Bin Lid Idea?

FernEden · 11-21-2019, 01:56 AM

Hi everyone!

I’m brand new to owning a hamster and am already looking at upgrading my hams cage. Mashed Potato is a Roborovski and I’m looking at upgrading her to a bin cage ASAP!

I’m not very handy so after watching tutorials, I’m a bit worried I won’t be able to create a decent lid with mesh. However, I have some C&C cage grids laying around from my old guinea pig cage, I’m very aware that these will have holes that are too big but I was wondering if I could zip tie some mosquito net to them to create a less escapable lid.

I’m unsure if the netting will provide enough airflow but my thinking is is that it’s used for humans to sleep in so it must give enough airflow? I’ve put a link to the one I have laying around at the bottom of this post so you can see what I mean.

If anyone has any other fab and easy ideas for airflow on the lid then all your help is greatly appreciated! I want little Mash to live the best life

https://www.diy.com/departments/whit...2731344_BQ.prd

AmityvilleHams · 11-21-2019, 04:34 AM

Mosquito net is fairly soft in general and wouldn't be hard to chew out of so I would say that's an unsuitable idea, if not an extremely dangerous one since you could end up with an escaped or even possibly ill or injured hamster(since they could ingest the netting which can lead to an intestinal blockage among many other issues). Hamsters are very crafty and even the tiny robos can pile up enough substrate to block up a wheel so that they can access lids and such, so don't underestimate them!

Ria P · 11-21-2019, 05:22 AM

Hi and welcome!

I don't think mosquito netting would give enough ventilation and to successfully mesh a bin lid you need power tools and basic DIY skills.

Could you post a pic of the guinea pig cage grids? I'm not sure what exactly that is. If it would work as a lid you could maybe use mesh cut into size attached with cable ties.

LunaTheHamster1 · 11-21-2019, 05:40 AM

Hi, I agree with the others, i think mosquitto netting wil be quickly chewed through.
I knwo what c and c cages are, could you wrap/attach some mesh wire around each one - small enough gaps that a hamster couldn't escape through it?

FernEden · 11-21-2019, 08:06 AM

Thank you everyone for the replies! I’ve seen people just drill holes into the lid of the cage, I imagine that this wouldn’t give enough ventilation either?

elaraks · 11-21-2019, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

to successfully mesh a bin lid you need power tools and basic DIY skills.

Tbh I don't really think you need power tools at all, and barely any DIY skills. I used scissors and cable ties and it worked fine

alpacassei · 11-21-2019, 08:39 AM

Drilling holes isnt the best for air circulation tbh, it’s okay as a temporary solution though. A lot of people use baking cooling racks as they have a good bar spacing and dont require any cutting unlike mesh.

alpacassei · 11-21-2019, 08:40 AM

Something like this attached with zipties
https://www.wilko.com/en-uk/wilko-43...rack/p/0888440

FernEden · 11-21-2019, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Drilling holes isnt the best for air circulation tbh, it’s okay as a temporary solution though. A lot of people use baking cooling racks as they have a good bar spacing and dont require any cutting unlike mesh.

Oh my gosh that’s such an amazing idea! I bet I’ve even got some spare ones in the kitchen cupboard, I’m going to measure them up tonight

You win the creativity award!

Dessi · 11-21-2019, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FernEden

Oh my gosh that’s such an amazing idea! I bet I’ve even got some spare ones in the kitchen cupboard, I’m going to measure them up tonight

You win the creativity award!

I think a Robo will fit through the bars of a baking grill. I wouldn’t use it.