Barney Cage Set Ups - Page 2

Pebbles82 · 01-16-2020, 05:35 AM

Hi Ben - that looks great. Would suggest removing the runged ladder that is hanging - they're not very safe/secure for hammies - they prefer a firm footing. The smaller runged ladder you could just fill in the gaps by stick a bit of wood behind it. Or using a bendy bridge ramp instead.

How is your hammy finding the cage? Some are more overwhelmed by open space above them than others. If you find that, then adding the Barney shelf would help. Something to sit under/dive under and also climb onto and for putting heavier items on.

If your hammy jumps out of the hanging coconut, can they land on anything hard or just soft substrate? They can get injuries from falls. I can't see fully from the photos, but if that is a risk, maybe move the hanging coconut or move something at floor level so there is only a soft landing. They can also struggle to reach higher items unless they're hung next to or over a shelf.

A lot of people thinks hamsters are climbers, but they are ground dwellers really - they only climb to get to something - eg food or to see if they can escape! They can climb ok but aren't good at getting down again so tend to just drop and can get injured - so easy access to items is something to think about and stable ladders etc.

Benefitsben · 01-16-2020, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Hi Ben - that looks great. Would suggest removing the runged ladder that is hanging - they're not very safe/secure for hammies - they prefer a firm footing. The smaller runged ladder you could just fill in the gaps by stick a bit of wood behind it. Or using a bendy bridge ramp instead.

How is your hammy finding the cage? Some are more overwhelmed by open space above them than others. If you find that, then adding the Barney shelf would help. Something to sit under/dive under and also climb onto and for putting heavier items on.

If your hammy jumps out of the hanging coconut, can they land on anything hard or just soft substrate? They can get injuries from falls. I can't see fully from the photos, but if that is a risk, maybe move the hanging coconut or move something at floor level so there is only a soft landing. They can also struggle to reach higher items unless they're hung next to or over a shelf.

A lot of people thinks hamsters are climbers, but they are ground dwellers really - they only climb to get to something - eg food or to see if they can escape! They can climb ok but aren't good at getting down again so tend to just drop and can get injured - so easy access to items is something to think about and stable ladders etc.

OK, I'll replace the ladders with bendy bridges. I haven't actually got the hamster yet lmao, and I can't fit the shelf in due to the wheel. The coconut is right next to a bendy bridge, and on the other side of the bridge is only substrate. Tysm for all the pointers! :)

Pebbles82 · 01-16-2020, 03:07 PM

It’s great that you’re getting it set up ready before you get your hammy

. Hope you don’t mind me making a suggestion - I think it would be good to have the shelf in on the left side where the wheel is and move the wheel a bit further round to the back next to the shelf. The coconut would then be hanging over/next to the shelf. You could still use the long bendy bridge - either over the shelf or somewhere else. They really like having a shelf to sit on and under- makes them feel secure I think. I also have a stone tile in the shelf which you could have under a mouse sized water bottle so it catches any drips or have a good bowl on it. It helps keep their nails trim so every time they go to eat or drink they walk in the rough tile.

Also check any toys with entrance holes are big enough for a Syrian or they can get stuck. I noticed the log tunnel with holes in - sometimes the holes are only big enough for dwarf hamsters on these logs- hard to tell on the photo. For a Syrian, the diameter of any hole/entrance needs to be at least 6cm to be safe xxx

Benefitsben · 01-16-2020, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It’s great that you’re getting it set up ready before you get your hammy :-). Hope you don’t mind me making a suggestion - I think it would be good to have the shelf in on the left side where the wheel is and move the wheel a bit further round to the back next to the shelf. The coconut would then be hanging over/next to the shelf. You could still use the long bendy bridge - either over the shelf or somewhere else. They really like having a shelf to sit on and under- makes them feel secure I think. I also have a stone tile in the shelf which you could have under a mouse sized water bottle so it catches any drips or have a good bowl on it. It helps keep their nails trim so every time they go to eat or drink they walk in the rough tile.

Also check any toys with entrance holes are big enough for a Syrian or they can get stuck. I noticed the log tunnel with holes in - sometimes the holes are only big enough for dwarf hamsters on these logs- hard to tell on the photo. For a Syrian, the diameter of any hole/entrance needs to be at least 6cm to be safe xxx

Of course I don't mind suggestions, I want the best life for my ham so I want all the advice I can get lmao. I'll have a reshuffle of the cage and try and get in the shelf (haven't cleaned/sanitised it yet from my previous hamster as it didn't fit in the sink lol), and then I can put another toy or 2 there. I don't have a stone tile, but I do have a fairly flat and rough rock I could use. The diameter of the holes is a bit smaller than that, and I didn't think it would really work too well with a Syrian, so I'll change it out for a kitchen roll tube with holes in. Thanks for all your advice, I really appreciate all the help :)

Pebbles82 · 01-17-2020, 02:31 AM

I problem. Even a kitchen roll tube I would slit down the sides so it expands

. To disinfect the shelf I’d just give it a good scrub under running water with a brush or cloth and let it dry. When it’s full dry, paint it with plastikote - that will seal it to make sure it is hygienic and also makes it wipe clean for the future (and there are some nice colours). It’s the small pot of water based enamel plasti kote. Amazon sell the for about £4.

Pringles tubes are often used in here for tunnels

- tgey’re a good size (cleaned out obviously!).

Pebbles82 · 01-17-2020, 02:35 AM

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastikote-...kote+en&sr=8-2

Just a normal house painting brush is good - I use a half inch or one inch one - they’re cheap to buy. It sounds like a faff but it literally only takes about 10 minutes to put a coat on both sides of a shelf. I then leave it overnight and do a second coat next day. Just paint it in really thinly. My shelf is on its third hamster and is garden green

. Once it’s done it’s very easy to re-use in future as it’s just wipe clean and you can use pet disinfectant on it.

Benefitsben · 01-17-2020, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastikote-...kote+en&sr=8-2

Just a normal house painting brush is good - I use a half inch or one inch one - they’re cheap to buy. It sounds like a faff but it literally only takes about 10 minutes to put a coat on both sides of a shelf. I then leave it overnight and do a second coat next day. Just paint it in really thinly. My shelf is on its third hamster and is garden green :-). Once it’s done it’s very easy to re-use in future as it’s just wipe clean and you can use pet disinfectant on it.

Oh OK thank you! I'm currently disinfecting it by leaving it to soak in hot soapy water then scrubbing away any dirt left. I have some large paintbrushes already, so I'll order the plastikote and when the shelf is properly dry I'll do a couple coats. Thanks for all the help it means a lot :)

Kyrkogrimr · 01-19-2020, 05:02 AM

Thanks for all the pictures and the conversation - things have been a bit wild at work so I haven't been around as much as I would like, but it's been really helpful to see other people's ideas

The labyrinth house paired with a corner toilet... dish... thing from rodipet have been a huge game changer with Hydrogen - he actually does seem to confine himself to his toilet, where Cadmium... not so much. Having said that, I'm pretty sure I read somewhere on here that syrians tend to take better to having a designated (easily removable) toilet area than dwarf species that seem to just... go wherever.

Benefitsben · 01-24-2020, 03:24 PM

Updated my cage setup! Took the advice of some people here (mainly serendipity lol) and improved it. Stats are the same, but I added some more stuff as well as diy toys. Getting him tomorrow and I can't wait lmao

Shadow Cat · 01-24-2020, 06:19 PM

I have a Barney cage for the first time. I set it up without the shelf that's included but I'm starting to think that was a bad idea. I'll have to wait to change it though. I've had my new little one for literally about 30 hours and I don't want to disturb her by taking the cage apart to install it.

What do you guys think about not having a shelf in such a big cage? She has plenty of paper bedding to burrow in and I have 3 hides and a tunnel in there so she has places to hide.