Has anyone else had this happen?

[Baron]

So, a while ago I posted a thread about one of my syrians, wondering If did everything alright.

So I have a Detolf and a Borneo XL cage. They offer about the same livingspace but the detolf does offer more place for more substrate. I think I have around 30 cm for the deepest area in it.

Bayou, the orange one, was living in the Detolf. Princess Floofbutt lived inside the Borneo cage. I noticed that while Bayou would dig, she seemed really intent on getting out of the Detolf. Lots of wire mesh chewing, even though there were toys and a good sized wheel. She also didn't really do much else then run in her wheel and seemed to be checking when I was standing up to grab a drink from the kitchen.
She's allowed an hour or two in the playpen each night.
Floofbutt had a problem of climbing, pacing around the cage doors and also seemed to be wanting to be left out, she also is allowed in the playpen.
Just like Bayou, she had toys and a good sized wheel.

So, one night I decided to test something. I mucked out their respective cages and switched them around. Bayou got the Borneo, Floofbutt the Detolf.

The first night they seemed unsure, but then they seemed to have settled in.
I haven't heard mesh chewing from Princess Floofbutt, she explores the cage and only shows signs wanting to be let out if I stand near the cage.

Bayou also seems more lively and relaxed inside the bar cage, actually exploring and rearranging her things. Ofcourse she want's out, but when put back inside her cage, she wanders off to do her own thing. And doesn't always want to come out when I open the doors.

Has anyone else has had this situation with their hamsters? That some prefered a tank-like condition, while others seem more at home in barred cages? Because this made me wonder.

[Drago]

It doesn’t surprise me! Hamsters are wonderful little critters, each with their own personality as well.

However, mesh/bar chewing is generally a sign of stress/an unsuitable environment. My guess would be that they were stressed with moving, and were subdued and curious, rather than showing a true preference for one cage type over the other. I would recommend looking into what may have caused the chewing in the first place. Lack of stimulation or a cage that’s too small, tends to be the main cause. Best wishes

[Baron]

I think Bayou mostly did it to get my attention and wanting to be out.
Floofbutt showed the signs in all the other cages she was in. (She lived in a hamster heaven for most her life until she came to live with me. Her former owner noticed the same behaviour.)

They seem to have settled in quite nicely.