New DIY cage

[SecretlyDying]

i thought id share my hamsters soon-to-be new DIY cage with everyone here and why i decided to make her a new cage.

So last night i was just looking around various websites for some sort of unit i could turn into a hamster cage sometime in the future when i came across this unit from B&M at a bargain price of £19.99.



The measurements (from the website) are W90 x D45 x H42cm (Approx.)
https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/...g-doors-331440

So this morning when i woke up i spoke to my mum and dad about it and we set off to get what we'd need to make it into a fabulous cage. We first went to B&M and bought the unit, then to Wickes for some wire mesh for the doors and back. Once home me and my dad got to work.

Our progress so far:


There's a divider in the middle which we decided to keep in for support but we cut a large circular archway in it so the hammy can use the full area



And then here it is again with the door frames in (they're sliding doors). We were having some trouble with our staple gun which is why we decided to finish the cage tomorrow. So all that's left to do though is to put mesh on the two doors, cover 2 small holes that are on the bottom back with wood and 2 other holes on the top back with mesh.

I cannot wait for it all to be finished as its going to be replacing her bin cage and will look much nicer in my room while still being a large enough cage for Kiara (hamster)

[CMB]

It looks good. You could add a shelf, using the pieces of wood that you cut out of the sliding doors.

I think the divider could be removed, as it would make adding toys, hides and the wheel easier.

[Dalis_mum]

That's fantastic. Personally I would have had glass cut for sliding doors as I fear sharp bits on mesh (my own little neurosis), and I have the wood cutting skills of an amoeba. I'm definitely keeping this cabinet in mind should anything happen to my Viv (or should I get greedy for extra hamsters hehe).

[SecretlyDying]

Thanks for your replies guys.

CMB
Re: New DIY cage
It looks good. You could add a shelf, using the pieces of wood that you cut out of the sliding doors.

I think the divider could be removed, as it would make adding toys, hides and the wheel easier.

CMB i agree that i probably could take the divider out and at some point in the future i probably will however for my current hamster who is very skittish i'm going to be leaving it in as i feel it will make her feel more secure/less scared.

Dalis_mum
That's fantastic. Personally I would have had glass cut for sliding doors as I fear sharp bits on mesh (my own little neurosis), and I have the wood cutting skills of an amoeba. I'm definitely keeping this cabinet in mind should anything happen to my Viv (or should I get greedy for extra hamsters hehe).

Me and my dad actually looked into getting perspex for the doors but it ended up being too expensive - my dad didn't want to spend a fortune on this cage so we went for the mesh instead and the total of the cage was only around £25

The cage is now finished and Kiara seems to be enjoying it - she's been digging a ton and exploring.

Pictures of the finished cage and current set up


The right side:


This is the side i'll be accessing most and is where her food and water will be placed.

The left side:


and the cutie herself:

[Dalis_mum]

That looks brilliant. The lip is good too as it will make her feel more secure by offering extra privacy. Cute little madam too.

[SKB_Hamsters]

Your DIY cage looks amazing and it looks like Kiara is very happy with her new cage.
That is such a good find for a piece of furniture to turn into a hamster cage and at a great price too.

[SecretlyDying]

Originally Posted by Dalis_mum

That looks brilliant. The lip is good too as it will make her feel more secure by offering extra privacy. Cute little madam too.

Thank you, I think she's enjoying it and feels more secure. She actually walked into my hands/arms tonight which she's never been brave enough to do before

Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters

Your DIY cage looks amazing and it looks like Kiara is very happy with her new cage.
That is such a good find for a piece of furniture to turn into a hamster cage and at a great price too.

Thank you, I think she's happy with it too, I've seen her digging more and acting a bit more confident when I'm sat near the cage

Tonight though (2am ish) I walked in my room to see my rabbit following a small white and brown football around my bedroom floor- Kiara escaped. In hindsight I probably should have seen this coming as the cage doors do slide open quite easily. Kiara looks and is acting normal and I've used an eraser tip and a wedge of cardboard to stop the doors sliding however I'm going to need something more permanent.

Does any one here have any ideas on how i can keep the doors shut?

[Dalis_mum]

You can get special locks for sliding doors. Not sure it they'd work on wood...

https://tag-dyn.omnitagjs.com/fo-dyn...174&smart=true

There's also rubber wedges

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Vivarium...kAAOSwDwlZdw~q

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head...

Glad she seems unscathed from her romp with your bunny.

[Dalis_mum]

Hmm. Dont know what happened with the first link lol

Attempt 2

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sliding-Gla...item3affa564cc

[SecretlyDying]

Originally Posted by Dalis_mum

You can get special locks for sliding doors. Not sure it they'd work on wood...

https://tag-dyn.omnitagjs.com/fo-dyn...174&smart=true

There's also rubber wedges

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-Vivarium...kAAOSwDwlZdw~q

Can't think of anything else off the top of my head...

Glad she seems unscathed from her romp with your bunny.

Thank you! I've worked in a let shop that used to use those wedges for their reptile vivs that had sliding doors. They'll probably work so I'll head to that pet shop as soon as i can and see if they sell them if not ill definetely order some online