New hamster - which cage?

bethan · 12-15-2009, 10:39 AM

Getting daughter first hamster. Got option of second hand Hamster Heaven or new Ferplast Mary. I like the look of the HH but am concerned about the tubes - do syrians really enjoy these? Apologies - total novice, any advice welcome. Thanks

souffle · 12-16-2009, 08:03 AM

I'd go with the heaven as the tubes are very easily blocked off with the end stoppers which are only a few quid.
At first hams tend to sleep in the tubes so we don't use them until a hamster is well settled, tamed and established a sleeping place. Then give them access and they normally just use them as a fun run. Babies pee, sleep and block tubes so don't use them for a baby.
I think this one fits the heaven tubes
Savic Metro Accessories Ring + Cover by: Savic - Amazing Animal
The heaven is a fab cage. It is very large and you do need space for it. The Mary is also a nice cage but smaller so choose what you fancy.
Looking forward to meeting your hammy

I would suggest you buy from a breeder for a childs pet rather than P@H as you will get a tame and healthy pet. If you can say where you are in the country I may be able to help you locate one.

bethan · 12-16-2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks for that. We were fortunate to pick up a Heaven second hand, now struggling to put it together! How does the upper level attach to the wires? There are yellow disc/screws but are they meant to attach to anything?!
We will look to get those plugs for the tube holes.
Regarding the hamster...we read a lot first and contacted some clubs who put us on to various people in the cardiff area and we've been fortunate to reserve one from a breeder - which sounds like it is going to be ideal. It is ready Sunday so we need to get the cage read. Thanks for your advice

bethan · 12-16-2009, 10:09 AM

Also do you not bother blocking off the little green house? Not sure how that could be done.
Thanks go to this forum which I spent a long time on before making decisions. I have been advised as a first hamster to go for a boy if I have a choice - bit more placid...
Thanks for all the help

Flissy · 12-17-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethan

Thanks for that. We were fortunate to pick up a Heaven second hand, now struggling to put it together! How does the upper level attach to the wires? There are yellow disc/screws but are they meant to attach to anything?!
We will look to get those plugs for the tube holes.
Regarding the hamster...we read a lot first and contacted some clubs who put us on to various people in the cardiff area and we've been fortunate to reserve one from a breeder - which sounds like it is going to be ideal. It is ready Sunday so we need to get the cage read. Thanks for your advice

Hope you've managed to attach the shelf - I think there are little flat pieces which slot into the shelf and then you use the little round screw pieces to put it in

Those little blocking plug things are only 80p if you go to pets at home and order some in. I have also found that the ones for rotastak cages fit perfectly if they are cheaper (the might have them in stock in pets at home if you have one near you).

Good luck with your new hamster

bethan · 12-17-2009, 12:24 PM

Savic are sending me the bolts, but have attached the shelf with plastic ties (cut with no ends hanging!) as a temporary measure. Local pet shop is getting a couple of savic ring covers to block of tube holes, which should do the trick. Thanks a lot for your tips.

TheArctopus · 12-18-2009, 08:31 AM

The tunnels in a hamser heaven cage can easily be blocked by buying an extra 90 degree section (available at P@H for a couple of pound), attaching it to the entry point and then turning it up so the opening is against the top of the cage. Means you can turn it down when you want them to have access and turn it up when you dont want them to have access.

You dont need to block the green lookout because if the hamster cant get in the tubes it cant get in the hideout. But if you want to remove the tubes, simply open the metal door from the hideout, pull the hideout off the cage (it is removable) then close the metal door and it wil snap shut like a normal cage door.

The shelf is attached by getting the yellow disc screws, inserting them from outside the cage into the cage then into the threaded blocks on the shelf and turning them tight (dont turn too hard they strip easily). Do the same for all 4 disc screws.

If you are planning on using a Savic Roly wheel (as supplied with the hamster heaven cage when bought new), I personally wouldnt recommend it but if you must, put it on a stand and not mounted on the cage. They are unsafe and the axles sheer hence the wheel will drop, at least if its on the stand it will bounce less hence reducing chance of sheering, and the very least reduce how far the wheel can fall. I had no end of trouble with them, in the end I went with Wodent wheels, they are in a class of their own.

I have a hamster heaven cage but unfortunatelly my 2 hamsters have passed (I now use the cage with Guinea pigs as it is bigger than some of the Savic guinea pig cages - the only difference being a couple cm's in size and the cage having finer bar spacing), so im pretty familiar with the cage, its a really nice cage and comes with some good accessories, but the wheel is atrocious.

bethan · 12-19-2009, 11:01 AM

Excellent information - thanks very much. Daughter now knows she is getting a hamster (just not when!) as we thought it would be nice for her to 'prepare' the cage. Today she bought a little wooden house, the sawdust, bedding and a corner toilet! She's thinking of replacing the platform for a smaller one - and then maybe getting two plus more stuff for the hamster to play with/in. Wheel - it was on a stand but the axel is broken, so will try and repair that temporarily and look for a wodent. My only criticism so far, is how fiddly the plastic yellow squares (tubes attach to) can be - have broken a bit off one already, but Savic seem to be good about replacements - just wonder when she does put the tubes in how hard it will be to take them off to clean. Hoping to pick up hamster tomorrow - she doesn't know! I think I'm as excited as she is!

souffle · 12-19-2009, 01:21 PM

Aww lovely. Can't wait to meet him/her. Which breeder are you getting it from?

bethan · 12-20-2009, 02:24 AM

I was given J Rees number in Cardiff, who no longer breeds (although happy to advise this novice!), but she gave some of her hamsters and lots of advice to the girl I'm getting one from.