Ball pit as a hamster playpen?

[freyashamsters]

On Argos I've seen this Chad Valley ball pit. It's around 100x100cm and it's about £10. Can I use this as a playpen for Willow? Just thought it might be more cost effective than the actual wire playpens which are smaller and more expensive.

[cypher]

I think quite a lot of people use those as play pens but you would have to supervise carefully for chewing & escapes, I would guess a syrian could probably climb out without too much trouble!
Cheapest is probably a home made play pen with cardboard, not so cheap but more ham proof is correx, I just cut sheets to size & fasten at the corners with cable ties so it just folds flat when not in use.

[freyashamsters]

Thanks Cypher, I'd make sure to keep a close eye on her.
I might look into some Correx actually, so you know where I could get it?

[cypher]

I can't remember where I got mine now sorry, quite a few places do sell it though & prices vary a lot so maybe have a Google.

[freyashamsters]

Okay will do, thanks

[Pebbles82]

I got my correx on ebay but it was quite expensive. I bought about 8 sheets of A1 size I think and it cost about £25!

Or you could ask your local supermarket for large cardboard boxes and use the sides of them clipped together with bulldog clips. I do like the correx as stays firm and can't be chewed like cardboard.

Zooplus sell this wood one for about the same price. It's 30cm high so should be ok if you keep toys away from edges A reviewer has used it for a Syrian.

Skyline Ranch Arizona Indoor Run | Free P&P £29+ at zooplus!

The castle one is cheaper but it's only 23cm up to the battlements and 30cm total height which I reckon a syrian could climb over

Skyline Castle Indoor Run | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!

You could make something bigger with correx I guess but it does seem expensive stuff these days. They seem to be charging about £20 for 5 sheets most places

https://www.amazon.co.uk/840x600mm-s...=2mm+correx+A1

Or about £35 for 10 sheets which seems expensive.

[cypher]

I've looked at those skyline ones & wondered how easily a ham could push out those doors & windows, a sneaky chew here & there & they might be gone

[Pebbles82]

Lol - I guess you could glue a piece of wood across the outside. I wish they'd been available when I got my correx one - it would set up easier I think.

[ScoobyWoo]

We used to keep guinea pigs and their cage base was made from correx. We got it from a local sign writers. We just popped in and asked if there was any chance we could buy a large sheet or two from them and they were happy to let us have them for cost price. If you have a local sign writers or sign making workshop, it's worth a shot!

[oddlyoblivious]

I have a middle ball pit and it's lovely, I'm not sure about the longevity though as I catch them trying to dig at the corners