Help with making a bin cage :(

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

I've just seen this one which is a good size and not too bad priced. Will defo consider for any future hams.

Cage Duna Multy

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Thanks vectis, defo will purchase a soldering iron if I decide to have another go! The drilling is a nuisence.

[Culprit]

You could also try heating a knife and using that instead if you didn't want to buy a iron

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

That's also an option culprit. I know I do hate to give up. Last night too fudge was really noisy in his cage, as he was running on his wheel the whole cage was clanging which has never happened before and I got up several times to figure out the reason. I think he was getting fed up with me lol. In the end in figured it might have been the heavy rosewood nibble and knaw treat that I put up last night. Put in a few new things to keep it interesting for him. I thought maybe because it was heavy it was pulling on the bars causing the clattering? His wodent wheel is clipped upside down to the bars with cable ties you see but I've never had any trouble before like that. By the time I removed it to see fudge was fed up lol with me interrupting him that he took himself to bed and I didn't get to see if it ran ok after that.

The problem I'm having with making a bin is finding a good sized, well made/sturdy box that is also a good height for his wheel and so I can mesh up the sides. I know the rubs are probably the best out their and I like their lids too. But at the same time I don't want to spend a fortune either. That's one of be good things about bins is that with multiple boxes they should work out cheaper proving you have all the other bits which I do. I have which is good learnt a few things like mistakes in cutting the plastic and what caused it to crack.

For a soldering iron what ones do you have vectis/fluffagrams?

[Vectis Hamstery]

I got the B&Q cheapest own brand one

I do like RUBs - I've had some in constant use with multiple hams for years and they're nice and sturdy, but I agree they are are a pricey outlay at the start. I started with cheaper Wham boxes and still have them as my temporary/emergency cages, but even with less intense use they've cracked. But, if you only have one ham and don't move the cages often (like I do) then a cheaper option may well last ok.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Thanks vectis. Will definitely keep that in mind. Yeah I agree mum has a few of them just for storage and they are great. Also flat sided and yet have a great clip lid. I know there is a lot of differences of opinion to cage size with hams and it does depend on the hamster too but would a rub 84l be way too small for a Syrian even with a fairly deep substrate and good sized wheel plus getting out in a playpen regularly? For me if I was to go down the road of bins I would prefer a run but 84l is prob my best option but if it's too small then il stick with cages.

[AmityvilleHams]

It's pretty much at the bare minimum end.Not cruel,but not necessarily the absolute best you could do.Take some time and think about options like meshed rabbit cages(easier than bins,can still stack,and have better access in almost all cases)or DIY stacked units(not ideal due to how expensive this would get,as well as having to work out the stacking and ventilation and materials etc).

Indoor Square Cage Rabbit & Guinea Pig by Little Friends - Little Pet Warehouse This is the square meter rabbit cage if you've never seen it before It's a very good size,much larger than any bin you'd ever have.You do have to pay more for it,however that does mean not having to add doors to a bin or cut a bin,as well as the extra cost of tools to work with the bins and how expensive the RUB are overall.

[cypher]

I have my Russian hybrid in an 84L RUB at present & to me at least it does seem tiny even for him, it depends on how active your ham is in the cage I guess, you can get a decent size house & wheel in there but not much more, it is tall but you may have to block an area of shallow substrate off for the wheel even with a 9" wheel I don't have much substrate under it.

[Vectis Hamstery]

As you say Golden_Syrian_Hammies, cage size is a matter of opinion, and in my opinion 84L would be satisfactory for many Syrian hamsters. There are always individuals who prefer more/less room, of course. I've seen hamsters (including Syrians) struggle with these large cages that are often recommended online so would recommend choosing a cage according to your own hamster's individual needs and preferences.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I had the hardware store make 3 of my bin cages. They charged me $18 per cage and did an excellent job. Unfortunately they didn't find it profitable during their busy season so they didn't want to make anymore, but with 3 cages made, I think that's more than enough. They cut out as much as possible on the lid and attached mesh with zip ties.