Does anyone have the Barney cage?

Bethany77 · 12-11-2016, 03:48 PM

My new Barney cage is coming tomorrow for my two new dawarfs, Coco and Vanilla. They are currently living in a Zoo Zone 1 so I thought they would need a larger cage.

I'm kinda worried because some people are saying the dimensions of the barney are only 70x40 but the one I ordered says it was 100x50 and I would use it without the levels obviously because they are a pair.

So far they only have little squabbles where Vanilla will sniff Coco's belly and coco will flip over and vanilla will (sniff??) his belly and coco will squeak, then they will go back to being normal. Is that just play fighting?

They also have two of everything so there will hopefully be no fights!

Coco61 · 12-12-2016, 01:23 PM

Yes, many of us have a barney cage. It is 100x50 at its best but the sides slopes inwards so the internal dimensions are a bit less but not nearly as small as 70x40.

Bethany77 · 12-12-2016, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco61

Yes, many of us have a barney cage. It is 100x50 at its best but the sides slopes inwards so the internal dimensions are a bit less but not nearly as small as 70x40.

Thank you for your reply

I just got it today and it is huge!

Pebbles82 · 12-12-2016, 01:36 PM

It is isn't it! There used to be an older version of the Barney that was about 82cm by 50cm. This newer version, as you've found - is 100cm by 54cm

One tip I can give with it, which might help with dwarfies, is because is has such narrow bar spacing, the substrate doesn't fall out. Depending what substrate you use. I use Fitch and have had it piled 4 or 5 inches up against the bars in places and it doesn't fall out. I definitely have it piled up under the two front doors, so our Syrian can get to the doors easily. So it might be worth having extra deep substrate. That way it reduces the overall internal height (reducing risk of falls from a height) and also allows them to tunnel if they want to. For floor toys I would avoid anything hard because they could still climb the bars to the roof and fall off, although you could maybe put a large hammock attached either side of the top door (I have this at the moment for a different reason) - not sure if a hammock is ok with a pair, or if it counts as a level, but someone else should know.

AmityvilleHams · 12-12-2016, 01:41 PM

I don't think hammocks are okay for pairs

If a hammock were used for any hamster though,it would have to be just fleece with no batting inside and no sherpa lining as both things are unsafe as they will cause digestive system blockages.Plus,most hamsters will chew fabric so even fleece is often unsafe for that reason as fabric can't be digested.

Bethany77 · 12-12-2016, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It is isn't it! There used to be an older version of the Barney that was about 82cm by 50cm. This newer version, as you've found - is 100cm by 54cm

One tip I can give with it, which might help with dwarfies, is because is has such narrow bar spacing, the substrate doesn't fall out. Depending what substrate you use. I use Fitch and have had it piled 4 or 5 inches up against the bars in places and it doesn't fall out. I definitely have it piled up under the two front doors, so our Syrian can get to the doors easily. So it might be worth having extra deep substrate. That way it reduces the overall internal height (reducing risk of falls from a height) and also allows them to tunnel if they want to. For floor toys I would avoid anything hard because they could still climb the bars to the roof and fall off, although you could maybe put a large hammock attached either side of the top door (I have this at the moment for a different reason) - not sure if a hammock is ok with a pair, or if it counts as a level, but someone else should know.

Thank you

I use fitch too! But my dad hates me using loads of it because he thinks its a 'waste' so I can only get away with using a 3 inches at most

Bethany77 · 12-12-2016, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

I don't think hammocks are okay for pairs

If a hammock were used for any hamster though,it would have to be just fleece with no batting inside and no sherpa lining as both things are unsafe as they will cause digestive system blockages.Plus,most hamsters will chew fabric so even fleece is often unsafe for that reason as fabric can't be digested.

Do you know if the level is ok for pairs? Someone else said that the level would be fine to use for a pair because its not a full level going across, I haven't put it in though.

AmityvilleHams · 12-12-2016, 01:53 PM

The level would not be okay,as it is a level.I don't see where people get the idea that partial levels are okay for pairs,but any sort of platform or level is not okay for pairs even the tiniest shelf.

Bethany77 · 12-12-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

The level would not be okay,as it is a level.I don't see where people get the idea that partial levels are okay for pairs,but any sort of platform or level is not okay for pairs even the tiniest shelf.

Thanks for telling me, I didn't think they were right so I didn't put it in thankfully!

Pebbles82 · 12-12-2016, 02:38 PM

Aah - the substrate thing

The thing is - the more substrate you put in, the less you use, I find. Because most of it stays dry and you can just spot clean. When you only have 3" of substrate you end up having to chuck the lot usually and end up using more. Have added a link to Erin's Hamsters 8 cage cleaning tips video - it's very good - some excellent tips on substrate and cleaning. It made my life a lot easier.

The only other thing is - the Barney is quite a tall cage - about 43cm high internally. 3" of substrate would leave quite a height to fall from and not give much cushioning when they land. I think when you've seen Erin's video you'll be able to make your substrate last longer and be able to use more of it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jVnEjrXbww