Too soon for an upgrade?

Jennie F · 03-28-2017, 03:11 PM

Hi Everyone,

So I've had Khali for 8 weeks now and she currently has two cages linked by tubes (see pic). I have been thinking about upgrading her to the Barney cage, keeping one of the old cages as a travel cage snd giving the other to my neighbours who look after Khali when I'm away ( I think the kids now want another hamster). Ive seen Khali chewing the bars a bit more recently, so was wondering if its time for an upgrade? I wont be able to afford both the fitch bedding and the cage in the same month. So I was thinking of getting the bedding this month and putting some in one of her cages for her to try out. Then by the time i get the cage the following month, I can put some of the fitch with her scent on into the new Barney cage. What do you think? I am also worried I wont have enough stuff to fill the Barney cage with. But then part of says she has two cages and a playoen, of course she will have enough toys

Please excuse the monster in the food bowl haha

Drago · 03-28-2017, 03:20 PM

I would say it's never too soon to upgrade! As long as Khaleesi is a confident little ham who enjoys space, then I see nothing but benefits coming out of upgrading her. Your plan sounds great if you can do that, though you may instead want to invest in a large bin type cage as Khali does seem like a bad chewer and it may out your mind at ease to know she can't participate in those types of behaviors. As for stimulation, this is an important factor as a 600 sq in cage filled with toys and items to hide and play in is much more stimulating and secure than a 1,000 sq in cage with just the bare necessities. However, it can be a very simple fix, you can simply add in cardboard boxes with holes cut in them or create little mazes out of them

Good luck!

AmphyAmphy · 03-29-2017, 07:35 AM

I think your plan sounds good! The Barney is a great cage and I'm sure Khali will love it. I think you have plenty of toys, especially if you count the stuff in her playpen and of course, you could also cheaply DIY some stuff if she would like something new to play with.

One thing, Syrians love a 11+ inch wheel best, because they have to arch their back in a small wheel and that is of course uncomfortable. I think the ones she has now are a bit smaller?

Anyway, I think Khai will enjoy exploring her new cage!

Jennie F · 03-29-2017, 09:41 AM

Amphy - The one in her playpen is the trixie 28cm one, but it wont fit in her current cages. So i got the slightly smaller 20cm one for one of her cages which fits. Im aware she will outgrow it soon and i always keep an eye on her when she is in there to see how she is running in it so sje isnt arching her back. Thats another reason i wanted the bigger cage. ( I think it may go on the bars without the stand, but I cant fit the back through the cage wires)

Drago - personally I would be more paranoid with her in a bin cage that she might chew through it. I'll give the Barney a go and I could alway get some perspex strio to put round the bars she can reach if she does chew the bars again in the new cage. But hopefully she will have loads of space to play in. I reckon she is confident enough to enjoy the new space

AmityvilleHams · 03-29-2017, 10:07 AM

A sturdy bin will not be chewed out of

Even with a bin setup(multiple bins directly connected for much better floor space than any cage on the market can provide,if using enough bins to make it a square meter or larger for example)it is still highly unlikely.Chewing out of a wire cage is still possible with the plastic base(still not likely either)so that point doesn't exactly apply to just bins!

AmphyAmphy · 03-29-2017, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennie F

Amphy - The one in her playpen is the trixie 28cm one, but it wont fit in her current cages. So i got the slightly smaller 20cm one for one of her cages which fits. Im aware she will outgrow it soon and i always keep an eye on her when she is in there to see how she is running in it so sje isnt arching her back. Thats another reason i wanted the bigger cage. ( I think it may go on the bars without the stand, but I cant fit the back through the cage wires)

Totally missed the one in her play pen. My bad, sorry! I have seen some people hang the trixie wheel upside down, attaching it to the top of a cage with tie wraps. Perhaps that would fit?

Jennie F · 03-29-2017, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmphyAmphy

Totally missed the one in her play pen. My bad, sorry! I have seen some people hang the trixie wheel upside down, attaching it to the top of a cage with tie wraps. Perhaps that would fit?

Do you mean cable tie the base to the roof of the cage? ( I'll admit I have just been staring at your post for 5 minutes confused haha). I'll have a look lster when lady muck wakes up and comes out to play

Pebbles82 · 03-29-2017, 11:53 AM

I agree an upgrade would be good and I would go with the Barney cage - it comes with a good Syrian sized house and a platform, you already have a 28cm wheel, all you need then is masses of substrate and a few toys, which you already have.

If you had to choose between getting the cage first or the Fitch first, I would say get the Fitch first. You can fit a lot more substrate in her current cages and I'm sure she'll like it and burrow in it and take some for her nest.

I think it's quite hard finding a bin big enough in the UK for a Syrian. Really Useful Boxes have a good sized bin but it's still smaller than the Barney cage, and it costs the same. If she has only just started chewing the bars a little bit it's probably boredom or because the cages are small. The Barney has narrow bar spacing and lots of space so lots to distract her.

Jennie F · 03-29-2017, 12:00 PM

Serendipity - thats what I was thinking, that it might just be boredom. I'll be getting the fitch next week so I will sdd some to her cage. I hve noticed she has pushed up some of the carefresh in one of her cage and there looks to be little buttoes in there. So i think she will really enjoy burrowing in the fitch

Pebbles82 · 03-29-2017, 01:22 PM

Although - with that lovely Kallax unit you have your cages on, you could get a detolf

Costs £40 from Ikea and you'd need to make two lids (easier than one big lid) out of strips of wood and mesh.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Ha...w=1366&bih=608

DETOLF Glass-door cabinet Black-brown 43x163 cm - IKEA