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 02-24-2021, 05:10 AM   #1
yasmin_the_hamster
Newborn Pup
 
yasmin_the_hamster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Prague
Posts: 49
Question DIY cage - safety and tips

Hello everyone,
I would like to ask for an advice about the DIY cage I made.
I really appreciate all the safety tips, or tips for improvement.
This is my first DIY cage, so I am mainly wondering, if I truly made a safe environment for my syrian hamster. I am adding the pictures in attachment. My hamster is not moved yet – so there is no house and old bedding in the right corner.
The cage is 200 x 55 x 100 cm.
First, I have started with melamine boards and plexiglass. These are on 8 wheels, so the cage can easily hold my weight as well. The boards and glass is siliconed with acquarium silicone, non-toxic for fish and plants. The glass sits on lower melamine board and it is also secured by white alluminium holders from sides.
My hamster is a chewer. That is why I secured the corners of the cage with alluminium edges. They are also glued by silicone. Silicone is from the sides of the edges as well, so pee or dust will not go under the alluminium edges. I smoothened the silicone as well as I could, so there are no big lumps. She sometimes likes to strip the silicone away, but I could not find any better solution for covering the alluminium edges.
I have cut and sanded the alluminium edges in the corners, so they fit together. They are not sharp because of the sanding I did, but since I did it on my own, there is a half millimeter gap between the pieces.
So, to add an extra protection of hamster teeth : D, I have siliconed there beech wooden pieces. My hamster is a chewer, but she gets easily discouraged by big pieces of wood, so I do not expect her to chew them completely – and if so, I can always easily replace them.
I have build two platforms to hold heavy objects.
I have also build lids, so in case she feels like jumping really high, she can not get out.
Because the cage is too high, I had to build side doors for me to have an access. I am making sure that the edge of the doors is unacessible for chewing, that is why her house will be about 20-30 centimeters lower than the edge of the doors.
I was also trying to put there many hideout, so she feels protected.
Please, let me know, what do you think about the cage being secure and safe.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1.jpg (2.77 MB, 20 views)
File Type: jpg 2.jpg (1.22 MB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg 4.jpg (2.50 MB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg 3 (2).jpg (82.3 KB, 13 views)

Last edited by yasmin_the_hamster; 02-24-2021 at 05:47 AM.
yasmin_the_hamster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 06:42 AM   #2
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

Hi there!

Waouh, what a project I don't see anyting unsafe about it, and with all the wooden hideouts etc. it looks like you've given your hamster plenty to chew

2 small things that I may be missing:

- have you or do you intend to put a bigger sandbath (I believe it is a sandbath I see in the glass pot behind the log...) ? Many hamsters love ther big sandbath.
- are the platforms/shelves you've put up standing on the bedding or elevated? I've read sometimes that it is advisable to elevate them to make sure they don't collapse in case your hamster starts burrowing underneath.

I also have a tank with a good depth of bedding and I have half buried one of these expandable plastic tubes for the hamster to use... Just an idea really, as they're cheap.
I've also read somewhere (i'm not the big expert myself but slowly learning haha) that adding hay to the bedding can be useful to consolidate burrows. I've done it because I like the smell and colour.

Let us know how the move goes! I personnally hugely enjoy having a tank because I see my hamster better than through bars (he is not tame yet, but we'll get there... hopefully)
Dodo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 06:43 AM   #3
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

And also (sorry), I'd put a small sandbath in the corner to encourage them to pee there. Makes cleaning so much easier
Dodo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 07:00 AM   #4
yasmin_the_hamster
Newborn Pup
 
yasmin_the_hamster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Prague
Posts: 49
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodo View Post
Hi there!

Waouh, what a project I don't see anyting unsafe about it, and with all the wooden hideouts etc. it looks like you've given your hamster plenty to chew

2 small things that I may be missing:

- have you or do you intend to put a bigger sandbath (I believe it is a sandbath I see in the glass pot behind the log...) ? Many hamsters love ther big sandbath.
- are the platforms/shelves you've put up standing on the bedding or elevated? I've read sometimes that it is advisable to elevate them to make sure they don't collapse in case your hamster starts burrowing underneath.

I also have a tank with a good depth of bedding and I have half buried one of these expandable plastic tubes for the hamster to use... Just an idea really, as they're cheap.
I've also read somewhere (i'm not the big expert myself but slowly learning haha) that adding hay to the bedding can be useful to consolidate burrows. I've done it because I like the smell and colour.

Let us know how the move goes! I personnally hugely enjoy having a tank because I see my hamster better than through bars (he is not tame yet, but we'll get there... hopefully)

Thank you very much for the tips! Yes, the platforms are on the wooden "legs", which are set on the bottom. Exactly as you say, so they do not collapse. You are also right about the sand pee corner and bigger sand bath. I will look for some bigger ones, maybe Ikea has something I can use. I was looking for them on Rodipet and Getzoo, and it seems an awful lot of money just for some sand baths. Do you maybe have some tips on what kind of sand bath or sand corner do you recommend?
yasmin_the_hamster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 08:10 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
Cosmic Hamsters
 
LunaTheHamster1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,593
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

Looks amazing. Awesome. I hope your hamster loves it.
Good idea with the wood bits over the metal bits, if that doesn't work, people often use tiles to stop hamsters destroying certain parts of their cage. As it is so big though, she may stop chewing, will be interesting to see what she does.

Regards to sand baths, you could always use a cardboard box with a layer of brown paper going across it one wya, then another layer of paper going across it the other way. Then the sand doesn't seep out of the corners. I have done that before.

Or just any sort of baking dish, or some people use cat litter trays, those sort of things.
__________________
Cosmic Hamsters YouTube Channel
LunaTheHamster1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 09:03 AM   #6
Dodo
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: UK
Posts: 121
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

I have 2 sandbaths: 1 is a Rosewood Naturals sandbath that costs less than £7 but will not last long if your hamster is a chewer (mine isn't). The other, larger one is a baking dish that cost £10. I bought some child playsand (super cheap). I think it is reocmmanded to bake it, but I haven't...
Dodo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2021, 11:17 AM   #7
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: DIY cage - safety and tips

Baking play sand is very important no matter what packaging says(sterilized etc), along with rinsing and sifting. Bugs can and will get into even "sealed" packaging - something I've had to learn the hard way!

That being said, the processes are entirely worth it(and yes necessary for hamster safety) when you consider how cheap play sand can be along with the ability to just process bulk amounts all at once if possible to avoid having to frequently bake, sift, and rinse.
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
alluminium, cage, edges, hamster, silicone

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 08:09 AM.