Drilled holes instead of mesh?

[Hekomi]

My SO is finally relenting on the idea of bin cages, as we're planning to breed in the fall and I would like to have some spare bin cages set aside to separate babies as they age, or begin to fight, or if they generally don't get adopted right away.

We're looking at the IKEA Samla bins. However... we're both pretty useless with DIY things as our condo is small and our ability to get tools is limited.

I was wondering if we could drill holes in the top of the lid and around the lid of the side to provide ventilation instead of cutting and then putting mesh/wire on the inside? If so, how many holes and how thick across? Ideally, these would be temporary homes.

Any other suggestions for bin cages that might be less involved? I'd be happy to learn, but I don't have the tools to safely build them, at least, not that I'm aware of.

Alternatively, a very high bin cage without a lid might work, but I'd be wary of escape artists.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Firstly... Yes, just making lots of holes works but I don't know exactly how many you'd need.

Secondly, you don't need loads of tools and DIY skills to mesh a bincage. We've used the saw on a penknife to cut holes for mesh before, others have used heated knives (best done outside), stanley knives and loads of other things. As long as you're able to follow instructions without injuring yourself you'll probably be able to make a bin cage with mesh if you want to A big part of why they're so useful is that you don't actually need specialist tools or skills, they're a DIY project for anyone capable of handling sharp things (or even of getting a parent to help with that bit)

[Hekomi]

Whoo! Someone might know, but at least it's not an invalid, dumb solution.

I'm good at following instructions... Bad at the not hurting myself part. I have a feeling both my SO and I would end up injuring ourselves. Ideally I wanted to do side meshed so we could stack, but I don't want to worry about them chewing on the mesh, or escaping through the sides by our inadequate meshing abilities.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd just go for the more the merrier if that helps?

Ah ok... It shouldn't actually be that dangerous. I can make them safely Ok I routinely scratch myself to bits on the mesh but I'm always fine apart from that bit and the mesh isn't meant to be the most dangerous bit lol
I'm great at silly injuries... Yet safe to mesh a bin cage as long as I'm careful. I think it comes down to the whole remembering to be really careful thing, I'm not always great at it

Loads of holes is an equally valid solution anyway, its entirely up to you whats best

[Hekomi]

Yeah I figured we'd need lots of holes. I think we'd both prefer that method to be honest. Though if I can figure out how to mesh without killing my hands that'd work. Drilling holes sounds a bit easier, and especially doable if I only have five bins and need an extra one immediately.

[Esmy]

If you do decide to mesh, garden gloves are a must. I didn't do that with my first one, and punctured a finger and scratched my hands up within seconds. Once I got the gloves on, no more injuries. It's very tedious, but rewarding when finished I think. I know nothing about drilling holes. I think I saw a picture of one once, but don't recall what it looked like. Maybe you could make a template somehow to easily mark the rest of the bins for uniformity.

[KittyKatMe]

Since the SAMLA bins are so large, I personally would have no problem going without a lid as long as you don't have a known escape artist. I have kept several Roborovskis in mine with no issues whatsoever as far as escapes. However, since you want to stack the bins, mesh is going to be your best option. I have tried drilling holes, and it simply does not provide enough ventilation.

[Hekomi]

If it was for dwarfs, I wouldn't have a hesitation, but it'll be for Syrians, specifically mothers with pups, and then pups before they're rehomed.

So, while they're tall, I know our female Syrian can get to the top of her 19'' tank pretty easily, so I worry they'd get out.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

I would learn to mesh to be honest. Nothing is more heart wrenching then coming home to find a dead hamster, or worse a dead Mom and whole litter because the room warmed up and nobody was home to cool down the home.

Plus the more holes the better chance of the Hamster finding said holes and spending all day chewing a tiny hole bigger, and bigger, and bigger until the hole is large enogh for them to get their head through but not their body and after minutes of pure terror they strangle themselves and die.

It is not hard to mesh a bin you can actually cut out the hole using a soldiering gun, a small hand drill and 22 gauge wire. To avoid cuts from the mesh use finger nail cutters to cut each thread of wire mesh until you have the whole mesh cut out. Always make the mesh piece at least 1 inch bigger on each side then the cut hole, and attach with the meshing inside. You can use Cable ties, but some stubborn chewers will chew them up, I use 22 gauge wire myself.

Also don't make the hole down to far to the base of the bin as that will encourage Hamsters to chew the bin lid, or worse push the lid up and wiggle out of the bin. I like to place my mesh all across the upper area of the sides and keep the mesh narrow so it is hard for Hamster to use the meshing to gain access to the lid.
Hope this helps

[Teddy001]

To have it meshed for ample air circulation, would be best. The smell of urine could get trapped within the plastic tub. If I meshed two large Guinea cages, you can do it !! . I agree with Esmy, to wear gloves. Wire cutters work cutting the mesh, then if you have industrial stapler, staple the mesh from the inside.