Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-29-2016, 03:26 AM   #1
HockeyPlayer11
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5
Smile Upgrading the cage

Hi all,

A couple of months ago we brought a pair of Robo's quite impulsively, which is unusual for me as I'm quite methodical, and ending up purchasing a cage which is now too small so now we want to upgrade it. We have been looking at buying the Detolf from IKEA, but I'm worried that they won't adapt to the much bigger cage. Can anyone advise on the best route to take? Thanks
HockeyPlayer11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 03:34 AM   #2
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

You could do a double Lack but have one unit per hamster.The biggest issue with having pairs of hamsters in appropriately sized cages is that they do tend to fight,plus to make a large cage suitable for dwarf hamsters it would need things that pairs really can't have

If you could do a double Lack unit instead each cage would take up around 42-44 inches of length and 21-22 inches of width.However,you could save space by only making one have a lid and have the other essentially stack on the other.You'd have to make doors for the bottom cage though,but you'd already have to make a lid for a cage anyways.It would be more space per hamster though,as each would be getting a half square meter cage instead of if fighting occurs getting far less than that with a split Detolf!

As for making things work for each robo and any hamster really,there need to be plenty of hiding spaces with minimal open spaces.Focus on providing lots of enrichment though!

Something with the Lack units to keep in mind is you can just put mesh on the sides and make disposable cardboard substrate borders up on the outside just to keep substrate in.You could probably get expensive and make them from plexiglass/acrylic or something else,but really why spend more when cardboard would do just the same for far less

I think double Lack units would probably cost less than a Detolf as well,plus they'd be a lot easier to move around since they wouldn't be as bulky or heavy
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 03:48 AM   #3
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

You may be right about the Detolf, pairs generally seem to do better in smaller cages & are more likely to fall out in a large space.
What size cage do you have now? I haven't kept a pair myself but most people who have kept robo pairs successfully seem to suggest something around 70x40 cm is best so maybe nothing bigger than 80x50 cm.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 05:27 AM   #4
HockeyPlayer11
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

Hey Amity, thanks for your contribution. I get what you're saying however they are not currently fighting so to split them up for no reason seems a little pointless to me especially as they seem to like each others company. Our current setup has lots of hidey places for them both and with multiple exit holes so there's no cornering.

Thanks for your reply cypher, they are currently in a p@h large cage 56x36 and I am now fully aware this is too small for them now hence they have only been there a couple of months and the decision to upgrade. If you are saying that something no bigger than say 80x50 then half a Detolf should be ok right? Then the contingency is there if they, touch wood they don't, ever fall out.
HockeyPlayer11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 05:41 AM   #5
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

That sounds like a really good idea using half the Detolf & having the other half just in case, always best to be prepared but some live their whole lives happily together & with a cage like that I think yours would have a good chance & you could make a lovely set up for them.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 07:00 AM   #6
Gimleyand Meeko
Hamster Addict
 
Gimleyand Meeko's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: South East, UK :)
Posts: 905
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
You may be right about the Detolf, pairs generally seem to do better in smaller cages & are more likely to fall out in a large space.
What size cage do you have now? I haven't kept a pair myself but most people who have kept robo pairs successfully seem to suggest something around 70x40 cm is best so maybe nothing bigger than 80x50 cm.
My robos fell out in a smaller cage as of territory.
__________________
Gimley, Gloin, Bart, Meeko, Gingerbread and Red Eyed Pig Pig you will always have a place in my heart and life. <3
Nutmeg, I shall miss you forever but I shall know you are with me always <3
Proud owner of Flo the Westie x Scottie
Gimleyand Meeko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-29-2016, 07:03 AM   #7
CMB
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Hertfordshire - UK
Posts: 3,190
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

P@h have a Savic ruffy cage. Not that tall with narrow bar spacing. Which could be OK.
CMB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-30-2016, 12:46 AM   #8
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

I also like the idea of half a detolf With the other half as a spare cage just in case. There are some general tips people tend to follow when upgrading cages to help with the transition. ie moving all the existing substrate across to the new cage. When the new cage is bigger, obviously there won't be enough substrate, and the detolf has such good scope for deep substrate so they can dig tunnels, so you could put new substrate in to the depth you want and then sprinkle the old substrate on top all across the new, so it still smells familiar. Also try and keep the layout very similar - so houses, wheels etc in the same position if possible, so the "route" is a familiar one. Don't clean anything before moving items across (they'll be ok for a couple of weeks) and then do the two weeks without cleaning apart from the odd bit of spot cleaning. Adding the odd new toy should be fine (you may need more with the space). I think robos like to have a lot of "cover" as well, so filling the floor/top of substrate with toys like tubes and tunnels and hidey places or the odd cardboard box with a hole in will make them feel safer going out and about. Plus if the substrate is deep enough they can tunnel down into it. Also when setting up it's best not to have levels/shelves to avoid territorial behaviour and it's usually suggested to have two of everything for the same reason - eg two houses, wheels, food bowls, water bottles.

As they are currently in a barred cage, then another barred cage could be an option too - you would still have the pets at home cage as an emergency spare cage. I think it would need to be 7mm bar spacing for Robos though. My old 80 x 50 cage was good and had 7mm bar spacing (Savic Mickey 2XL) - it's the same as the Hamster Heaven with a lovely big front opening door. It is also a fair bit lower than a lot of cages so a better height for dwarf hamsters (ie to avoid fall risks if they climb) The downside being the cost - I've only ever seen it for sale on Amazon where it costs about £80. If you have space for a detolf it's a fairly cheap option. Although often people need something to stand it on which then bumps the price up. Some people use two smaller kallax units (so it gives storage underneath) and some have used two of the Ikea lack tables which works out cheaper.

Other tank style options are the Kerry Terrarium at zooplus (about £69). Or the duna multy cages.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2016, 01:27 AM   #9
HockeyPlayer11
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 5
Default Re: Upgrading the cage

Hey guys, my apologies I did intend to reply sooner. Thanks for all he replies and suggestions. I think it's time to go away and do some research and hopefully purchase a new home for them very soon!
HockeyPlayer11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cage, ikea, upgrading

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:22 AM.