best type of play pen for a syrain

[Matty Day]

Can anyone tell me the best type of playpen for a Syrian? As I am doing a massive hamster shop soon. And was hopping to get everything at the same time. I get the cages for my current litters separation.
Currently I use vhs tapes for my Chinese but I know these wont be any good for Syrians

[souffle]

They just spend all their time trying to get out of playpens matty. Supervised play in a ham proof room, in the bed or on a sofa is best but if you want a pen it would need to be either in the bath or a large deep plastic bin I'd say. Lots of people use the hamster balls. I think the Pennine ones from Wilkos are good and strong.

[Matty Day]

I think ill get a plastic tub from wilkos I Am not good with balls I end up leavening them every were .and sitting on them etc.

and I cant hamster proof my room as I have a lot of stuff and lots of space for a hamster to hide in particularly . when I am studying i leave papers every were that’s why I like pens I can control were they go

[sarahh]

Hi Matty we bought a playpen oncee for our hams and they all got out of it. Maybe playing with your ham on the sofa or like a hamster proof room would be better. I used to let mine run round the bathroom floor.

We also use the hamster balls from Wilkinsons as they are good value for money and are strong. I don't think there is any point paying out for hammy balls that are £5.99 just for them to get broken. Our hammy balls from Wilkos last ages.

Sarah x

[Gust0o]

You might also consider the Harry Hamster playpens, examples of which can normally be found on eBay - they're segmented, cardboard, castles, which seem to promise no-end of fun to your average hamster!

They're just dividers, mind, and would need a suitable surface to sit on.

Failing that, I feel you might be heading in the right direction with your bin suggestion.

[Holly]

I think the best playpen for a Syrian is a (human) bath!

You can stick loads of toys in, it's escape proof and it's easy to rinse down afterwards

[Yaffle]

I bought a hamster play pen and it was useless, they can all climb over the top of it! I don't think you can go wrong with a hamster ball if you can't hamster proof a room.

I like the bath idea though

[Leon]

I guess I must be lucky then - I have two playpens (brand is Prevue Hendryx, they are multi-coloured) which I connect together to make a huge runaround area for my Syrian, and he's never managed (or even really tried) to get out of it. I wouldn't leave him in the room on his own though - I also have lots of places he could hide and wires he could chew. He also likes the bath though.

[arlev]

Originally Posted by Matty Day

Can anyone tell me the best type of playpen for a Syrian?

We used an interlocking compound for our first hamster that was very easily put together and removed. It consists of lengths of hardboard that can be cut for you at any timber merchants and a joint can be made easily by you at each end to slot them together.

It's best some other hardboard to stand the 'walls' on and, although we made the side 18 inches high, I think 24 inches high would be better (as he escaped once!). Toys, puzzles and toys can then be scattered variously about the pen (a bit like a hamster assault course).

I have some pictures of the compound but I haven't a clue how to load them here (newbie). Do I have to put them on a web site and link to them?

[Holly]

Originally Posted by arlev

Yes - put them on Photobucket or simillar and link them to here - we'd love to see them