Norbert's Thread

actual junk · 05-05-2018, 03:18 PM

I thought I'd create a thread for Norbert, gorgeous sable long haired syrian, bred by PS Hams, who I brought home today. After losing my lovely Laurie, I needed another little furry presence, and hence Norbert has been welcomed into the family!

*Just a note to any newbies* if you have a rescue or pet shop ham it is advised to give them 3 days to a week to settle in before starting taming, but as Norbert is from an ethical breeder and is used to being handled, it was advised I continued his taming from day one.

After allowing him to settle in and have a good old nap, Norbert woke up for a spot of bath time bonding at around 9pm. He did really really well! He isn't afraid of hands being around his space, and after some initial nervousness [plus a little experimenting to find a treat he couldn't resist] he was happy to take food from my hand as well. He is a tiny bit nervous being picked up, though that being said once you've picked him up he's perfectly happy to be carried/have a wonder from hand to hand.Considering it's only day one he's doing incredibly well, and we will be taking it at his pace, though to be honest from the looks of it it's not going to take long.

"What are we doing?"

I like to provide a couple of toys, particularly a wheel, so that after a couple of minutes of taming he can run off any nervous energy 🌿

"Pumpkin seeds? Now you're talking"

A shot of his lovely coat! He is currently around 6 and a half weeks so he's only a baby, and his coat will grow longer and get more chocolate coloured with age.

I am hoping to update this thread throughout his taming process/life and use it as a bit of a scrap book of my time with Norbert, as it's something I wish I had for Laurie. If anyone else fancies following his little hamster antics they are more than welcome to! 😌

dreamtree1234 · 05-05-2018, 03:38 PM

Oh, my. . . SQUEEE!!! This thread is already cuteness overload, lol!!! Congrats on bringing this adorable, little sweetheart home with you!!! Norbert is just TOO precious and handsome. He is so, SO cute and I am already head over heals over him, lol. I'm sure he will bring you incredible amounts of joy having this baby to love and cherish. I totally love his coloring, inquisitive and heart-melting eyes, and those amazing ears. I am really looking forward to getting to know him and seeing what fun adventures he goes on with you. I love his gorgeous pics and am excited to see more whenever he settles in. My favorite pic is the fourth one. It probably won't take long to fully tame him as he is already doing amazing with it thus far.

Lol, I was holding Eros when I opened this thread and she scurried over to the pic of Norbert and gave his image a few whisker kisses. Apparently, she is a huge fan of his, too.

Thin Lizzy · 05-05-2018, 07:57 PM

He's so blooming fluffy and gorgeous. I love his name.

cypher · 05-05-2018, 11:15 PM

Aww! hello Norbert

Congrats on your new boy, he really is adorable & I love his name too!

Razor · 05-06-2018, 04:04 AM

Aaahhh! He is so cute!!! Lovely colors and ears! Look forward to hearing more about him.

actual junk · 05-06-2018, 05:17 AM

Thank you so much dreamtree! Norbert and I enjoy reading about all of Eros' adventures too

I love his colouring too, I particularly like his little pale undercoat showing through his skirt. Hoping to take more photos during his taming this evening!

Lizzie and cypher - Thank you! I was pleased with his name, it took me a little while to choose as none of the names I had originally thought of really suited him! He is quite clumsy and laid back, so Norbert seemed a good fit.

Razor - Thanks dude! Hopefully I can capture his little hamster life in this thread as it progresses ��

I wanted to share with you all Norbert's current set up. He is in the Linnmon DIY cage, 877 square inches, with a wide 12" silent runner and various toys. He has a sand bath and a ceramic hideout to cool off in which he loves, as well as a puzzle toy made from a cardboard tube to help stimulate him. I think there is a decent balance of space for him to run around as well as hideouts, but if anyone has suggestions for how to enrich his environment I am very open to them! Perhaps more varying levels? I have a decent layer of substrate for him to burrow in which he is definitely enjoying! There are a few different chews in there too.

Norbert's current set up

Coco61 · 05-06-2018, 08:55 AM

What a very handsome young man Norbert is. LH sable is a stunning combination. Huge ears too though he should grow into those! I am 3 weeks ahead of you with my Maestro. He came home from Tuftyfluffs at the same age. His cage is great and you are using that cute blue and white house again I see. Levels could help a bit, yes. Since you are good at diy what about making something? People use popsicle sticks and then you can also make the way up there. I have a barred cage so I can hang a rat Sputnik and tunnel from the top. Could you do that with the mesh or is it too small?

cypher · 05-06-2018, 09:34 AM

I think a shelf would be good, easy enough to make & it would provide a nice hideout place as well as more room or toys etc.

flowerfairy · 05-06-2018, 11:07 AM

Fantastic cage for a fantastic hamster. Lovely. I intend to make something similar for my next hamster. All my current crewe have barred cages.

dreamtree1234 · 05-06-2018, 01:21 PM

I love that amazing DIY cage for your darling Norbert. I thing the setup looks lovely, too. I do agree that having multiple layers will be beneficial and will greatly add to it. Norbert is truly lucky.