DIY cages. Advice, tips and pics of yours please.

[AmityvilleHams]

I'd suggest getting several bins instead of a wire cage You can connect those directly instead of using tubes and wire cages,which would not be appropriate and would not really add floor space.

It is very cheap especially in the US to make a bin setup!You'd need 2 105 qt(just under 80 cm x 50 cm)bins,and one 60 cm x 40 cm/64 qt bin.The smaller one can only be purchased at Walmart(costs $7)and the other two bins can be purchased at Walmart as well(around $12 each).You'd just need to get a wood burning knife($13,Walmart again),zip ties($3 or less),wire cutters(generally under $5 a pair),and 1/2 inch wire mesh($16 at Home Depot for a huge roll that would go towards the whole bin setup and more).You'd want to elevate the smaller bin in between for the easiest direct connection between the bins,maybe using something like a few pieces of wood underneath the bins.It isn't any more difficult than making a regular bin,with the only extra steps being elevating the smaller bin in between and making holes on the sides of each bin.

[Pebbles82]

I think we've gone off topic a bit from Alipali's cage set up Although I can see bottle holders is a topic. I have to agree I think the metal bottle holder could hurt a hammy's feet with it's metal edges and hamsters do try and climb bottle holders to try and escape out the top! I personally think the velcro is fine but you can also make bottle stands for in the cage - there are various tutorials for that.

Aby I agree with Cypher - better to choose a cage without tubes - the tube systems aren't cheap and hamsters are better with tubes as toys inside the cage rather than attached to holes in the cage in long runs - they can block tubes off, the tubes can be an escape route, some hamsters get stuck in them. The ventilation isn't that good either. You'd be better with cardboard tubes or a short run of a couple of plastic tubes, actually inside a cage with solid or barred sides. A persistant hamster could push the tubes out or apart or chew their way out. It can be fun to tie them to the bars too.

If you're in the US, chances are the cage is too small anyway as there are only 2 or 3 suitable for a hamster. You would be better of making a bin cage of approx 30 inches by 20 inches continuous floorspace minimum Or getting a tank. Petco sell a 40 gallon breeder tank for $40 during their dollar per gallon sale.

[AmityvilleHams]

Would have to say no on the 40 gallon tank That's not including a lid(so it costs more than the bin setup with lid and stand),plus the size is often proven to not work well for Syrians.

With bins it costs less and you can always expand when a hamster shows that the size isn't right,unlike a very bulky and expensive tank which can't be expanded at all!

[colorpaws287]

oh ok then, thanks for telling me I’ll keep a lookout to make sure my hamster doesn’t start climbing on it or anything, I appreciate the advice

[alipali1]

Originally Posted by colorpaws287

Hey, I have a suggestion if you were wondering how to not get the velcro to show when hanging your water bottle. There is this thing called a water bottle guard, here’s a link to one:Grreat Choice® Chewguard Bottle Holder | small pet Food & Water Accessories | PetSmart So basically you can attach the velcro to the back of this instead of the water bottle, and I find it looks nicer.

Oh these are cool, thank you!!!

[alipali1]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

This exact type of bottle holder nearly caused my hamster to get bumblefoot.Do not use these types,they're not safe and if climbed on will cause serious injury over time

Oh okay

[alipali1]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I quite like the velcro look Looks fine to me. The tank looks way better now you have more substrate in. As Cypher says, torn up plain white toilet paper is the best nesting material - no need to buy any nesting material. Hammies like it - they pouch the strips of toilet paper and sort of weave them into their nest so it holds together.

The Knuff shelves are amazing - I think they might take up a bit too much space in your tank halves though - although it's hard to tell. All you'd need to make one is a piece of wood and four dowels for legs. A hardware shop would cut a piece to the size you want (make sure it's untreated). Dowels you can get in any length you want on ebay. I found it easier to glue the dowels to the side of the wood rather than the bottom as there's greater surface area to stick to.

Or you could get two of these (one for each half of the tank). They're not expensive and they're a good height so you can have lots of substrate underneath them.

No glueing needed - the legs screw in.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-Natu...living+shelter

Bendy bridges are always good as well for running over or under, as ladders up to shelves or bridges up to shelves.

Ranchhouse cages make this nice coloured one - I had mine screwed to bars but you can take the screws out and use it as a normal bendy bridge.

BRIDGE HOUSE SHELF RAMP CHIPMUNK,HAMSTER,RAT,DEGU CAGE

Coconut hides are nice too. A coconut with a hole in it.

Edit - I can see you already have coconuts and bendy bridges! Actually I think you have plenty of toys - loads of substrate and a shelf are the things that will make the difference - plus you can put things on the shelf and it's somewhere to hide under.

I've made a lot of changes again, took a while but am super happy with it. We've added more subrate to the right side since these photos as were suggested to me and they really love the torn up toilet roll! So glad for that

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