DIY homemade cage attempt - Page 4

Artur26 · 07-08-2019, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

Victoria quotes the research in this video which may be helpful for you

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHbMa5KVkS8&t=2s

Also just because something is the minimum recommended it doesn't mean that is what you should settle for if you can provide more. Think of it as you living in the tinniest place possible for a human to survive, it doesn't mean you would like it or want to.

Thanks, very interesting, I read both case studies, however they are 20 and 12 yr old and they mention nothing about "unbroken/continuous" space.

LunaTheHamster1 · 07-08-2019, 08:29 AM

you know what, at the end of the day you are going to do what you are going to do, you said you didn't have space for a bigger cage, but it looks like where you have put that cage on the stool (which could be knocked over) would hold a bigger cage than anything you are trying to set up right now. Also, of course your cat can get in that space, so I think either you are a wind up merchant (troll) or you just not going to listen to what any of us are saying. Many of us have told you what you need to do, if you aren't going to do it I don't know why you are still posting photos of elaborate set ups that you know we are not going to approve of.

mangoandmimi · 07-08-2019, 09:09 AM

I don’t think I’m going to give any further advice on this topic apart from that the ferplast is most certainly not meeting the minimum or even comes close to it, much less provide a “perfect” solution. If you’re going by the US minimum of 450 square inches which is already on the small side then it doesn’t meet that. If coming somewhat close to the minimum satisfies you then so be it but like Luna said people are unlikely to approve. The minimums or recommended sizes I personally give have little to do with studies, just what has worked in my experience and what hasn’t. I have never been able to set up a dwarf cage with a high enough level of enrichment in anything less than 80x50cm so of course I’m not going to recommend anything below that.

flowerfairy · 07-08-2019, 09:32 AM

What an amazing looking creative cage!

I do agree with what others have said ie a continuous space is best (my robo has an 80 x 50 cage and my syrian a 115 x 50 cage).

I think your creative cage would make a great play space provided that your cats cant get to it (which you have said they cant).

Hope you find a good 80 x 50 cage. I have the hamster heaven which I love due to the big front door. Not sure what cages you can get hold of. Does zooplus ship to you? They have some beauties.

Artur26 · 07-08-2019, 09:37 AM

Of couse there is always space for an uggly chunky plastic and black wired 50x100... Im trying to do the best with the pretty supplies I have.

You look at some of the setups here, you see 50x100cm cages that are filled with obstacles, walls, bridges etc, there are barely any uncluttered 10cm2 free for a Syrian that weights 3x a dwarf.

I don't understand how that can be better than my current setup.

Thanks for the feedback, it helped me realize more is always better and now it's perfect.

Ria P · 07-08-2019, 09:53 AM

Have you ever considered incorporating an adequately sized tank into a coffee table design?

Lots of things would need to be considered of course like ventilation, safety from other pets etc.

Your bookcase compartments may be suitable for a fishtank if you take a section out or a tarantula.

Artur26 · 07-08-2019, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerfairy

What an amazing looking creative cage!

I do agree with what others have said ie a continuous space is best (my robo has an 80 x 50 cage and my syrian a 115 x 50 cage).

I think your creative cage would make a great play space provided that your cats cant get to it (which you have said they cant).

Hope you find a good 80 x 50 cage. I have the hamster heaven which I love due to the big front door. Not sure what cages you can get hold of. Does zooplus ship to you? They have some beauties.

Hi, thanks for thr feedback.

What zooplus cage do you absolutely think it is the best?

Yes, they ship to my island in the middle of the Atlantic if I beg in customer service lol.

LunaTheHamster1 · 07-08-2019, 10:49 AM

The continuous floor space area is so that the hamster has a bigger area to run around in, it doesn't matter if it is full of toys for it to run in and out of and on top of. It doesn't mean that the area has to be empty and devoid of anything. I hope that clarifies this topic for you.

Pebbles82 · 07-08-2019, 06:37 PM

That is kind of interesting! The Ferplast cage connected to the unit - I am not sure it is particularly safe, as one section looks open! But it's an interesting set up for exploring and having places to go.

I am 100% with the continuous floorspace. The advice is usually - it's fine to have connected cages as long as one of those cages is at least 80cm by 50cm. That way they have the "habitat" area and can live in the one space - but still explore outwards.

Continuous floorspace is just common sense basically - if you're roaming in the desert and running 10 miles in a night (as hamsters do in the wild) then it really hampers you if you have walls in the way!

Pebbles82 · 07-08-2019, 06:43 PM

Have to disagree over the ugly cages though! They may not be as stylish or creative, but they are excellent for interacting with hamsters, ventilation and creating enrichment using the bars to attach things.

I think you should get a detolf, if you don't like cages. Put it on top of the unit and you'd have an amazing set up with plenty of floorspace and enrichment for the hamster. You can still create all the levels and areas in the detolf. Some ideas here

https://www.google.co.uk/search?biw=...24.ht12rQsrtvQ

This one in particular

https://www.flickr.com/photos/125312803@N06/14203399270