Screech's new cage. pic heavy

**ianpallen** · 07-24-2014, 08:02 AM

I have built Screeches new cage and I am very pleased with itHer 'old' cage had plenty of room and her new one is like a whole new world to her. I placed the wheel back onto the wheelhouse. I put a home made see-saw in the cage as there was plenty of room. The new bath is in and she has had a sand bath today and loved it.

The wheel is a temporary one until I bid and buy a silent spinner.

The bath is just the right size and with plenty of hamster sand (dust free).
The cage is 44 inches wide x 24 inches deep and 21 inches high.
I hope you like the cage. I will be fitting som led's when I finally get them delivered.

Esmy · 07-24-2014, 08:07 AM

It looks great! It really looks like a hamster mansion. Good job!

**DrKMcK** · 07-24-2014, 08:14 AM

OMG! That is a mansion! Screech's new home is utterly fantastic! Has the wood been sealed? I'd do a thorough weekly check of all surfaces for chewing since that's what rodents do best. But I think Screech will have loads of things to keep her busy. She is adorable in the sandbath and I love what you did with the waterbottle. That is a wonderful home!

JBH316 · 07-24-2014, 08:30 AM

Oh wow, it looks amazing! I ordered a cage just like that before I got my female syrian but it didn't arrive in time so I cancelled the order. She is very destructive though so she would have been moved out of there pronto

Seeing it all set up like that makes me so tempted to order it for my little hybrid.

I hope Screech will be very happy in her new abode!

**ianpallen** · 07-24-2014, 08:52 AM

Thanks for all the comments. There is a load of space for her now.
The only thing that I can criticise is there is no 'floor' to the cage under the pull out draw. If you take the draw out to change the wood shavings, the carpet below is on view. I think I will get a piece of plywood to place on the very bottom. Other than that, it is a good cage.
Tiome will tell to see if Screeech chews her way out. lol.
I sealed ir with 50/50 pva / water mix. The inside surfaces has 3 good coats on and the outsides have 2 coats. The removeable tray had 5 coats as the corner loo is on it and I wanted to protect it. As the weather is so hot today, it didnt take long for the pieces to dry completely. I let it all dry before I put another coat on it. The varnish has not arrived yet, but I will see what it is like at protection before I put the varnish on it.

Screech looks a lot smaller now when she is running around in it. lol

Hekomi · 07-24-2014, 09:04 AM

That is amazing! I wish we were that handy.

BrainGirl · 07-24-2014, 09:10 AM

That is totally cool! Did you build that from scratch or did it come as a kit? I'd love something like that!

**ianpallen** · 07-24-2014, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainGirl

That is totally cool! Did you build that from scratch or did it come as a kit? I'd love something like that!

I bought it flat pack from Germany off ebay for £49.99 free postage too.
Bought it monday received today thursday. Not bad.

I have some pics of it on my lawn where I sealed it and it was spread out in the sun drying.

racinghamster · 07-24-2014, 11:23 AM

What a wonderful space for a hamster.

The only thing from the whole set up that worries me though is the height of the very upper level Ian. Hamsters are not climbers naturally, so I would worry about her toppling off that upper shelf. I don`t know if there would be any way you could make that a whole upper level with a ramp to the safer, lower levels? The sides have batons across them so maybe another shelf could be added to balance on those? But what a grand design!!!

**ianpallen** · 07-24-2014, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

What a wonderful space for a hamster.

The only thing from the whole set up that worries me though is the height of the very upper level Ian. Hamsters are not climbers naturally, so I would worry about her toppling off that upper shelf. I don`t know if there would be any way you could make that a whole upper level with a ramp to the safer, lower levels? The sides have batons across them so maybe another shelf could be added to balance on those? But what a grand design!!!

When the wife has finished with my ipad, I will take a photo of hte cage as I have placed tubes from the top platform to the bottom. I dont have anything to block off the sides to prevent Screech from toppling off, but she was up there earlier and looking down over the edge. She saw it was a drop, but went down the ramp. I think she prefers tubes more than ramps as in her old cage, instead of going the short way up the ramp, she went to the upper level via tubes.