Sparrow & Poe

Pilgrim77 · 09-06-2014, 10:02 AM

So I caved today and went to Pets at Home. It's been weird getting used to Vincent not being around, I keep thinking of going to handle him and then remembering he's not around any more. The room felt very empty with 2 hamsters (Robo - Cassius and Hybrid - Izzy).

They had about 7 of them in the store but I behaved and got 2. They're both set up in the Terrarium Kerry from Zooplus - it seems to be a decent size for them. I'm letting them settle in and get used to their surroundings before taking pictures and will start taming in 2 days or so.

I have a checklist of things for the 2 of them together but if I've missed anything would be great if anyone could say!

- 2 wheels (silent spinner and flying saucer) I'm going to get a second silent spinner the same during the week.

- A food bowl big enough for them both to sit in if they want to.

- No houses that have only one entrance (so they can both move freely)

I have a Knuff platform in at the minute but thinking I might have to take it out? I put it in so it's a wide entrance shelter for them to nest in but is it bad to have a level in a cage even if it's relatively small compare to the rest of the cage?

Pictures in a few days of the two of them - they're unbelievably cute and tiny and I can't wait to be able to handle them!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 09-06-2014, 02:47 PM

I'd definetly take the platform out at least for now but apart from that it sounds like you're doing great

cowgirlskipper · 09-06-2014, 08:53 PM

I would scatter feed, a food bowl can cause territory squables and food hogging. Other than that and the platform, you've got it down! Maybe a second waterbottle as well to be on the safe side, but they should do okay with just one.

Pilgrim77 · 09-07-2014, 04:08 AM

Good idea about scatter feeding, the bigger they get the more squabbles there'll be over the food bowl. I took the platform out, the only problem being they've now buried everything - including the two sand baths in woodshavings. My nice neat set up out the window.

They're both still very shy and scurry if I walk past the cage but hopefully they'll venture out a bit this evening.

**DrKMcK** · 09-07-2014, 06:18 AM

I had the very same problem with my two hybrids! It wasn't until Toffee passed away that I was able to put an IKEA knuff house in for Almond and have his bathtub up above the substrate. *sigh* It's all part of having a pair.

Pilgrim77 · 09-07-2014, 07:14 AM

Cute pair! My other hybrid Izzy is the same with both her food and sand - she will actually go to the bother of moving substrate up onto her shelf to cover things. She's very protective, I guess...

Pilgrim77 · 09-08-2014, 05:12 AM

First taming session today, Poe is very vocal, I think it'll take more time with him and much patience, don't want to push him as he seems very nervous and skittish. Sparrow is a bit more confident. Only got a few photos for now and photobucket doesn't seem to be resizing them properly. Here's one anyway:

That's Sparrow on the right and Poe on the left.

Pilgrim77 · 09-10-2014, 08:52 AM

Bit freaked out at the minute. Started trying to handle and tame them gradually. Sparrow is getting there but Poe - anytime I even go to change the water in the cage he makes that raspy-squealing noise. Even going near the cage sets him off. Bit concerned as I've never had a hamster so distressed before. I'm also wanting to get a hold of him to double check the sex of him, they said in Pets at Home they were both male but want to double check.

Of course my mind is racing ahead and thinking maybe he's actually a she and pregnant with her brothers litter. He smells quite strongly too which I haven't had before - usually my hybrids smell a bit like popcorn. Wondering if maybe a check up at the vet might be in order.

cypher · 09-10-2014, 09:35 AM

I have a hybrid who was like that to begin with it took quite a long time to get his confidence & I think that's going to be a bit difficult with two in the cage together.
Have you tried putting Poe in a glass jar or something so you can try to determine his (hopefully) sex without scaring him too much.

Pilgrim77 · 09-10-2014, 09:54 AM

I'll give that a go thanks, i've had him out in a travelling box thing I have on hand for the vets (seen in pic above) but now he just goes nuts and does everything to escape and is really noisy so wary of pushing him. The 2 of them seem to be getting along with each other ok at least but debating whether they'd be more settled on their own...

Thanks for replying!