How long should I keep the tubes blocked off?

alvinsfamily · 03-09-2010, 07:21 AM

Hello all.... our new hamster seemed to want to spend all its time (asleep and awake) in its tubes. Its got a massive hamster heaven and it seemd such a shame for it t be so nervous it spent all its time in the tubes. So we blocked them off and now the hamster runs around, uses the wheel etc. Should I leave the tubes blocked off for a while??? x xxxx

annie81 · 03-09-2010, 07:28 AM

well...they dont necessarily need the tubes. i never had tubes for my hammies and they are all happy. i think you can just leave them away. you could put a tube inside the cage as a tunnel...that should give the hamster the same feeling...

louise_81 · 03-09-2010, 07:44 AM

I would leave them cut off too, and then maybe introduce them back in a couple of months time, if you want to. I agree with Annie, that they don't need tube, but it is nice to have a bit of variety. My hamsters don't get all their toys all of the time, just so I can change things around and keep them interested in their environment.

My newest hamster only has his wheel and a bridge in his cage, which is helping to tame him as he sees me, and his ball as his entertainment. He gets to go in his ball after being handled. He loves to go out in the ball, and I vary the rooms he goes in.

**Hope** · 03-09-2010, 07:49 AM

Now I read about this problem somewhere else today on a different thread, hold on and I'll find it! . . . Oh yes it's in the Cage Review section under the Hamster Haven review. Somebody had the same problem and Souffle posted a good reply. Sorry I don't know how to post a link to the right section but the post was on the 28th June 2009. If you have a look under the hamster haven review you should find it!

It basically says that once the hammy has established a new nesting place it will be ok to unblock the tubes and he/she should now use the tubes normally.

souffle · 03-09-2010, 12:08 PM

We usually block off tubes for around 8 weeks by which time they are well and truly established in the main cage.
Give it another few weeks then let him try them. No harm in trying as you can always block them off again can't you?

Iluvhamsters · 03-09-2010, 01:50 PM

I agree with Souffle, leave it a few more weeks, then try and if your hamster starts sleeping in the tubes again, you can always block them off again