Bin cage ventilation - Page 2

BonnieBear27 · 09-03-2019, 02:11 PM

It does seem to be pretty difficult to find a good sized bin with a flat lid. I've shopped around for a good while but I can't seem to find the perfect bin. I'm not sure if the full mesh top would work for me as I would be worried about it's sturdiness, we also have 3 cats and although they are not allowed in the room with the hamsters, I'd be worried about an accident happening. At this point I'm kind of stuck for ideas because if the bin situation wasn't bad enough I now can't get ahold of any wire mesh. The only place that had it is out of stock

Ria P · 09-04-2019, 09:29 AM

B&Q is the only place where i saw a decent bin with flat lid.

Does it have to be a bin though?

An Alaska cage from Zooplus works out to pretty much the same cost or you could check Gumtree and ebay for fish tanks then make a wooden framed mesh lid.
Zooplus has lots of nice cages and tanks too.

With 3 cats about you can't take any chances, they are ceafty beasts.

BonnieBear27 · 09-04-2019, 01:41 PM

My dad came to the rescue and sorted everything out for me.
I was going to use rivets to hold the wire in place and when I was asking him about them he came over and did the whole thing for me. I doubled the wire up so the gaps are half the size and my dad cut out the lid and fitted the wire for me. I don't even know how he managed it but whatever way he did it, the different strip heights didn't affect it and there are no escape gaps. Once I had the tape around the edges to tidy it up, it looked pretty good.
All that needs to be done now is drilling some extra holes in the walls and a hole for the water bottle.
With the cats I'm always worried because 2 of them are mad hunters and we lost a couple of fish to them once and we still don't know how they got into the tank.
Luckily though, my dad is absolutely certain that the bin is as safe as can be since made it.
Thanks for all the help and advice, I really do appreciate it

Hammygal · 09-06-2019, 07:14 AM

I have a 110 qt bin, with vent windows in front and both sides, and lid.

Ria P · 09-06-2019, 08:48 AM

Bonniebear, could you post a photo of your bin please? I can't figure out how your dad did this. Did he use rivets or cable ties or wire to secure the mesh?

My partner made a great wooden framed, goldy coloured mesh lid which i decorated with beads. Wished i'd be as good with DIY.

BonnieBear27 · 09-07-2019, 08:36 AM

As I had no small wire mesh I layered up some wider mesh I had which is why it looks a bit messy, but it's only temporary until the other mesh is back in stock. My dad used really short screws around the edge of the wire and he covered the ends with a washer and then tape so it's hammy-proof. (I know the bin is pink-tinted but light can still get into it)

Ria P · 09-07-2019, 10:32 AM

Yes, that should keep the cats out and the hamster in.

I found decent sized, flat lided bins at Hobbycraft today and still fancy creating a hamster home as a DIY project.

BonnieBear27 · 09-07-2019, 10:36 AM

A flat lid will always be better in terms of attaching the mesh, it's a pity I couldn't find any but at least mine worked out in the end

AmityvilleHams · 09-07-2019, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonnieBear27

With the cats I'm always worried because 2 of them are mad hunters and we lost a couple of fish to them once and we still don't know how they got into the tank.

Cats shouldn't be allowed in the same room as prey animals at all, including hamsters, which should help quite a bit with that issue. It's not just about them getting into the cage and what happens when they do that, it's also about the stress it causes to hamsters to have predators nearby where they can see and/or smell them since we know how bad stress can be for a hamster's immune system!

If you happen to have one or more of those mystical felines who just happen to open doors, decent locks tend to stop that. I myself am in that lucky club, and the moment mine manages to open a locked door I'm not sure if I'll be investing in a deadbolt, a door chain, or possibly calling in an exorcist

BonnieBear27 · 09-07-2019, 03:09 PM

The cats aren't allowed in the hamsters room, so hopefully there'll be no more accidents. The fish were in the utility room at the time and she accidentally got locked in.I guess she got hungry.If you ever come across a good exorcist let me know because I'm convinced kitty has an evil soul.