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Old 11-06-2018, 01:02 PM   #1
Emsmum
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Default Is the cage set up ok?

I am trying to work out why Noodles is still so nervous, could it be this set up or does it look OK? I am thinking that maybe he would be happier back upstairs where it's quieter....I just can't figure him out
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Old 11-06-2018, 01:14 PM   #2
mangoandmimi
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

The setup itself is generally fine, however that doesn't mean it'll work for every hamster. If he's so nervous I'd start by adding more cover, so perhaps another shelf. I suppose the fact there's bars all around leaves it quite open too, so maybe adding something like hemp mats round one corner could help. My robo used to be in a Barney and I'm quite sure the bars made her more nervous around the cage, it leaves them more open really. So I added a layer of cardboard on the outside of the back bars and I think the solid wall helped.

The Barney is also quite tall which is a good thing for Syrians really, but I'd also get some hanging items. Those grass hammocks are supposed to be good but not used them in a long time. Sputniks too maybe. Again, things like this just make them feel more protected and less exposed from above.
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Old 11-06-2018, 01:23 PM   #3
Emsmum
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

When he first arrived he was upstairs and the cage was against a solid back so maybe he does prefer that - I already have a sputnik which was in but he didn't seem to like it, I do have a hammock but it's a material one on chains which I believe is dangerous so I took that one out- I couldn't decide if less was better for him
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Old 11-06-2018, 01:31 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

I agree that maybe more overhead cover would help him feel less nervous. I also think maybe he wouldn't feel very secure with the long bendy bridge higher up - they seem to feel more secure with something stable and solid to walk on - again partly depends on the hamster. If you had some overhead cover also you could move the coloured knot toy underneath it so there's more room on the shelf and more floor toys.

A couple of options. I have two rat sputniks and do have an extra shelf at the other end.

Prior to this set up I had a large flat roofed house at the opposite end to the shelf the wheel was between them at the back). This doubled up as an extra shelf but also gave our hammy a big dark house to feel secure in. I'll add the photos in case it gives some ideas.

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Old 11-06-2018, 01:42 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

This is Newt's current set up with the two sputniks, and a second corner shelf - his house is underneath the shelf in this set up. The large cork log at the front in the middle is good - its a ramp up to both the door and the second sputnik and he can get to the shelf from the sputnik through the tube. It also makes a nice big dark tunnel from one end of the cage to the other.

Also not just overhead cover maybe - but they do need somewhere dark to retreat to and I've found putting a bendy bridge tunnel over the house door keeps them happy too as it makes the house dark inside.

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Old 11-06-2018, 01:54 PM   #6
Emsmum
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

Oh wow your set up is fabulous - I will look at ours, get some stuff ordered and try to make him feel a bit more secure - what do you have around the bars on the inside of the cage btw?
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Old 11-06-2018, 02:55 PM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

I have spoilt hamsters That’s hemp mat. I have a circle of it cut to line the Sputnik too Makes it a bit cosier. Not sure if it’s really necessary as our last hammy didn’t have it and you can just put some Fitch in the rat sputniks. Having a rat Sputnik hung next to the shelf works well as they can get in easily and it’s something to sit under. The tube fixed to the roof is the Savic rat tunnel but any tube works. It’s tied on with sisal string and part attached by the tabs on the tube that slot through the bars.

Zooplus sell the rat sputniks, the Savic tunnel and the hemp mat (hugro). The big cork logs I got from rodipet and they also sell the hemp mats. The coloured bendy bridges that screw to the bars are from ranch house cages on eBay. They also sell wood shelves in various sizes. Zooplus also selll grass hammocks. I coukdn’t use those as I was allergic to them.

Adding a few new things might go down well - they like hidey places. Maybe a bit too much in my cage though.

Just had to edit all the weird dictionary changes my phone decided to make!
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Old 11-06-2018, 02:59 PM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

I noticed Newt was a bit iffy about all the space above him so added the second Sputnik.
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Old 11-07-2018, 02:38 AM   #9
Emsmum
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

Thanks for the replies & photo's @Serendipity7000 - just another thing - if I make all these changes is it going to freak him out or would you just do it and then leave him to settle in again for a week before trying to tame again?
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Old 11-12-2018, 06:16 AM   #10
Emsmum
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Default Re: Is the cage set up ok?

I have changed it around and added a few new bits, will add some more later in the month I think - can't say as he seems particularly happy and we still never see him really, when I got up this morning he was awake and sat on the wicker tube but when I started speaking to him he was shivering & appeared frozen with fear then eventually he ran off into his house - I feel so sad for him, I feel like we aren't being good enough for him and he is unhappy. I think we are going to move him back upstairs and see if he is happier up there, we moved him down because we were worried we weren't socialising with him enough but he shares the room with the gerbils (they are on the other side) and we have noticed they appear to also be less social so we wonder if them both sharing a room is totally freaking them out.
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