Ferplast Mini Duna for Two Russians - Page 2

AmityvilleHams · 11-27-2016, 01:36 PM

It is much easier to find signs of displeasure with cage size and setup in a barred cage than a tank style cage.Some hamsters will obsessively dig at corners,in actual aquariums they might chew the sealant,some will pace,etc.The main focus is that these are obsessive behaviors and they are not normal,so they must be at the very least attempted to be solved.However,just because you have a nice setup doesn't mean your hamster or hamsters will be happy in a smaller cage.

alpacassei · 11-27-2016, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

It is much easier to find signs of displeasure with cage size and setup in a barred cage than a tank style cage.Some hamsters will obsessively dig at corners,in actual aquariums they might chew the sealant,some will pace,etc.The main focus is that these are obsessive behaviors and they are not normal,so they must be at the very least attempted to be solved.However,just because you have a nice setup doesn't mean your hamster or hamsters will be happy in a smaller cage.

Thank you! I was woried that I could be missing signs that they're unhappy but I haven't noticed any of those behaviours in Stephano and Fransisco but I will keep an eye out just in case and I'll be buying them a larger cage in January (or sooner if they start becoming unhappy with their cage size)

Maybe the reason they're happy with their small cage is because I only bought them a month ago and their pet shop cage was smaller so they think this is a lot of space?

AmityvilleHams · 11-27-2016, 03:44 PM

Just because it is bigger doesn't mean hamsters won't express the same signs

Some hamsters just react differently.My Syrian for example exhibits all those things in a tank much larger than a pet shop enclosure,however she still ends up doing the same thing in something a bit less than twice the size of her current enclosure.Sometimes you can't fix problems with layout alone,but it is still important to keep an eye out for those behaviors as you will be doing!

Fluffagrams · 11-27-2016, 04:23 PM

Mine have become quite nervy when they've been unhappy in their cages to the point where anything would have sent them back into their nests. When James, my oldest Chinese had problems in his cage he literally appeared to be afraid of his own shadow and it got to the point where he'd be reluctant to venture out in his cage at all. James was normally quite a chilled and laid back hamster so for him to behave like that was rather odd. One of my other Chinese was less specific in her behaviour when she was unhappy in her cage but she was acting out of character which is what made me suspect that something was not quite right.

I think it's like Amity suggests in that every hamster might react differently so having an idea on your hamster's usual behaviours will help you work out if there's something not quite right.

I've found that with new hamsters, they're happy enough to start with in smaller cages because they are still having to adjust to being without their siblings. It's almost like they need the security of a smaller space for a bit longer sometimes whilst they get used to the idea that they're now on their own in the big scary wide world.

I bred a litter of Chinese recentely and although Matthew (the one I kept from the litter) was born here and has lived in his current tank since he and his brothers were separated from their mother three weeks ago, he's found it hard to settle this week without his brothers in there with him.

Pebbles82 · 11-28-2016, 03:35 AM

If they seem happy in the current set up it might be best to just leave it as it is for now. Although as Fluffagrams says they can maybe be happy initially but later might need more space. If they are not showing stress behaviours and the set up is working, then maybe leave it as it is for now. If there is any sign of fighting at some point though you would need to separate them.

The Alaska is quite a tall cage for dwarf hamsters and setting them up carefully is needed - very sad about your brother's hammy. Hanging toys and things with chains can also cause such accidents when hammies get their feet caught in chains.

So maybe don't upgrade just yet. But if and when you do I would go for something without platforms and tubes. That might be working ok now, but with a big change like a cage change they could then develop territorial behaviour over levels and tubes. Something like the standard duna multy gives more floor space - you can have deeper substrate and floor toys can compensate for the levels and tubes (ie a tunnel or two that is big enough for them to both fit inside) and give good enrichment. Also if they are used to a tank style, a tank style or bin cage might work best

And it sounds like you would feel more relaxed with that style rather than a cage after the accident with your brother's hammy. Having said that - even tanks and bins have vents/bars on top - but it is harder for a hammy to get up there with a tank style. A lower wider cage does tend to be better - less distance to fall - more floor area for digging tunnels and foraging.

alpacassei · 12-02-2016, 11:18 AM

I measured their cage and including the platform (which they happily share) it's 75cm x 39cm (not including the approx 70cm of tubing which they also share) so it's actually 4cm longer and only 7cm thinner than the duna multy I was recommended instead of their current cage so does that mean they're fine for space since they both use the platform and tubes? I'm confused sorry.

Pebbles82 · 12-02-2016, 02:51 PM

It sounds like you have the Duna fun large rather than the mini duna, by the measurements. The mini duna is 55cm long I think. Anyway 75 x 39 is fine for two robos and if they are getting on fine it, no need to change really.

alpacassei · 12-02-2016, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It sounds like you have the Duna fun large rather than the mini duna, by the measurements. The mini duna is 55cm long I think. Anyway 75 x 39 is fine for two robos and if they are getting on fine it, no need to change really.

Ah I meant I took the length of their platform and added it to the overall cage length so it's 55cm without the platform but 75cm with it. The tubes are ones I added myself and not ones that came with the cage.

Also they're Russian hybrids not to robos

I wish I could have robos though

AmityvilleHams · 12-02-2016, 04:09 PM

Platforms don't change the floor space of a cage

You have one set floor space,and then any add ons such as modular additions(things connected by tubes and such)and shelves,platforms,etc don't count towards that.

Pebbles82 · 12-02-2016, 04:23 PM

Amity's right there. Floor space size is just the continuous floor area. Even so a 55cm cage with levels is better than a 55cm cage without levels. Although levels aren't recommended with dwarf pairs, if yours are ok with it, then that sounds ok. An upgrade could be good, but if they seem happy in there, then maybe leave it a while. If they fall out at some point you'll need to get another cage anyway.