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Old 02-10-2016, 01:07 PM   #1
Oscarsmum
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Default Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

Does anyone know if there is a thread with pics/ideas for the setup for a tall cage?

I'm new to owning hamsters and when our rehomed 6 month old arrived in a tiny thing of a cage, my heart just broke and I grabbed the first large cage I found on Gumtree! Which turned out to be for rats, as I later discovered... (Mamble, I think its called)

So.. its 100cm long, which is great. But.. its also quite tall and I'm worried he is going to fall from a shelf or from climbing the sides...

Am hoping its ok to stick with this cage and just makes some adjustments! Any help/ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
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Old 02-10-2016, 03:50 PM   #2
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

Here is a picture of my Mamble just after I set it up. I've changed a few things here and there but I've found this setup works well so haven't changed it much.



I bought a multi-pack of wooden shelves off ebay and then bought the big wooden shelf in the middle separately off ebay as well. A lot of people like to use hammocks with the Mamble as well but my little fluff monster hates hammocks so it was shelves only for us. To be honest though I think the shelves work better as long as they're staggered so that there are no long drops anywhere. I also found as soon as I changed to this set up he stopped monkey barring and climbing up the bars of the cage - although every hamster's different so there's no guarentee there! I took the big tubes that come with the cage out as I felt they used up too much space inside the cage but they're well used during playtime . The Mamble is a good cage for a Syrian as long as it's set up properly to avoid the risk of falls. It gives you a lot more room to play with plus I never have any issues fitting toys and wheels and whatnot in the cage.

EDIT: Found an old post I did on the Mamble cage with links to where I bought all the shelves and stand, it's at the bottom of the page : clicky
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Last edited by RubyDG; 02-10-2016 at 03:58 PM.
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Old 02-10-2016, 04:39 PM   #3
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

Thats fab Ruby! Thanks ever so much! Really good inspiration. Yes, I'm finding it hard to place things so that he wont have any risk of falls. I was wondering if it was an idea to make a whole separate floor from a piece of wood/shelf... But your use of smaller shelves seems to do the trick!
Thanks so much!
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Old 02-10-2016, 04:45 PM   #4
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

I have two tall cages and in both cages I use two large overlapping shelves to prevent falls. Between them they cover all the height of the cage and if a hamster falls I know they don't have far to go before they land on a shelf or the floor. It works really well for the hamsters in those cages. A lot of smaller shelves could do the same thing, I just find it easier to be sure I've covered the whole cage when with the big shelves
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Old 02-10-2016, 05:55 PM   #5
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oscarsmum View Post
Thats fab Ruby! Thanks ever so much! Really good inspiration. Yes, I'm finding it hard to place things so that he wont have any risk of falls. I was wondering if it was an idea to make a whole separate floor from a piece of wood/shelf... But your use of smaller shelves seems to do the trick!
Thanks so much!
I'm keen myself to make a full level shelf as I think it would make the best use of the space and completely take away the risk of falls . I've been wanting to do it for ages actually but I've just never gotten there. If I had a do-over I'd go for the full level shelf from the beginning. Budget wise I think it would probably work out the same than buying a bunch of smaller shelves. The only thing with that is of course access to the shelf. The way I plan to do it if I ever get there is to turn the roof into a giant door like I was talking about in your other thread
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Old 02-11-2016, 11:36 AM   #6
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

I was also going to just add that you should make sure to put clips on the side of each of the doors. A clever and persistant hamster could push the door at an angle and squeeze out. It happened to a forum member once and I've seen my little guy have a good go at it. I now make sure the doors are always secured with additional clips.
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Old 02-11-2016, 02:29 PM   #7
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

I also bought some wood shelves from Ranch house cages on ebay, like Ruby did. They sell single shelves and also packs of various sized shelvss, but the single shelves, like Ruby bought, are larger and you can choose the width of it.

You could actually make a full level with some of these. eg a 30cm deep one along each short side, and they do a 45cm x 15cm one that could go along the back and front of the cage, slightly overlapping (ie sitting on top) of the side shelves. That would leave you with a full level with a hole in the middle approx 20cm deep by 40cm wide. You could have access up to the level through the hole either with a ladder or a tube and 'block off' the remaining gap with a ladder or something across it. I think a hammock over the gap is still a bit of a risk as they can fall out of hammocks and down the hole and knock against things on the way down, but I did have an idea to use something like this Trixie platform - to stand on the level over the gap (or most of the gap with the rest blocked off with something else - a ladder or bendy bridge/ladder eg).

Trixie Natural Living Shelter, 30 x 22 x 25 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

But if the Mamble comes with those corner shelves I guess it makes sense to use those too. Although it takes a bit of thought to set up, the advantage is that there are lots of shady places to sit under Hams seem to like being under something I find (don't think it is just ours).

If you can make a full level though, it could be good and interesting!

Last edited by Pebbles82; 11-26-2022 at 05:50 PM.
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Old 02-13-2016, 10:26 AM   #8
Oscarsmum
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

Thanks for all your suggestions, its fab to have your advice!

I really do want to make a full level shelf as I think it would make the most of the space plus make sure to prevent falls. Just have to find out how Might have to ask my husband if he can cut me a piece of wood in the right size!.. hmmm..
Also, the plastikote thing that everyone says is a must - where can I buy that?

At the moment I'm using the 2 plastic corner shelves that the mamble came with, but if I put them both sort of in the middle, height wise, the wheel wont fit underneath! So they are now at separate levels with the plastic tube as connector... I tried a hammock yesterday but he had no idea what it was and simply just tumbled over the side of it (luckily just falling onto the substrate), so I dont feel really confident using hammocks...

Do you think it would be possible to ask the Ranch people to make a shelf in the right size? Would prob be quite expensive with postage tho..might be worth asking at the local B&Q/Homebase too...

Will let you know how I get on!

Another thing: I fixed the cage top yesterday to use it as a full opening top. It was easy to just put cable ties on the one full length but I haven't yet found any clips that are strong enough to hold the sides together! (so its not in use yet) Any ideas?? They must be no wider than about 1cm!...
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Old 02-13-2016, 01:08 PM   #9
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

I'm glad the top opening worked so well! For the front doors of the Mamble I've just used standard 'lobster' clips that I got from my local craft shop - I've attached an image at the bottom. You can find them all over online but I bought mine in person because the inside diameter of the clips can vary and I needed just enough space to clip two bars together without leaving too much space for an enterprising hamster to squeeze through. I think these should work for the roof as well. Let me know if you find ones that maybe look nicer or work better - I'm still keen to do the same with the roof of my Mamble as well

As for the full level shelf it depends on your budget. Certainly easier asking for a custom shelf to be made but I think just measuring and then getting the wood cut at B&Q will work out a lot cheaper. Then you just need screws and washers to attach.
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Last edited by RubyDG; 02-13-2016 at 01:15 PM.
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Old 02-13-2016, 02:49 PM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Tall cage (rat cage) setup for hamster?

I wouldn't fancy making a full level lol! Marc on here has just made one though, he might have some tips. Yes where to put a wheel is always an issue! I think under the level on the floor of the cage is probably best as if it was on the shelf/level that would be a big drop to the level. On the other hand then the level needs to be quite high and makes access more difficult. Another option is have the wheel going through the level kind of.

I sort of did this with our cage, but it's not as tall as yours, and it's what some people do with the Alexander I think.

To do this it would be easier to achieve with separate shelves. So on mine I've got a full width shelf at both sides, the wheel on the back of the cage next to the left side shelf (just 1cm or so gap) and another shelf along the back wall overlapping the right shelf slightly. This leaves the centre without a shelf in mine, so you would then need another shelf along the front leaving a hole in the middle for acess with something over it and possibly another shelf over the top of the wheel so they can't fall down in front of or behind the wheel.

A full level might be easier if you can get one made. I think Ranch house cages do make custom shelves/levels if you email them. Theirs are very easy to fit, but as Ruby says it might be cheaper to get a piece cut at a diy store (but more of a fiddle fixing it).

Have a look at Marc' full level - he has left an access slot at the front which is a good idea and just needs one small shelf over it.

Plastikote: I get the brush on water based enamel - hardly smells of anything, covers well and dries in a couple of hours. A couple of coats should do. I just painted it on with a standard half inch paint brush (although did buy a new one for the job) - I actually got a pack of mixed sizes for about £3. The pots are quite small but coverage is good. With my pot I have done a wood wheel and two shelves. One pot should do a full level, but if it was a few separate shelves two pots might be an idea.

There are a few Amazon sellers. I got ours from AP Motor Store

Plastikote B26W 59 ml Enamel Paint Bottle - Clear: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Watch for chewing if you have a hammock. It should be ok, but if they start chewing it's best to remove it.

Marc's full level for his cage is on this thread - he might have some tips!

Rat cage for a hamster?
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