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Old 02-26-2022, 11:36 AM   #1
BuddyBearHam
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Default Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

I have a question..

So I’m planning to be getting a Syrian hamster around some time in April and I’m working on the enclosure for it.

The enclosure I have is a sterilite bin. It measures 40x18 (I think? This is just an estimate..) it is the one with the brown lid..
I’ve already modified it to be a bin cage by putting mesh in the lid of the bin.
I’ve got a 12 inch wheel and a multichamber hideout ready as well as a soil dig box and a sand bath.. I’m waiting on another bag of bedding to arrive next week. My 1.8 year old hybrid dwarf hamster has a 75 gallon tank.
Anyways.. I was wondering if it’s a bad idea to get a female Syrian because of how hard they are to please with space? The hamster I get is likely going to be a male but I was just wondering..
Also what are some good ideas to enrich the bin? It seems so tiny with the supplies in it. I’ve got some millet sprays and grapevine but I was wondering if there was much else I could put in there..
Thanks!
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Old 02-26-2022, 12:00 PM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

it would depend on the female hamster, but most are hard to please. If you were to adopt most rescues would be able to advise if what you have is suitable for any of their hamsters.
It sounds like you have a lot of things in the cage already, but boredom breakers are great ways to add more enrichment, I like to use pine cones, walnut shells or even cut up egg carton boxes and hang them up with jute or sisal string and add food/treats into them
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Old 02-26-2022, 12:16 PM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Are you in the US? I think it's about minimum size for a Syrian hamster - especially if those are the maximum dimensions. 18" deep is on the narrow side but ok. But there is no harm in allowing the hamster to settle and then seeing if you need to upgrade later.
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Old 02-26-2022, 04:44 PM   #4
PCpopcorn
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

We have raised three female Syrian hamsters in our family, and we love them all. I have read online too, that female Syrians are "difficult", and some even say they are not friendly to people, which cannot be further from the truth. The hamsters react to you as well, so if you come with doubt, they will give you the same response, so I hope this will not be the case for your future little girl.

From our experience, female hamsters are very spirited and has a unique personality. Ours were all different too, one was very tidy and would keep her nest spotless, while the other had a messy nest. One only used the corner potty while the other one pottied everywhere.

But what we noticed is that they are not the type that will just let you treat them as toys. They are very alert and aware of their surroundings. They are very smart, and can solve puzzles (like one made with toilet paper roll with a snack hidden inside) and mazes really quickly.

Our cousins have a male Syrian hamster, and compared to ours, their hamster seem very dull. You might call him easy going. But my cousins also said he doesn't have personality. He would sit still and not really move and would let anyone hold him.

I guess there is a hamster for everyone, if you give your hamster love, he or she will return the same love to you.

For cage ideas, we also have a bin cage that we made, and added a wired top and also side panel. We made all the furniture from wooden sticks and craft supplies. We had under-ground tunnels covered with shavings, and that was a go-to for her when she was very young. She loves puzzles that require time for her to figure out how to open. We have an external sand pit for her as well that is a little deeper, and she could stay in there for a long time just digging sand from every corner.

Oh, and one more thing, our hamsters never once bit us. They are very gentle creatures. Good luck with your new addition!
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Old 02-26-2022, 08:11 PM   #5
BuddyBearHam
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Are you in the US? I think it's about minimum size for a Syrian hamster - especially if those are the maximum dimensions. 18" deep is on the narrow side but ok. But there is no harm in allowing the hamster to settle and then seeing if you need to upgrade later.
I am in Canada so the minimum is 450 square inches. The bin is in between 600 and 700 square inches.
My old Syrian hamster was kept in too small of an enclosure up until the last 3 months of his life (when he was too sick to really care) so I honestly don’t have much experience with a Syrian’s enclosure size. Just dwarf hams.
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Old 02-26-2022, 08:14 PM   #6
BuddyBearHam
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Quote:
Originally Posted by PCpopcorn View Post
We have raised three female Syrian hamsters in our family, and we love them all. I have read online too, that female Syrians are "difficult", and some even say they are not friendly to people, which cannot be further from the truth. The hamsters react to you as well, so if you come with doubt, they will give you the same response, so I hope this will not be the case for your future little girl.

From our experience, female hamsters are very spirited and has a unique personality. Ours were all different too, one was very tidy and would keep her nest spotless, while the other had a messy nest. One only used the corner potty while the other one pottied everywhere.

But what we noticed is that they are not the type that will just let you treat them as toys. They are very alert and aware of their surroundings. They are very smart, and can solve puzzles (like one made with toilet paper roll with a snack hidden inside) and mazes really quickly.

Our cousins have a male Syrian hamster, and compared to ours, their hamster seem very dull. You might call him easy going. But my cousins also said he doesn't have personality. He would sit still and not really move and would let anyone hold him.

I guess there is a hamster for everyone, if you give your hamster love, he or she will return the same love to you.

For cage ideas, we also have a bin cage that we made, and added a wired top and also side panel. We made all the furniture from wooden sticks and craft supplies. We had under-ground tunnels covered with shavings, and that was a go-to for her when she was very young. She loves puzzles that require time for her to figure out how to open. We have an external sand pit for her as well that is a little deeper, and she could stay in there for a long time just digging sand from every corner.

Oh, and one more thing, our hamsters never once bit us. They are very gentle creatures. Good luck with your new addition!

Thanks for the help!
My old male Syrian was very easygoing and would sleep in the nook of my elbow when I would watch a movie or something but he was also really hyper when he was free roamed. He had a splendid personality. He never bit me when I woke him up (I know now that I shouldn’t have but I was 11-13 when I had him and I didn’t know better at the time) he was such a sweetie.
My current dwarf hamster has bitten me on a number of occasions and I’ve had to re socialize him twice. I’m gonna try to get a hamster from an ethical breeder in hope of getting one with a decent temperament.
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Old 02-27-2022, 08:10 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Their personalities can vary hugely. We've had a very gregarious male and a couple of very chilled males. Females can have a reputation for being maverick and needing a lot of space but their personalities vary too . Your bin set up sounds nice. You can see how your hamster goes on for a few weeks and if they settle or seem to need more space.

I would suggest you have a large house/nesting box in there that's dark inside - they like that. A shoebox house is ideal. You cut the base out of a shoebox and use the lid as a lift off roof. Cut a hole for a door at the end of one of the long sides. The other end will be darkest. It means they can build a huge nest in a dark hide and bury their hoards under their nest, which keeps them happy. If the house is large enough you can also put a corner litter tray at the end opposite the door (away from the darker area where they usually build their nest) and they will almost certainly use it.

Also if it's a female adding cardboard items tends to keep them happy - like an egg box or toilet roll tubes (slit them down the sides so they expand). Females sometimes like ripping up cardboard!
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Old 02-27-2022, 10:32 PM   #8
BuddyBearHam
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Their personalities can vary hugely. We've had a very gregarious male and a couple of very chilled males. Females can have a reputation for being maverick and needing a lot of space but their personalities vary too . Your bin set up sounds nice. You can see how your hamster goes on for a few weeks and if they settle or seem to need more space.

I would suggest you have a large house/nesting box in there that's dark inside - they like that. A shoebox house is ideal. You cut the base out of a shoebox and use the lid as a lift off roof. Cut a hole for a door at the end of one of the long sides. The other end will be darkest. It means they can build a huge nest in a dark hide and bury their hoards under their nest, which keeps them happy. If the house is large enough you can also put a corner litter tray at the end opposite the door (away from the darker area where they usually build their nest) and they will almost certainly use it.

Also if it's a female adding cardboard items tends to keep them happy - like an egg box or toilet roll tubes (slit them down the sides so they expand). Females sometimes like ripping up cardboard!


The multichamber hideout that I made is pretty big. About the size of a shoebox, just shorter. It had a entrance hole of 3inches in diameter in one end of it. Will that work as a dark hideout?
I have a bunch of cardboard tubes because I tend to stockpile them for my hamster so I will definitely add some of those into the enclosure.
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Old 02-28-2022, 05:38 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Yes it sounds great. If it's the size of a shoebox and is multi chamber, just make sure the chambers are big enough for a syrian. They tend to nest in the largest chamber that is around a corner from the entrance (ie the darkest area).
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Old 02-28-2022, 11:41 AM   #10
BuddyBearHam
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Default Re: Bin cage for a Syrian hamster~

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Yes it sounds great. If it's the size of a shoebox and is multi chamber, just make sure the chambers are big enough for a syrian. They tend to nest in the largest chamber that is around a corner from the entrance (ie the darkest area).


Yep. It’s only two chambers so it should be dark enough for the hammy.
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