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Old 02-17-2017, 05:35 AM   #1
SazLloyd
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Default Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

Hi. So I got my new hamster Lemon 3 weeks ago. I've owned Chinese dwarf hamsters previously - but this was my first Syrian.

I bought him the Rosewood Pico Hamster Home Extra Large. (Sorry for some reason am struggling to attach a picture - but it's easy to Google)

mistakenly thinking the extra levels would make up for lesser floor space. With research and observation I can see this isn't correct, and the wheel is too small etc. Am heading into town later tonight to get tools and build a large bin cage instead.

But I have a question about connecting my old wire cage to the new one - has anyone seen examples of someone doing this. The reason I ask is Lemon LOVES to climb. And I thought since the cage is there I could leave it empty as a sort of climbing frame area if I could attach the two.

AT the moment I think my only two options would either be cutting a hole through the bottom of the Rosewood cage and connecting with a tube. But the plastic is quite tough, I'm not 100% convinced I could penetrate it.

I think just moving him to a bin cage and him loosing his climbing ability might really upset him, but I really want to increase his floor space. Tips, advise, criticism (constructive please don't be mean) all welcome. Thank you in advanced.
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Old 02-17-2017, 07:18 AM   #2
alpacassei
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

If you get wire cutters you can cut a square from the wire section and use one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ferplast-Fp...dp/B001N03RRY/ Ferplast tubes can be expensive but you can get a set of them in Pets at Home for £8.50 http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...nimal-tube-set

The reason he's climbing so much could be that he doesn't have enough space so you might find that once he's settled in his bin cage he'll stop (some hamsters just love to climb though).
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Old 02-17-2017, 07:27 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

It's great that you plan to increase floor space for Lemon, I'm sure he'd really enjoy that, although he may love climbing I would be concerned by the potential for falls & injury with the taller cage, once he has plenty of floor space & maybe some toys that aren't too high for climbing on he probably wouldn't miss the tall cage, they generally love to dig in deep substrate much more than climb & it's a lot safer so although I can see why you might want to use the cage now you have it I think it would probably be better to just get the biggest bin you can or connect two bins for lots of space.
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Old 02-17-2017, 08:07 AM   #4
Drago
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

I agree with cypher on the levels, hamsters really aren't climbing animals and would much rather floorspace to run about in than things to climb on. Most hamsters climb to try to escape or to cause trouble rather than to enjoy their surroundings. Getting a large bin, as cypher said, would be the best for him so he could truly enjoy his enclosure. If you are absolutely set on using his old cage and levels, use wire cutters like mentioned. Also ensure that you fill the cage with sisal hammocks and seagrass baskets to make sure that if your hamster did fall, he couldn't fall more than two inches. Have fun creating a new cage for him and post pictures when you're all finished so we can see your awesome setup!
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:27 AM   #5
SazLloyd
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drago View Post
I agree with cypher on the levels, hamsters really aren't climbing animals and would much rather floorspace to run about in than things to climb on. Most hamsters climb to try to escape or to cause trouble rather than to enjoy their surroundings. Getting a large bin, as cypher said, would be the best for him so he could truly enjoy his enclosure. If you are absolutely set on using his old cage and levels, use wire cutters like mentioned. Also ensure that you fill the cage with sisal hammocks and seagrass baskets to make sure that if your hamster did fall, he couldn't fall more than two inches. Have fun creating a new cage for him and post pictures when you're all finished so we can see your awesome setup!
Good shout on the hammocks - though can I ask Seagrass baskets - is it cause they are softer than the floor for landing? Sorry it might be obvious I just can't see off the top of my head how they would help? Or can I attach them to the wires somehow? Sorry again if it's obvious.
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:30 AM   #6
SazLloyd
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

Thanks for all the advise - maybe he doesn't love climbing like I thought. I feel like a bad mom! But I will make things right. Pictures to follow.

Think I decided I'll create the bin cage, if I find a practical way of attaching the other cage great - if not no worries. Additionally if long term the wire cage still seems like bad idea or it's not used by him anymore I can seal the connecting hole up with more mesh so no real harm, done!
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:41 AM   #7
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

I wouldn't try an attach a bin cage to the cage. As the others say - one larger floor area is better. If you've only had him 3 weeks I would ask for a refund for the Rosewood cage. It can be difficult to find a bin big enough that doesn't cost too much.

There is a very good RUB bin - not too big not too small - but it costs about £40 something and you can buy an Alaska cage for £34 - which would be great for a Syrian! It looks a bit bare but has space for an 11" or 12" wheel and plenty of toys - shelves and hammocks etc to give added enrichment. It does need a house though - the little white one on the shelf is no good for Syrians - it could do with removing really as the holes are too small.

Alaska Hamster Cage | Free P&P on orders £29+ at zooplus!

The Barney cage is also great for a Syrian and is on offer at the moment. About £10 more than the Alaska and it comes with a good house, a shelf/level and a basic 8" wheel - so all you would need would be toys and water bottle/food bowl.

Barney Pet Cage | Great deals at zooplus!

The Barney cage has narrow 7mm bar spacing so is quite futureproof and could be used for dwarf hamsters at some point as well (if set up right).

Both are still a bit on the high side but as long as you have lots of substrate and he can't land on anything hard if he decided to monkey bar across the top, then they're both fine.

I have the Barney cage - our Syrian loved it. You can make a whole extra level with tubes and sputniks, which is safer than climbing to a height and falling I added an extra shelf along the back and tied a rat sized tube across the top between the shelf and a rat sized sputnik which was over the main shelf - so he could run around at a higher level as well as ground level.



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Old 02-17-2017, 09:46 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

The problem with the Rosewood one is - they can hurt themselves when falling from the top - by bouncing off the edges of platforms etc. There isn't really a way to make it safe unless you took all the platforms out and put a full level in - and even then the floor area isn't very big. So wider and lower is better and with a barred cage your hammy could still climb a bit if he wanted. I agree though, that they tend to only really climb to try and get out the top! Or because there's nothing to do at ground level. With lots of enrichment at ground level (deep substrate, hidey places, tunnels and so on) and a platform that isn't too high, so somewhere to go and sit on, then that is better really. Our hammy used to like sitting snoozing in the rat sputnik. He used every bit of the cage.

Some people on here have been successful taking a cage back for a refund and saying it's unsuitable for their hamster - even after it's been used. One member did that with a Pets at Home cage and they even let her wait to bring it back until she had a replacement.
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:52 AM   #9
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

Quote:
Originally Posted by SazLloyd View Post
Thanks for all the advise - maybe he doesn't love climbing like I thought. I feel like a bad mom! But I will make things right. Pictures to follow.

Think I decided I'll create the bin cage, if I find a practical way of attaching the other cage great - if not no worries. Additionally if long term the wire cage still seems like bad idea or it's not used by him anymore I can seal the connecting hole up with more mesh so no real harm, done!
Hey you are in no way a bad hamster parent! You are giving your little one even more space and stimulation and that's what a good ham parent does. You can attach the bins by cutting out the end panel and attach the pins with zip ties if that helps any
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Old 02-17-2017, 09:52 AM   #10
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Default Re: Connecting a wire cage to a bin cage

Quote:
Originally Posted by SazLloyd View Post
Good shout on the hammocks - though can I ask Seagrass baskets - is it cause they are softer than the floor for landing? Sorry it might be obvious I just can't see off the top of my head how they would help? Or can I attach them to the wires somehow? Sorry again if it's obvious.
Not necessarily any softer, it will just help with them not falling quite as far
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