Easy toy to make

[ianpallen]

I saw a feeder toy on here and thought about making one. I have made two now. The second one took about 20 mins. One piece of wood, one piece of plywood cut into two squares, a spade cutting drill bit and a lot of sanding.
I came up with this
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder001_zps72db9a18.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder001_zps72db9a18.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder002_zpsc555dd7f.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder002_zpsc555dd7f.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder003_zpsa2824b6b.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder003_zpsa2824b6b.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder004_zpse5c940f8.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamster%20cage%20home%20made/hamstertoyfeeder004_zpse5c940f8.jpg.html)

It was the second easiest thing I have ever made for a pet. The easiest being a perch for a budgie from a length of dowel. lol

[cypher]

Looks great Ian, I guess it is a simple thing to make if you have all the gear but even so you've done a good job, I can see the hams will be having fun with that;)

[2LittlePuds]

Super duper :) have you tried it with your hams?

[ianpallen]

Thanks.
It has been in Screech's cage over night and she did not touch it. She might when she comes out in a bit for something to eat .She usually pops out.

I have been in my shed and made a couple of toys. I went in thinking of one toy and came out with three completely different toys.
A swing and dumb bell toy
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/diy%20stuff/hamdiys003_zpsfedd2492.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/diy%20stuff/hamdiys003_zpsfedd2492.jpg.html)
and a chew toy with coconut wheels on a wooden axle. The coconut wheels are loose.
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/diy%20stuff/hamdiys002_zpsd9d01c56.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/diy%20stuff/hamdiys002_zpsd9d01c56.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/diy%20stuff/hamdiys001_zpsc5b020d5.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/diy%20stuff/hamdiys001_zpsc5b020d5.jpg.html)

[2LittlePuds]

I can't believe how much fab stuff you make! How is the coconut one done?

[ianpallen]

I can't believe how fab stuff you make! How is the coconut one done?

Thanks
When I done the coconuts with the 4 and 5 holes in them for the hams to run through, I used the hole cutting bit and kept the pieces drilled out as they 'might come in handy' an d they are like wheels. The hole in the centre is 6mm drill bit and the outer is 30mm (I think). These 'wheels' are on a 6mm piece of dowel and I have some small 10mm dowels which I drilled a 6mm hole through the ends and glued them on as stops. When the glue is set, cut the excess off. The coconut pieces are loose on the shaft and the ham can chew all they want.

[2LittlePuds]

That's brilliant. You could stuff treats in between the wheels as well

[Pebbles82]

They're all excellent. I really love the swing, it's fantastic. You are very clever at making things.

[ianpallen]

They're all excellent. I really love the swing, it's fantastic. You are very clever at making things.

Thanks. I just like making things out of wood.

This is what I originally went into the shed to make. i have just been in to make it. lol
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/diy%20stuff/hamrolltoy003_zpsbf8766f1.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/diy%20stuff/hamrolltoy003_zpsbf8766f1.jpg.html)
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/diy%20stuff/hamrolltoy002_zpsc1eff96e.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/diy%20stuff/hamrolltoy002_zpsc1eff96e.jpg.html)

[cypher]

I really like the coconut thingy Ian, great idea & I can just imagine hams having fun chewing that or trying to prise treats out as it rolls around!

[ianpallen]

I really like the coconut thingy Ian, great idea & I can just imagine hams having fun chewing that or trying to prise treats out as it rolls around!

Thanks.
The way it is made, there is not much room to open it up so treats will not fall out. They can be put inside easily enough. The end coconut pieces are glued in place onto the end pieces I glued on, but it does not matter as they cant be filled. The inner ones can have seeds and mealworms and other small treats shoved in. lol. I think I will have to try Screech on it with mealworms in it as she is the only one interested in them. For the others, I will have to find other treats they like, which could take ages. lol. No perishables though. ;)

[cypher]

You might be able to jam a pumpkin seed in there when you get some bigger ones, that should keep them busy for a while ;)

[ianpallen]

I will have to ask my wife to get some more coconuts and make some more. At the moment, it is in Screech's cage with mealworms in as I know she loves them. All my hams have pumpkin seeds, both roasted and plain but it does not look like any are being eaten. My robo is not too bothered with mealworms. They dont like scrambled or boiled eggs. They will eat cheese but most of hte time, they leave it. They like strawberries but being perishable, I dont want to put any in a treat toy as it could go bad. I will find something they like. ;)

In the coconut toy, there are the three stages of dried mealworms. I found a couple of the larvae like them things in Alien films and also a dead small beetle. So she has three stages to get out of it. i dont know if hams eat the beetles. It does not seem to have a head. lol.

[cypher]

You have some fussy eaters there! Sounds like Screech has quite a feast though if she can figure it out :p
Not sure about beetles tbh, I've given mine crickets & some silk worm things, not sure what alien stage they were at, but the hams just looked at me like I was crazy... well they probably have a point there! :)

[ianpallen]

I am not too sure on the beetle, so there is only one. The alien looking thing is enjoyed by Screech which looks meatier than the mealworm stage but smaller in length. My dragons liked them as well. But they were an easy catch for them as they didnt move as quick as a mealworm. :)

[MamaHam]

amazing ideas :) i just love it.

[ianpallen]

Here is Screech having a go at hte coconut thing with mealworms in. She has not managed it yet. lol
http://i740.photobucket.com/albums/xx46/ianallen2/Hamsters/Screechmeerkating012_zpsf11947f6.jpg (http://s740.photobucket.com/user/ianallen2/media/Hamsters/Screechmeerkating012_zpsf11947f6.jpg.html)

[cypher]

Aw love that shot Ian, you're really making her work for those mealworms :)

[ianpallen]

Its a way to help keep her teeth down if she keeps at it. lol. I dont think she is bothered, but I am not putting any more mealworms in her cage for a while. So if she wants them, they are there in the toy for her. :D

[2LittlePuds]

Lol so cute. have you tried any other treats with her yet?

[ianpallen]

Not yet. Not been pet shop to see what there is. i asked my wife to get some other kinds of treats, but the LPS is crap for them. She will have to go town for them.