Cage Height for a Syrian

actual junk · 02-10-2017, 10:57 AM

I'm getting a syrian ham in a couple of weeks, and the DIY cage I'm planning on making [two BILLY extensions together] is 28cm tall, and I just wanted some second opinions but I'm thinking this may be too short? With a good layer of substrate in there would a male syrian be able to escape an enclosure of that height? There would be a lid on top, but I'm not sure how to actually attach it so it would possibly just be placed on - unless anyone has any ideas.

Another possible cage DIY would be the STUVA frame from IKEA [128cm long, 60cm wide, 50cm tall] but I'm not sure where I could put it as it would be too big to fit on my chest of drawers.

AmityvilleHams · 02-10-2017, 11:12 AM

For Syrians you'd need at least 30.5 cm internal height,and that's just allowing for a proper upright 12 inch wheel(not including substrate),so with substrate between 40 and 60 cm.

For lids,you can get hinges from a hardware store.Preferably these will be stainless steel.

Opinions will vary but cages on the floor can work just fine in some cases

However,you can also get table legs from Ikea if necessary which can make a cage elevated and therefore a stand won't necessarily have to be purchased or used!

I'd personally skip out on the Billy for Syrians due to the height,unless you can make a raised topper style lid and use 4 Billy units instead.

I've mentioned using four Lack units before,which would honestly be a better option than any that you've mentioned.Using a single unit like the Stuva means you can't control the shape which is an issue as you'd have a lot of problems trying to actually fit it into many spaces.With 4 Lack units this isn't an issue,since they can easily be made into an L shaped cage which offers considerably more floor space without being massive and having to take up the space all against one wall.

Drago · 02-10-2017, 01:57 PM

I'd say it would be too short. I'd recommend 60cm as a minimum height due to how large a Syrians wheel should be. Though a 21cm wheel might be okay for a short time, most if not all Syrians will outgrow this and require a 27-30cm. Your ham, if close to the top, will do all in his power to try and get out, despite having a suitable environment. You could add raised mesh on top or a double high if you wish to make it more suitable.

(I apologize if I got any measurements wrong, I usually measure in inches)

actual junk · 02-10-2017, 02:42 PM

Thank you both, I expected as much, it definitely felt like it would be a little short - especially for the correct wheel size. The legs is a great idea Amity, I'm definitely going to be looking into that! The LACK option is unfortunately really impractical for me, the L shape wouldn't work in my room at all and it would work out much more expensive as I would want perspex not mesh, and would actually work out smaller in terms of floor space!

AmityvilleHams · 02-10-2017, 03:01 PM

How exactly would it work out smaller if you're using four units?It would be just over a square meter,compared to the Billy which are a tiny bit over half that.The Stuva would only be 1,190 square inches,compared to over 1,550 in the four Lack units.

Mesh is not mandatory for sides,and as mentioned you can still get melamine/MDF for sides and just do a few cheaper sized pieces of perspex for the front.That will save you on money,plus you're saving yourself money since the cage would have considerably more floor space than the Billy.Even if it costs a bit more with the perspex and melamine/MDF added,it is still cheaper when you actually consider floor space rather than just the cost itself.

https://plasticonline.co.uk/acrylic-...lic-sheet.html

One sheet in the 6mm thickness would just make it a tiny bit more than buying two Billy units without even adding in the cost of glass,which is a less durable material.Extruded is slightly cheaper.For the second sheet you're just spending less than £1 extra for one part of the front of the Billy,and then for the second(as you'd need two,for a double)you'd again still be spending only a tiny bit extra.Considering the given floor space however,it is a better value

It doesn't have to be L-shaped,it can be any shape.That is the beauty of a DIY cage,at least one that isn't so limited!

actual junk · 02-10-2017, 03:39 PM

Oh did you mean four units as in each table adds to the floor space? I thought you meant four units as in four tables to make the cage 110cm by 55cm which would be smaller - the only tutorial I have seen you would need 8 tables to make the 1550 sq in cage, which would work out more costly. Also I think I would want perspex all the way round which would double the cost of the cage. I'm definitely not going for the BILLY, its just impractical and insufficient in terms of height. So LACK or STUVA are looking like my best options.

SKB_Hamsters · 02-10-2017, 03:49 PM

How big is the space you have available for your DIY cage?

I have the IKEA Stuva frame for my Syrian but I had to do a lot of adjusting in my bedroom to fit the cage into the space I had wanted it to go. Here is a little info about the cage on my thread All About My Pumpkin which also further along the thread are some better setup ideas). Other thing to mention with the cage is that the back panel is really thin so I used one of the side panel as the base with a small plank of plastikoted pine wood to fill in the gap and sealed it with aquarium sealant. I used 6mm acrylic sheet (which I ordered to the exact size I wanted) for the front which was the most expensive part of the cage costing around £30 including delivery. I personally love this cage so would highly recommend it.

The only other IKEA DIY cage I can think of at the moment is the IKEA LINNMON - DIY Ikea Linnmon Cage - but that does require a little more DIY

AmityvilleHams · 02-10-2017, 04:15 PM

If you're making a lid yourself(which is very easy and would be cheaper)you'll definitely not need 8 units.

You'll end up spending more on the Stuva though,even with considering the floor space.It is an extra £5 already for just the frame,and it might even be difficult getting one large enough piece of perspex for the front which would also most likely end up costing significantly more than the pieces for the Lack.

I'd definitely say that the Lack is the best for the price range,even though it does take a bit of creative thinking and also considering the actual floor space as mentioned!There are definitely ways to keep it cheap and simple,without sacrificing lots of space.

I've personally found that clear sides aren't important all around,and you'd get a decent view between having front panels that are clear and a mesh lid