Bunny pen conversion?

jessjunipan · 04-11-2016, 12:14 PM

Hello, I'm new.

I've had my first ever hamster just a few months, she's a beautiful black and white Syrian called Pandora.

She was in a bog standard wire hammy cage until I upgraded her to a billy extension job, however even with the wire cage attached its way too small for her.

I can dream up all sorts of DIY cages but it's unrealistic option for me really, I think I'm probably going to get her a Barney cage but really would have liked something bigger. Say 120x60cm would be amazing.

I could accommodate a detolf however I want something wider and I don't think Pandora enjoys being in a tank environment.

So I was wondering if converting a indoor rabbit cage was a realistic option, and if anyone had done And if so would they share their experiencs with me?

any pictures would also be amazing

AmityvilleHams · 04-11-2016, 12:27 PM

It might be better to just make a DIY cage.You could use mesh instead of plexiglass/acrylic and that would actually make the whole project fairly cheap as well as much better for Pandora.Do a melamine base,not sure how tall the bottom of the front frame needs to be in cm but I'd say in inches at least 14 to allow for a proper amount of substrate as well as keeping that amount of substrate in.You can do the same on all sides with mesh,and it works out sturdier than just mesh and cheaper than if you have plexiglass involved in the whole project.

flowerfairy · 04-11-2016, 01:04 PM

My last hamster lived in a five foot by two foot double story rabbit cage. She was a real bar chewer which is why i gave her that space.

She did gnaw on the doorway between the nest area and the main cage also on the wood between the mesh but couldnt get her teeth into the smooth plywood walls therefore didn't escape.

I think hutches make great hamster homes. Nice access and plenty of space. Awful for rabbits though!

jessjunipan · 04-11-2016, 01:38 PM

Thank you

I think I'm going to get the Barney, loads of people seem to love it and I'm Pandora will too

RubyDG · 04-11-2016, 02:34 PM

You can get large rabbit cages to use for hamsters, issue being the bar spacing, but you can mesh the cage if you're not particularly bothered by the way it looks. There are also some cages you can order from the german amazon that deliver to the UK that are 120cm, a few members here have gone that route. Hopefully one of them will comment with a link to those if you're interested.

AmityvilleHams · 04-11-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubyDG

You can get large rabbit cages to use for hamsters, issue being the bar spacing, but you can mesh the cage if you're not particularly bothered by the way it looks. There are also some cages you can order from the german amazon that deliver to the UK that are 120cm, a few members here have gone that route. Hopefully one of them will comment with a link to those if you're interested.

The big problem with rabbit cages is they tend to have very shallow bases which don't suit natural needs for hamsters.

On the note of hutches,I would say no since they're very easily chewed and it's cheaper to just build a cage than buy a hutch.Hutches also do not allow for enough substrate.

Pebbles82 · 04-12-2016, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessjunipan

Thank you

I think I'm going to get the Barney, loads of people seem to love it and I'm Pandora will too

Looking forward to seeing your Barney set up!

flowerfairy · 04-12-2016, 05:39 AM

The barney is a great choice. Its a wonderful sturdy cage with lots of space for extra levels if you want and a deep base for substrate.

Look forward to seeing pictures of it set up with a cute hamster inside!

chesca_27 · 04-12-2016, 10:21 AM

You could always try the Ferplast 120 (guinea pig cage. NOT suitable for rabbits - too small) and mesh it. I don't know if anyone's done it, but the base is quite deep with AMAZING access to your pet. I use it for my guinea pigs (hoping to get a c and c cage for them soon). Zooplus, pets at home and probably Amazon stock it. I got mine from Zooplus for around £45 which is much lower than retail value. Another option is connecting two Ikea Billy's together.

jessjunipan · 04-13-2016, 03:23 PM

Hey Chesca_27,

yes I was looking at that exact cage! amazing size and deep too! That's what I was referring too really, not a hutch. I keep changing my mind, it's not really an easy decision, extending my billy is another idea. I always aim to give Pandora an hour or so of exercise each night (out the cage, not in a ball) so I know she is getting exercise/exploring time every night so her cage is not the be all and end all of her life, but of course I want it to be awesome.