Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-30-2020, 03:17 AM   #1
Pipinha4822
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 36
Question Help with wood cages?

So, remember the bin cage I bought, which was about 22,95 euros? Turns out I measured the box the wrong way, and the actual bottom, only has 60x40, instead of 80x60 as the info on the box said.
And now, my mom said it was okay, because she can still use the box for storage (if it’s not enough), and my dad said he would built a cage with me. A wood cage.

But I’m so sad, because I’ve made my parents spend money, just so it doesn’t fit or just because it’s small.

So now, I have lots of questions related to the wood. I know I need varnish safe for animals, but here, it’s nowhere to find. What kind of other things do I need to have in consideration when building a wood cage?
Thank you so much for all the help so far
Pipinha4822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 04:47 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Just briefly back to the bin cage. If you fill the bin half way up with substrate, what are the measurements then? A lot of bins have sloped sides, like the large Ikea Samla for example and you need to consider the substrate. The more substrate you add the more it increases the floor space.

Do you have a dwarf or a Syrian hamster? It may still be big enough for a dwarf. For a dwarf you could have two areas like one side with 6in+ for burrowing, section it off and have a play area lower down for the wheels and sandbath.
I have currently a Robo living in a bin set up like that. Here's a photo.

I've never made a wooden cage, only lots of bin cages so can't advise you on that one. The right type of wood and means of joining it together and sufficient ventilation would be things to consider. It would need two coats of brush on plastikote to make it wipeable and to protect the wood from hamster pee etc.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20200627_161709.jpg (2.56 MB, 13 views)
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 06:03 AM   #3
Pipinha4822
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 36
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Hi, I measured, and it’s still 66cm x 48cm. Its this enough for a dwarf hamster?
I also found out that, the only thing in the box with the inicial measurements it’s the lid, and the top of the cage where the lid stays in which was where I initially measured.
I’m thinking about making this a bin cage (temporarily) and with time, I will built the wood cage, and then move the hammy to it.
I don’t have the hamster yet, but I’m preparing to have one, that’s why I’m so sad about the measurements of the box not being the correct ones...
Thank you for your help!
Pipinha4822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 07:18 AM   #4
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Don't be sad because there's another option. You can connect another bin cage to the one you have at a later date. I've done that. Best to create the connection when you convert the box to a cage and then close the tube with a tube stopper. Saves upsetting the hamster later, when you're ready to connect another converted box. I'll send you some photos when i get home to show you what exactly i'm trying to explain.
A young dwarf would be fine in a cage that size for a while. I know that people say that connected cages don't count as continuous floor space but the connecting tube i use isn't any longer than a normal tunnel toy. My dwarf runs through it in two seconds and they love tunnels anyway.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 07:45 AM   #5
Pipinha4822
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 36
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Don't be sad because there's another option. You can connect another bin cage to the one you have at a later date. I've done that. Best to create the connection when you convert the box to a cage and then close the tube with a tube stopper. Saves upsetting the hamster later, when you're ready to connect another converted box. I'll send you some photos when i get home to show you what exactly i'm trying to explain.
A young dwarf would be fine in a cage that size for a while. I know that people say that connected cages don't count as continuous floor space but the connecting tube i use isn't any longer than a normal tunnel toy. My dwarf runs through it in two seconds and they love tunnels anyway.
Thank you, I will try that
Pipinha4822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 11:08 AM   #6
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

See, that's the short, connecting tube and end piece to close it off should i ever need to. You could add the hole and tube now with the end piece clipped on so its easy to connect another cage whenever you want to.This tube and end piece is by Ferplast but i'm sure that you could improvise if you can't get this particular brand.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20200630_185524.jpg (2.17 MB, 8 views)
File Type: jpg 20200630_185553.jpg (2.30 MB, 8 views)
File Type: jpg 1593540364908-959304173.jpg (2.59 MB, 8 views)
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 11:56 AM   #7
Pipinha4822
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 36
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
See, that's the short, connecting tube and end piece to close it off should i ever need to. You could add the hole and tube now with the end piece clipped on so its easy to connect another cage whenever you want to.This tube and end piece is by Ferplast but i'm sure that you could improvise if you can't get this particular brand.
Thank you that helps a lot to see what other options I have!
Pipinha4822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 12:08 PM   #8
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

I think that size will be fine for a dwarf hamster - the measurements given are usually the largest part at the top, so once you have substrate in it will be fine. Generally it's not recommended to have connected cages - one larger floor area is better than two smaller ones. But the size you have is fine and you can upgrade to a bigger one in future if necessary.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 12:53 PM   #9
Pipinha4822
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Portugal
Posts: 36
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I think that size will be fine for a dwarf hamster - the measurements given are usually the largest part at the top, so once you have substrate in it will be fine. Generally it's not recommended to have connected cages - one larger floor area is better than two smaller ones. But the size you have is fine and you can upgrade to a bigger one in future if necessary.
Thank you! I only measured the top, and that's why I thought the measurements are correct.
Right now, I will put the mesh on that one, but I'm already building a wood cage, using wood my parents had here and that wasn't needed.
The measurements of are 89,5 x 62 x 51 (cm)
Me, my dad, and my boyfriend, will spend the next couple days, making the cage.
Are those measurements enough?
Pipinha4822 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-30-2020, 01:13 PM   #10
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Help with wood cages?

They sound excellent. The bin you have sounds like the Samla bin which is about 78x50 at the top but narrower at the bottom. Many people think 75 x 45 is a good minimum for a dwarf hamster but their personalities vary and some are happy with something a little bit smaller. How you set it up will make a difference too.

To paint the wood people use plasti-kote water based enamel paint which is safe but they're only little pots so perhaps not great for a large area like a cage - although if it's just for the inside then maybe 4 pots would do it. I'll link them.

Rodipet sell a bigger tin of something similar - water based - called Auro I think.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.rodipet.co.uk/houses/aur...sh-0375-l.html

They sell a brush to go with it too! I just use a normal household paint brush.

https://www.rodipet.co.uk/houses/aur...rush-40mm.html

The rodipet tin is bigger.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cage, wood, box, it’s, made, related, questions, i’ve, varnish, lots, fit, money, small, parents, spend, doesn’t, animals, building, consideration, sad, find, things, kind, safe, 60x40

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:31 PM.