Keeping hammy warm while I'm at work - Page 3

Piebald · 10-08-2015, 10:57 PM

Yeah sheesh I find I can answer most of the questions unless it's tricky health problems or breeding. So I read those to keep learning.

virtualkeith · 10-09-2015, 04:27 PM

[QUOTE=Piebald;755786]Ha I can't believe you found this thread!

See what happens??

Whiskee · 10-14-2015, 09:01 AM

I know this is a repeat solution but it works so well for me that I want to add to the conversation.

My current (new) ham is in a DIY plastic bin, 36" x 16". I live in a cold basement, and I like it chilly. So, I use the small 5 gallon reptile tank heating pads. On plastic, it says to stick them to the side, so I have one on each side, I have them on opposing far corners so he has 'unheated' corners to choose from too, if that makes sense. The sticky back doesn't adhere to plastic very well so I prop them up to the bin with book ends (non flammable stone ones).
My last ham also had 4 wire critter trails attached to the bin (the new ham will have this too when he is acclimated to his new home) and so 2 of the 4 Critter Trail cages had a reptile pad sort of propped at the plastic base, on the side. Not the best fit but I made it work.

Piebald · 10-14-2015, 10:34 AM

Thanks Whiskee! All solutions welcome.

icycold · 10-14-2015, 12:35 PM

Heat lamps are alright, as long as you don't place them directly next to the cages.
I leave my space heater on, it only comes on when the temperature hits a certain low level. I aim it away from the cages, so it warms the room rather than the hamsters.

Piebald · 10-14-2015, 11:46 PM

Thanks icycold. I'm not sure I would be happy leaving a space heater unattended all day though. I'd also be concerned about the cost-- electricity is brutal here. What kind of heater do you have?

Tildauk · 10-15-2015, 05:13 AM

Our boiler has been broken and its been a bit nippy in Sheffield, in true hamster owner style only the hamster room got a heater (she always gets the best stuff I spend more on her than I do myself

), we have been using a oil radiator thing on quite low - its powered by electricity but a little goes a long way with those things and you really don't need much heat to make a massive difference either.

The gas chap has come and fudged a fix for us but we are probably going to have to fork out for a new boiler in the next couple of weeks (

) so Lois might stop getting a thousands toys for a while.

Piebald · 10-15-2015, 09:06 AM

Lol of course the hammy comes first. Yeah those oil filled radiators look to be a good idea for maintaining a low level of heat. My boiler was on the brink the big winter of 2010 and crapped out a couple times. You do not want to go through that. Get the new one now. Xx

icycold · 10-15-2015, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piebald

Thanks icycold. I'm not sure I would be happy leaving a space heater unattended all day though. I'd also be concerned about the cost-- electricity is brutal here. What kind of heater do you have?

I've got a smallish brandless heater from Argos.
See heater

There hasn't been a huge increase in electricity consumption. However, the room I put the hams in is pretty small so the space heater would just warm it up a little before going back off. Quite efficient I'd say.

Pebbles82 · 10-15-2015, 12:48 PM

It's been really cold here (up north!) last night and today. I had to put our oil filled radiator on in the room for Charlie this afternoon. Same here - only the hamster gets the heat during the day lol! So I went and sat in the same room! Our oil filled radiator is quite big so not cheap to run even on a low setting (about 2kw) so I could do with a small one just to have on for Charlie near the cage. Any recommendations?