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 03-22-2021, 01:35 PM   #1
Vintage
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Default Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

Hi there, after having browsed as a guest for a while this is my first post on the forum.

I would like to get a male Syrian hamster and I have just bought the largest storage container I could find currently in stock to make a bin cage. It's dimensions are L99cm x W39.5cm x H42cm.
For ventilation I was thinking of drilling many holes across the whole of the plastic lid. Providing it is loads of holes, only leaving enough space between the holes for the lid to still be structurally sound, will this be good ventilation? I would prefer doing this than cutting out a rectangle to cover with mesh, as I don't like using Stanley knives / craft knives to cut through plastic from a personal safety preference.
Many thanks on your thoughts.
Vintage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2021, 02:38 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

Hello and welcome to HC!

Airholes are definitely not enough ventilation and don't give enough airflow.
Not only do you need to cut out and mesh a lid, you also need to cut out and mesh a front window so the hamster can see out. I also add a backvent.

Bin cages are really only an option for someone with the DIY skills to convert one. I wouldn't trust myself with a stanley knife either so use a Dremel power tool with a cutting disc attachment. There are other ways to cut though and youtube has some tutorials.

Insufficient ventilation can lead to condensation, getting too hot inside in the summer etc and consequently all sorts of health problems for your hamster.

Maybe you could find a handyman or woman to do the cutting for you?
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2021, 03:44 AM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
Cosmic Hamsters
 
LunaTheHamster1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,593
Default Re: Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

Hi Vintage, welcome and I have to agree with Ria they need more ventilation than just drilled holes. Bin boxes can get kind of sweaty/humid and so need air flow to stop mold etc building up.
__________________
Cosmic Hamsters YouTube Channel
LunaTheHamster1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-23-2021, 10:07 AM   #4
Vintage
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Default Re: Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

Thank you very much Ria P and LunaTheHamster1 for the welcome and the advice. The welfare and happiness of the life of the hamster is my top priority so it's good to know what would and wouldn't provide that.

The option of asking a handyperson to do the work is a good suggestion to consider thank you.

With the rectangular cutout for the window, has anyone had any problems with their hamster chewing along the perimeter of the plastic around this opening? I was wondering if it could work it's way through the side of the bin if it had a raw edge to work on.

Many thanks
Vintage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2021, 01:40 PM   #5
Shadow Cat
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 156
Default Re: Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

When I converted my old bin cage lid it took forever as I only had manual tools. I used a serated saw to cut a massive panel out of the lid and drilled holes all the way around it. I then used zip ties to attached a sheet of 1cm square mesh to the top.

I didn't have any ventilation on the sides of the cage anywhere where my hamster could reach to chew, but I never found it a problem having only the top for ventilation.
Shadow Cat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2021, 02:05 PM   #6
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Are holes drilled in the lid of a bin cage a suitable form of ventilation?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage View Post
With the rectangular cutout for the window, has anyone had any problems with their hamster chewing along the perimeter of the plastic around this opening? I was wondering if it could work it's way through the side of the bin if it had a raw edge to work on.
I made a little transport box this morning which has the same principle as a meshed lid or window.

You could drill more holes and closer together to add more cable ties. The mesh is near the inside edge so it would be very difficult for a hamster to chew their way out.

I've never had any issues.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20210330_215721.jpg (2.70 MB, 14 views)
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
holes, ventilation, lid, knives, plastic

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 05:56 AM.