What do you all think? DIY habitat

[Teddy001]

Hello HC friends,

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day/evening.. I would like your thoughts on this DIY home for my soon to be large Syrian girl. At the moment, she is living in 3 attached cages, including (Critter Trail) which is fine for now, but she is growing at a pretty rapid rate, and I'm looking at exploring other housing options for my sweet girl..
It's made from an wood table. My question, is do you think there is enough ventilation for an Syrian hammie to live in an cage such as this? I read somewhere, they can get overheated, and was wondering if anyone housed their Syrian hammie in an aquarium? I've thought of buying a 55 gal or larger aquarium (normally used for fish) or making this cage from an table.
The table cage, measures; 43" Long x 29" Wide x 20" High, appx cost $112.00(the pink cage in pic#2) is an comparison of what they sell here in the US, at pet stores, compaired to the size of the DIY table enclosure.. I was thinking that Habitrail OVO cage I have on hand, attach with OVO tubing to lead outside the table cage.


Currently Teddy bear, my hammie, can fit in the critter Trail tubes, (pic #4) is where she lives right now.. but I realize she will not be able to fit in the critter trail tubes much longer..
I do wish the hammie cages were a TON larger, here in the US, like in the UK.. and other countries.. If I had a large surplus of funds, that would be something I'd like to manufacturer.. HUGE cages, move in ready! Hee hee.. Your suggestions and advice, is greatly appreciated!

Teddy's Mommy

[DrKMcK]

I like the table cage. I believe that people who make these have holes drilled for ventilation. Check on the DYI site here. Also, I use tanks for Ted E. Bear (Just because I had them) see his setup below. I know others will be along with more info.

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

I like the table cage. I believe that people who make these have holes drilled for ventilation. Check on the DYI site here. Also, I use tanks for Ted E. Bear (Just because I had them) see his setup below. I know others will be along with more info.

Thanks, DrKMcK

What an FAB set up, you have there.. I LOVE the toppers!! LOOKS SO FUN and spacious! GREAT JOB!
It's my first Syrian hammie, and I'm not sure how large she will grow to be, however, I was shown her parents, and papa was at least 7" long, and good size wide.. mommy was a bit smaller than papa, but also pretty large..
Having dwarfs, the Syrian hammies can look gigantic in comparison.. LOL..

I was also, wondering about the flooring.. since the table would be wood, maybe laminate flooring?.. I do enjoy wood working, and have an area in the garage with my tools to cut, wood..ect..

Thank so very much, for your input..

[DrKMcK]

The folks here who do DYI houses use non-toxic enamel paint to seal any moisture out of wood. But laminate is a good idea too. If you are handy, run with it. You can be as creative as you like. You can combine different ideas you see on the DYI forum and do what fits you and your hammy. Ted E. loves his home. In fact I put a bigger cage in the center since I took that photo. You'll find over time that you'll see new ideas and want to change your hammy's home. Ted's been through about 4 renovations .

[Kiki_3173]

I just recently finished an IKEA hack cage and have made a previous tank style one (both pictured below). There would certainly be enough ventilation with that DIY cage. Mine has a 5" x 35.5" strip in the back for ventilation and I have never had any problems with Darwin overheating. I've seen thae DIY you've posted about and the maker is on another forum I belong to. She's never had any problems with the ventilation. It's an awesome project!

.


As for the flooring, you could try a few things. I've used contact paper. It's cheap and replaceable. I've also used the adhesive laminate flooring tiles too. Both were easier for me than painting the base.

[AlexWyattMommy]

First off, kudos for not falling for US Manufacturer's horrible cage tactics. That you gave her extra square foot room by combining items was great. If I ever win the lottery, I would love to create correct habitats for hamsters and blast advertise them.
I saw one DIY made with plexi glass and they drilled holes along the top in two rows for ventilation. High enough that the hammy couldn't use them to create an escape hole.
Did you already make that one show or are you planning on? Still working on my second cup of coffee after grocery shopping. Reading comprehension is low right now. LOL

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by Kiki_3173

I just recently finished an IKEA hack cage and have made a previous tank style one (both pictured below). There would certainly be enough ventilation with that DIY cage. Mine has a 5" x 35.5" strip in the back for ventilation and I have never had any problems with Darwin overheating. I've seen thae DIY you've posted about and the maker is on another forum I belong to. She's never had any problems with the ventilation. It's an awesome project!

.


As for the flooring, you could try a few things. I've used contact paper. It's cheap and replaceable. I've also used the adhesive laminate flooring tiles too. Both were easier for me than painting the base.

Kiki-
Oh, MY!! Your cages are Fabulous!! May I ask
The cost and what did you buy from Ikea
To make??
Thank you SO kindly for the information..!
I just love your cage!! Is the front plexiglass?
I went to a few home supply stores, and the
Plexiglass are a bit expensive- although
If I decide to build Teddy a cage, that would
Most likely be the most expensive item-
This is a bit " odd" but where I live there's
No Ikea stores- I know right? I looked online
And didn't see that Ikea has an online store..
I'm in a very rural, in the country.. Lol.
Thanks again for your input, my minds thinking
Of the amazing Cages that can be built..

[Teddy001]

Originally Posted by AlexWyattMommy

First off, kudos for not falling for US Manufacturer's horrible cage tactics. That you gave her extra square foot room by combining items was great. If I ever win the lottery, I would love to create correct habitats for hamsters and blast advertise them.
I saw one DIY made with plexi glass and they drilled holes along the top in two rows for ventilation. High enough that the hammy couldn't use them to create an escape hole.
Did you already make that one show or are you planning on? Still working on my second cup of coffee after grocery shopping. Reading comprehension is low right now. LOL

Hi Alex,

Yes, the US cages are pathetic! Today I made
A bin cage for Teddy- and attached it to her
Other cages, so she has space to roam and
Walk around- this is a temp fix until I find
A table, which I'm searching for used
Since I really can't afford a table the size
That I want new- after buying 6 cages
To split between my to sweethearts, Candy
My dwarf and Teddy, Syrian I'm hoping to
Find a nice large used table- the hammys are
Both mine and my daughters, although she
Is a bit young to properly care for them
I assumed that responsibility- now they
Have become an passion of mine, and I So
Love them to bits!!
I found the table cage on a DIY video, and
The girl seems very caring and lovely.
Thank you very much for your comment
And I'll post pics of the Table cage
After I finish it..

[Kiki_3173]

Thanks for the nice comments Teddy001. My DIY coast me about $130 to build. I later installed some LED lights for another $40. I was like you and my Syrian hamster, Darwin, has been through quite a few cage changes (so has my bank account)! I've wanted to build a DIY for sometime now and I am SOOOO glad that I did, but I'm also glad that I was able to experience him in all of these cages because I knew exactly what I wanted to include in my DIY! I love these two habitats that I have created and my hamsters enjoy them too!

Here is a Thread that I wrote that has a list of supplies, cost, and instructions. The front doors are sliding and yes, they are plexi glass, which ended up being the most expensive part of the project. But...it certainly provides easy access to the cage for interacting with Darwin and cleaning the habitat. I wouldn't have done it any other way

This is a cage tour of his habitat. It shows the habitat up close.


I also want to direct you to this thread. It has some awesome 3D model ideas for DIY cages. Hope all of this helps & PLEASE make sure to share your progress...I love seeing other people's creations!

[Melainia]

That thread is amazing! Makes me wish I were better at Sketchup.