First time owner diy bin cage advice needed

[Tommyshelby]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Looks good I’m just catching up with this and was going to say the hay isn’t necessary. Some people do use a bit but if you do use it from now on it’s a really good idea to freeze it for a week first - just in case there are mites in it or something. The only other thing is, if you haven’t had him long, they can get stressed if you change things around. It can take them two weeks to fully settle, without changes. So suggest maybe leaving as is for now and think about sand bath changes later - in a few weeks maybe.

Fitch is great - I’ve used it for years. Love the brick idea!

Don’t worry about the wheel - I didn’t plastikote my first one. It will get stained or smelly at some point (they all pee in the wheel at some point) but you can just wipe it. I used to scrub mine under a running tap if it got stinky but it can stay a bit stinky for quite some time! It might not last as long that way though but they’re not too expensive if it needs replacing.

I don’t like painting things either but I do use plastikote now. It’s not as much hassle as it sounds. You just get a normal household paint brush - small - about a quarter inch one. It’s thin liquid and non smelly and dries really quickly. It literally takes 10 mins. I just paint the inside of the wheel - the outside doesn’t get stained or dirty usually.

So if the wheel does end up wrecked you could plastikote the next one maybe. It’s the water based enamel one.

Thank you!

I didn't freeze the hay,

I think i'm just being paranoid but she is a bit pear shaped. It's coming to 21/22 days since i've had her. she is using the hideout under the spice rack instead of her multi-chamber, I think because it has a lot of hay and makes a nice nest?
and she is hoarding alllll her food! she even tried to take her rice pop inside the spice rack hideout.

well, i'll provide updates soon

edit:
you're right, she has been hiding more since I changed the layout of the cage and has seemed less playful compared to before. I'll let her settle in now.
fingers crossed she isn't pregnant