Suitable cage for Syrians?

magic14 · 04-08-2006, 01:04 PM

Hi,

I have two Syrian's and both have large (length wise) cages, I was just wondering if their are any guidelines as to what's the best size cage for a Syrian hammie? I also keep rats and on one of the forums there is a cage calculator so that gives you a guide to how many rats you can keep in different size cages.

Also, can someone help me out recognising this cage as I would like to get another one: it is made by Ferplast and has a pale blue base, two pale blue levels on either side of the cage with ladders leading up the levels, it also had a rainbow bridge linking the two levels - anyone have a clue what I am on about as I can't seem to find another one anywhere?

SnuggleHam · 04-08-2006, 02:38 PM

I wouldn’t put a Syrian hamster in anything smaller then a 20-gallon tank. In fact I personally feel that a 10-gallon tank for Syrian is too small. I believe that space length wise if much better then a cage with ladders and platforms. I think its best to provide the largest cage you can with floor space. Bin cages are a new favorite in housing hamsters since its do it your self and can be customized to fit the needs the hamster and owner.

For a Syrian I wouldn’t want to go much less then 24 inches long by 15 inches deep. The minimum standard on living quarters for many animals I believe is usually to small to start with. More space should be encouraged. I’ve gotten in arguments before about the “standard/acceptable" minimum living space for gerbils once, which to me is similar for hamsters.

Many of the plastic cages I’ve seen that offer tube systems are to small for Syrian hamsters (at least that why I feel with cages made in the US thus far) I’ve seen better plastic cages from companies in the UK.

Unfortunately HC doesn’t have a calculator like this to determine cage space. All the same Syrians should be house separately.

Here is a link to articles about building bin cages.

http://www.hamstercentral.com/generalarticles.php

I can't help with the cage you are trying to identify, perhaps you should do a google search? Or maybe someone else here will be able to help

Again welcome and please don’t be shy about posting and introduction a pictures of you can!

magic14 · 04-08-2006, 02:50 PM

Thanks again for replying!

Not sure about making the whole bin cages, they look great but I am rubbish at making things!! I am struggling to find larger cages than my existing two that would suit Syrians, the bar spacing is either too big or the height of the cage is too high. The cages I have are perfectly fine but as always I want something bigger, I want them to have as much room as possible!

And I will post pictures soon of my little ones!

SnuggleHam · 04-08-2006, 03:22 PM

If your not a handy person and was interested in a bin cage you could ask for someone’s help. If not then you could even just leave the bin as is and rather then using the plastic top, buy some wire mesh to place on top of the bin. Wire mesh is pretty cheap and you can usually by it by the yard at a hardware store.. just a though

**babyboos** · 04-08-2006, 04:47 PM

I used to use only the cage you refer to for my Syrians - Ferplast Rainbow Cages is what I called them. They are still made - where are you located? I may be able to suggest a supplier - eBay have them from time to time too. I have some second hand ones too if you don't mind a few chew marks.

magic14 · 04-09-2006, 02:09 AM

Ferplast Rainbow - thanks, that's been driving me mad!!! I'm in the Midlands, UK. What is your view of these Rainbow cages, if you don't mind me asking!

Emma · 04-09-2006, 02:19 AM

There's an online pet shop that sells Ferplast Rainbows too, I think they're something like £38 + postage, can't remember which shop it is though and I'm away from home without my own links at the moment!

A cage calculator is unnecessary for syrians - as you can only ever have one syrian per cage, no matter how huge it is. With rats your cage size limits the size of group you can keep - but even then cage calculators have a limited use, as it doesn't take into account variations in size of the rats, group social dynamics etc.

My preferred cages are standard-style wire cages, I like Ferplast and Savic. It depends on the individual hamster what is suitable - syrians can vary hugely in size, out of the two I have at the momen Hazel is quite literally double the size of Toby.

The smallest cage I would have a syrian in is something the size of Ferplast Duo/Ferplast Laura - that's the size I have Toby in, who is a very small boy. But the bigger the better, I have Hazel - my whopping huge female - in a Savic Cambridge, and don't think she could go in anything smaller really.

**babyboos** · 04-09-2006, 07:46 AM

I love the Ferplast Rainbow cage and wish they were more readily available - Pets at Home used to carry them and it is sad they stopped.

magic14 · 04-09-2006, 11:43 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone, you've been so helpful

I have managed to find a few shops online that sell the Ferplast Rainbow cages, I will scour ebay too to see if I can get a bargain, but if not at least I know I can get one from somewhere.

I see what you mean about a cage calculator, I should have said really a guideline for acceptable cage size.

I am in the process now of trying to come up with some fun ideas for a play pen, am going to have to try and make my own though as I have seen some people's hammies have managed to escape from the PAH ones! Just need lots of fun things to put in there so any ideas would be appreciated

**babyboos** · 04-09-2006, 04:04 PM

I use large underbed storage type tubs for my playpens