How much substrate ?

[Pebbles82]

Lol! Really impressed with the steps - wish I could make things like that. You could also maybe think about Fitch substrate or something else to mix in with the Carefresh to make it go further. Fitch is much cheaper but is sold in bulk - it's just white paper substrate - very similar to Carefresh but only comes in white. Just a thought if Carefresh starts working out expensive, but it might last ages if your ham uses his potty like a good ham!

This is the 10kg bale. The 20kg is only a few pounds more but it's huge!

Fitch Recycling - 10kg Single Smaller Bale For Smaller Critters - Fitch Pet Bedding

I hope Zooplus didn't charge you for four grass hammocks.

[don]

Mind reader !

As it happens, I ordered some fitch this morning from those guys.

No - just 1 grass hammock charge. The hammocks are delivered to zooplus packaged in packs of 4. There must have been a new guy in the warehouse who didn't realise this the day my order was being packed.

[Pebbles82]

When does your hammy arrive? He'll be a lucky hammy with a home like that.

[don]

We collect him in a few hours.

I'm just as excited as my 9-yr old daughter !

[Pebbles82]

Looking forward to meeting him! Have fun. I'm sure you already know this, but it's best to put them straight into the new cage and then leave them to settle in for 2 or 3 days without trying to handle them. This bit is really hard! Everyone wants to cuddle them straight away!

Meanwhile you can talk to the hamster through the bars so it gets to know your voice (we used to sing him a little song lol). After the first 2 or 3 days offer him a treat through the bars, then in a few days progress to putting a treat on your hand just near the cage entrance (don't put your hand too far inside the cage or they can freak out) and do this for a few days - the hamster should start walking onto your hand to get it. This is all building up trust. You could also do the tissue trick - put some toilet paper up your sleeve (or your daughter's sleeve) and leave it there for a few hours, then tear it into strips and put it in the cage. The Hamster may use some for nesting material but it will become familiar with yours or your daughters scent from this.

They vary on how tame and handleable they are, after that, but let us know how you get on! We had a few hary moments and could only get ours out in a ball at first. If we tried to hold him he would wriggle and leap and then skedaddle so fast we nearly lost him. So always best to handle them low, and over something soft in case they jump or fall.

Anyway - enough - have fun!