When you don't really realise the size of a cage until it's built ooops

[kezza30]

Just scrolling Facebook market place and I see this eco world habitat for sale for £25! It's 115.5cmx75.5cm inside so works out as a 1351 square inches so for £25 I'm calling it a well worth it bargain. Only I didn't quite realise how big it is until it was built lol

We already have a custom cage being built but that's 1065 square inches so since she's a female we thought this would create a much bigger habitat for her and Winston can have the custom cage

I'm really in love with it, I've got a 2 door hide, a homemade tipee and a tube under the big mound of bedding to create a cool maze area plus many hide places.

IMG-20210309-185011 — ImgBB
IMG-20210309-184703 — ImgBB

[LunaTheHamster1]

You are so lucky, i have this cage in the medium as they seem to have stopped selling the large.
I put hinges and a handle on mine, makes the lid soooo much easier.
One lucky hamster you have

[kezza30]

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

You are so lucky, i have this cage in the medium as they seem to have stopped selling the large.
I put hinges and a handle on mine, makes the lid soooo much easier.
One lucky hamster you have

Ohh now there's an idea, I will have to look into that do you have a Syrian in yours? I've heard I should mesh the lid to prevent chewing but there's nothing high enough for her to climb to the lid lol but it would give access to hang more chew toys

[LunaTheHamster1]

yes, I meshed mine. If it helps, I have a video on what I did.

Putting Together & Altering The Living World Eco Habitat Cage | Cosmic Hamsters - YouTube

Yes, I have a male syrian in mine, but I used 0.6mm mesh so safe for any hamster species in the future, except for I would keep an eye on access to the ventilation holes. I wish they were at the top and not half way down.

[Pebbles82]

Great bargain! Yes the lid needs meshing because they can escape! Stories of them using the side vent holes to get partway up and then scaling the back of the wheel (or just pushing all the bedding into a slope and climbing up! It’s not that difficult though - you just get a piece of mesh cut to size by a diy store and a stapler should do for attaching it. Meshing the underside is better. If you do the top they can get trapped under the mesh.

It is a huge cage - it’s the depth of 75cm that makes it so big I think . Lucky hammy!

[kezza30]

OK I will get some mesh tomorrow but I already put her inside the cage. Do you think she'll be OK though for 1 night? I didn't think she'd be able to get out I'm going to put heavy items down so it can't be lifted and then we'll get it meshed tomorrow. I'll check out that video thanks!

Edit: ahh so I watched the video, I'll get mesh tomorrow but I'm also going to need to hinge my lid and screw a handle in that's a much easier way for the lid thanks!

[Pebbles82]

Have you got a playpen? If so you could maybe put that round the cage, just in case she managed to get out of the top. And just keep things low in the cage for now. Fingers crossed! Or at least section off part of the room where the cage is so she can't get far if she did escape. I'd also put cushions on the floor round the cage (in case she gets onto the roof and jumps off).

[kezza30]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Have you got a playpen? If so you could maybe put that round the cage, just in case she managed to get out of the top. And just keep things low in the cage for now. Fingers crossed! Or at least section off part of the room where the cage is so she can't get far if she did escape. I'd also put cushions on the floor round the cage (in case she gets onto the roof and jumps off).

My play pen is much smaller than this cage lol everything's pretty low down so I think she'll be OK for tonight but we'll keep extra doors closed and I'll check in the morning and we can get her sorted tomorrow

[LunaTheHamster1]

It's less the lifting it, more the chewing and escaping through the lid. Looking at your photos, you could just bring the wheel forward away from the edge, and maybe lower some of the bedding on the right, other than that there is only the water bottle that could possibly be climbed up to reach the top. Once you have meshed, you can just put everything back.
Also, not sure whats on the right side at the front of the photo, is it some sort of climbing rope thing? You may want to remove that and also if that is what it is, you may not want to use that in future, it has the potential for your hamster to get stuck in it and hurt themselves.

Yes, every time I lift the lid up I am so grateful I hinged it and added a handle, such a pain otherwise.

[Pebbles82]

I think I'd leave everything as it is or it might stress her - and just hamster proof the room