reckon?
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Old 02-10-2007, 04:52 PM   #8
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Well you've set me off now, on yet another quest, this time to find an outdoor pen suitable for hamsters. I'm looking for cheap and cheerful as I'm on an economy drive at the moment although times are not too hard just yet

So far I've come up with this:



Cheap in that it's £17.49 from Zooplus and the size is 115 x 52 cm. The bar spacing is about 3cm. Thought the net would be useful in terms of protection but I do think that the bars may be too far apart for hamsters as they may be able to sneak out and scuttle away, never to be seen again

What do you all think?
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Old 02-10-2007, 05:03 PM   #9
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It looks nice and big, Jill, but I don't know about the bars - I also think 3cm spacings is too wide, though I'm no expert. One other thing that concerns me is the net on top - is that supposed to be sufficient to protect against marauding cats? Perhaps that's what it's for and you'd be with Hammy anyway to shoo them off.

I don't know if it helps but the triangular run we've got was a cheapie out of the local paper - I'm going back a good few years but I think it only cost me 7 quid! I've found some small mesh at Wilkinsons in case I need to change it.

Roll on summer!
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Old 02-10-2007, 05:16 PM   #10
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Well my idea is to try to find something suitable without having to modify it as I'm useless at DIY and don't have anyone I can call upon to assist. Also is the mesh ok for hammies? If so then I might just get a rabbit run like the one in your pic. There are a few on ebay right now. I'm sure I can find someone to help with the mesh.

I've found this one too:



It's advertised as a small animal pen.

Was £62.45 with 32% off making it £42.55. Size is 36"L x 36"W x 25"H/91cmL x 91cmW x 63cmH.

Bar spacing looks dubious again though although I like the idea of the roof and door. No idea of bar spacing measurements as it didn't say.

I'll keep looking...probs be up half the night on a mission
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