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Old 06-13-2022, 12:20 PM   #1
Sadies
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Default Bar spacing?

Hello,
I am creating a lid for an Ikea Detolf (I can't physically DIY anything and buying something expensive is out of the question).

I was looking to buy a metal grid with bar spacings of 12mm, would this be suitable for an adult Dwarf or Syrian?
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Old 06-13-2022, 12:22 PM   #2
cloudy
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Just thought I would let you know that some people make lids and sell them on Etsy. Here is a link to one.
Ikea Detolf/custom Lids | Etsy UK
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Old 06-13-2022, 12:47 PM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Most people use 1cm mesh. Do you mean a grid to sit on top of the detolf rather than making lids out of wood and mesh? Not sure how stable metal grids sitting on top would be. Cloudy's link looks useful!

Have you actually got the detolf yet? If not, might be easier (and cheaper) to buy a cage. The Savic Plaza 100cm is good.
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Old 06-13-2022, 03:58 PM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

12mm is too big, look at 10mm or i use 6mm then can be used for any species of hamster incl robos
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Old 06-13-2022, 11:52 PM   #5
Sadies
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudy View Post
Just thought I would let you know that some people make lids and sell them on Etsy. Here is a link to one.
Ikea Detolf/custom Lids | Etsy UK
Thanks, I am aware of those lids but they are a bit expensive, might have to stretch to it though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
Most people use 1cm mesh. Do you mean a grid to sit on top of the detolf rather than making lids out of wood and mesh? Not sure how stable metal grids sitting on top would be. Cloudy's link looks useful!

Have you actually got the detolf yet? If not, might be easier (and cheaper) to buy a cage. The Savic Plaza 100cm is good.
Yeah, I already own the detolf, I thought I had a lit but I found out aluminium is not pet safe so went looking again. I have a cat so I need a solid lid.

I found a solid metal grid to sit on-top the detolf, I don't have the ability or skills to build a mesh/wood lid that would be suitable unfortunately.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
12mm is too big, look at 10mm or i use 6mm then can be used for any species of hamster incl robos
Thansk so much! Will look around some more.
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Old 06-14-2022, 01:31 AM   #6
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Definitely keep the cat out of the room entirely. Even if they can't get through a sturdy lid, their presence alone can be extremely stressful for prey animals like hamsters. Stress, especially in a more delicate species like the various hamster species, can lead to actual health issues and it is definitely not something to take lightly. This applies to other predator species like dogs and ferrets too - they should never be allowed in the same room either.

As far as the actual bar spacing goes, the one thing I will add is that our standard bar spacing in the US is actually 1/2 inch. We use that for basically any hamster species including robos, and that is certainly not 10mm - in fact it's a little over 12mm even at 12.7mm(or 1.27cm).

Even aside from the US standard, there have been previous threads on bar spacing and the general consensus from others was that 10mm(1cm) is actually fine at the very least even with robos(at least at the age you'd be getting them from a responsible breeder or even standard pet shops etc).
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Old 06-14-2022, 03:07 AM   #7
Ria P
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Talking Re: Bar spacing?

Another option would be to buy a piece of wood at B&Q, get it cut to the required size and get the panels cut out as well then buy a sheet or roll of the 0.5x0.5in mesh, cut out the required size to overlap the cut out panel and staple it on from the outside.

I doubt that it would be a lot cheaper than the lids available from etsy which to me seems the best option for someone without DIY skills.

If you add up the cost of materials, labour and a profit margin, they aren't that expensive, in my opinion.

I agree with AmityvilleHams. Keep the cat out.
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Old 06-14-2022, 06:31 AM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post

As far as the actual bar spacing goes, the one thing I will add is that our standard bar spacing in the US is actually 1/2 inch. We use that for basically any hamster species including robos, and that is certainly not 10mm - in fact it's a little over 12mm even at 12.7mm(or 1.27cm).
Amityville, all the rescues and friends I have in the states wouldn't use or recommend anything larger than 1cm (10mm) for mesh, or barred cages bigger than 10mm gaps. Never heard of anyone in the states using 1/2 inch mesh and it's not something I would recommend either.
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Old 06-14-2022, 08:03 AM   #9
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post

As far as the actual bar spacing goes, the one thing I will add is that our standard bar spacing in the US is actually 1/2 inch. We use that for basically any hamster species including robos, and that is certainly not 10mm - in fact it's a little over 12mm even at 12.7mm(or 1.27cm).
I've only found one source that states this and it says the Syrians should be housed in cages with bar spacing less than 1/2 inch. I doubt an adult Syrian could squeeze through that gap but I've had a few streamline hamsters that would probably have given it a go and I'd dread to think what could've happened. I honestly wouldn't risk it and if I was in the US I would be meshing cages with that type of bar spacing.

Sadie I'd go for the smallest size you can get, that way should you adopt anything smaller in the future, you won't need to worry about making a second lid or adapting the first.

The maximum bar spacing for various small critters:
Syrians/adult dwarf/adult gerbil - 1cm
Young dwarf/young gerbil/roborovski/mice- 7mm
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Old 06-14-2022, 08:11 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Bar spacing?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sadies View Post
Hello,
I am creating a lid for an Ikea Detolf (I can't physically DIY anything and buying something expensive is out of the question).

I was looking to buy a metal grid with bar spacings of 12mm, would this be suitable for an adult Dwarf or Syrian?
Possible for a Syrian, not for an adult dwarf. Personally I wouldn't go above 1cm gap, but it's true, US sizing is "half inch" as the nearest inch sizing, which is about 1.2cm. You can get small syrians as well!

How would the grids be secured on? If you just lay them on top, a hamster could easily push them up.

I think I'd go for the paid for made lid. Or, as Ria says, is DIY completely out of the question? There are tutorials on youtube giving you the exact dimensions for the wood for the lids. You just get the diy store to cut the wood to the sized you need and just use corner brackets to screw the pieces together. You just need a screwdriver, some screws and a few corner brackets from the diy store. The mesh you can also have cut to size, from a roll at the diy store. And attach that with a stapler.

I admit though I would also balk at making one as the mesh is difficult to handle, needs folding at the edges so no sharp edges. And you need the right kind of stapler!
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