Cage questions

[CLFR224]

Hi everyone! I am going to be getting my first hammy next weekend! I am so excited! I just am struggling with what to do about housing... I love the idea of a bin cage, but was thinking that I would attach a critter trail or some other cheap-y cage to it for easier water bottle and exercise wheel hanging. lol My big concern is, would I still need to put a lot of wire mesh in the bin cage, or could I just drill lots of decent sized holes in the bin lid? I have heard of people just drilling a bunch of holes in the lid/ top of the bin, just wanna know what ya'll think. =) Thanks!

[Amethyst_ice]

Hello and welcome.

Why dont you browse the housing section and show us your cage for some ideas. Different cages work for different people depending on the hamster, their time, space, preference etc

It is good you are doing your research and prep ready for whoever will be chosing to adopt you

x

[CLFR224]

Thank you very much! I have an extra ten gallon tank here at the house... do you think one of those high rise tank attachments would be acceptable?

I can't wait to 'be adopted'! ;D

[Pebbles82]

Hi and welcome. A ten gallon tank would be too small unfortunately, even with a cage top attachment. Either for a Syrian or a Dwarf - they need a similar amount of floor space. The bin cage idea with your crittertrail attached sounds ok as long as the bin cage itself meets the required floor area - adding the two floor areas of the bin and crittertrail together doesn't work - it needs to be continuous floor area (in the Uk the minimum floor area is 70 to 80cm for the base of the main cage). If you don't have a crittertrail already I wouldn't bother buying one as an add on - you could use the money better towards a bigger main cage. Water bottles can be easily sorted in a bin cage - either by making or buying a bottle stand, or using industrial velcro.

As for ventilating bins - I believe putting holes in the top isn't enough - you would need a mesh panel somewhere. I know what you mean - I am not much of a diy-er! Once you start cutting bin cages and attaching mesh it means hot-knifing I think.

Are you in the Uk or the US - if you're in the Uk, there are good sized cages available that cost about the same as all the materials and tools needed for a bin cage. (I'm thinking the Alaska cage which is about £32 - good for a Syrian hamster but not a dwarf due to bar spacing). You can also get a Ferplast Duna tank for a dwarf hamster for about £34. (Is it Syrian or dwarf you are getting?).

In the US good sized cages are more expensive. There's a good one for a Syrian at $99. A lot of US owners use 30 or 40 gallon tanks. I'd say 30 gallon long tank minimum. I think in the US you can buy Zilla mesh lids so you don't have to make a lid so less diy.

If you want to have a go at a bin cage, Ikea's largest Samla bin is sometimes popular. Or if you have the space you could use an Ikea detolf as a tank (£40 Uk $60 US). This does need a lid making but it's easier than hot-knifing a bin cage! Just a few pieces of wood and some mesh cut to size in a hardware store (there are tutorials with the dimensions and instructions) and a stapler.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ha...IVSV0UCh3-0QQF

DETOLF Glass-door cabinet - IKEA

Anyway before I start adding any more links I'll wait and see if you're in the Uk or the US (or somewhere else!). I'm guessing US when you mentioned 10 gallon tank.

There are some really good large bins in the US - Christmas tree bins I think.

[Mama2six]

I make our bin cages. When I was still developing our standard, I experimented with just drilling holes along the top edge of each side of the bin. There was not enough air circulation, even though I used a largish bit and went across the entire top. Condensation built up inside, which is not good for the hamster.

What I have settled on is cutting a ventilation rectangle on either end, and bolting the white onto the INSIDE of the cage. (When I put it on the outside, 2 or 3 of my smart escapists discovered a biting edge!)

Good luck!

[CLFR224]

Thank you for all the help, guys! I have my bin cage all set up and ready to go! I just have one more question... and I know this will vary depending on the hamster, but do you think a syrian could escape from a 19.13 inch tall bin cage that has solid walls?

[Pebbles82]

If there's no lid on it could!