Chubbs' cage makeover

[jendanger]

obviously, it was payday! I got rid of all the boring brown bedding that Chubbs cage came with and went full on colour lol so I got the regular paper bedding stuff but also got a thinner kind for something different. I got my coconut fiber dirt finally too! It's the same brand as the sand- the zoo one for reptiles so I'm pretty sure that checks out. He's never come out to see me when I've been cleaning his cage aside from grabbing a veggie from my hand but he must be happy because he came out and roamed all over as I moved stuff around so that made me happy! He wasn't much into burrowing really in the old material but he really digs into this stuff! He hasn't been digging in the coconut dirt yet but I'm sure he will get in there tonight. I need to get a bigger cage for all his stuff! The sand bath is huge! He sleeps in the hidey beneath the water bottle for whatever reason, that's his favourite! He was not impressed with me moving his Whimzee whatsoever and huffed away with it hahaha his new food should be arriving next week so that will be good because he doesn't touch half of the ingredients of this one unfortunately. I also have a tall kind of platform as well coming in the mail so that might help keep the bottom part of his cage a little less cluttered. I bought some freeze-dried meal worms and I was mildly disgusted that he likes them but also happy! Got lots of photos of the little tubber finally!

 

[jendanger]

Oh no! So I didn't research this enough and I cleAned up little Chubbs hoard of goodies in his hidey nest he had going! I have since added some of the old bedding to the cage so it still smells familiar a little bit and hope he forgives me! Anyhow, I will make sure I read up next time I decide to re-do his cage!

 

[Socks' Mum]

He has such lovely cage set up! His little tail sticking out as he burrows is so cute! He looks very happy!

 

[Maz]

He’s so cute Just add a handful of new food near where his old one used to be

 

[RainbowBrite]

Chubs is going to really love all the enrichment you have added. Coco fibre is so much fun for hamsters to dig in. With the bendy bridge divider, if there are any gaps it is best to glue bedding into them just to avoid a tiny nail being caught. Just thought I would mention that.

 

[Frida]

Chubbs looks very happy

 

[jendanger]

Chubs is going to really love all the enrichment you have added. Coco fibre is so much fun for hamsters to dig in. With the bendy bridge divider, if there are any gaps it is best to glue bedding into them just to avoid a tiny nail being caught. Just thought I would mention that.

Sorry for the late reply! Is there something more I could do to encourage burrowing? He did some as I was cleaning and setting in the new bedding but otherwise he doesn't seem to ever do any burrowing or digging aside from in his sand maybe I need to add more bedding? I'm still keeping an eye out for a longer aquarium because with I'll of his hides, sand bath, water bottle and wheel, there isn't a ton of room otherwise.... the new hazel hamster food came in the other day and he goes mad for it so that's awesome!

 

[jendanger]

Chubbs looks very happy

I think he is! Gotta get a longer cage for all his stuff!

 

[jendanger]

He’s so cute Just add a handful of new food near where his old one used to be

I believe I am forgiven now! Lol his new hazel hamster food came in and he eats pretty much all of it! The other food was going to waste as he hated the pellets.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Great that he is eating well on the Hazel Hamster food

 

[jendanger]

Great that he is eating well on the Hazel Hamster food

Yes! I'm very happy about that! I got 2 pounds for 22 dollars on Amazon but I'm trying to find it here somewhere at the pet store. Haven't had any luck at PetSmart or pet valu but I'm going to try Petland next.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Sorry for the late reply! Is there something more I could do to encourage burrowing? He did some as I was cleaning and setting in the new bedding but otherwise he doesn't seem to ever do any burrowing or digging aside from in his sand maybe I need to add more bedding? I'm still keeping an eye out for a longer aquarium because with I'll of his hides, sand bath, water bottle and wheel, there isn't a ton of room otherwise.... the new hazel hamster food came in the other day and he goes mad for it so that's awesome!

Aw, lovely he is enjoying the new food.

Adding bedding is always fun for hamsters. How much do you have right now? 10inches is a nice amount. I do not know what size your tank is but bigger is always exciting for a hamster.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I have just had another look at the photos and think I can see why he is not burrowing. A Syrian hamster is about 6 inches long and they need bedding deeper then they are in order to encourage them to dig. You have a 60 gallon tank but the recommended minimum tank size is 100cm by 50cm which would be about 75 gallons so if you could look out for one that size it would enable you to add all the things you wanted to. They are often on the classified ads so you may be able to find a bargain especially as some may not be water tight and they would be sold cheaply.

I personally find setting up hamster enclosures really difficult and it is something I always need advice and help with. They are not easy to get right so please do not take anything I have said personally. I just thought you may find it helpful.

 

[jendanger]

I have just had another look at the photos and think I can see why he is not burrowing. A Syrian hamster is about 6 inches long and they need bedding deeper then they are in order to encourage them to dig. You have a 60 gallon tank but the recommended minimum tank size is 100cm by 50cm which would be about 75 gallons so if you could look out for one that size it would enable you to add all the things you wanted to. They are often on the classified ads so you may be able to find a bargain especially as some may not be water tight and they would be sold cheaply.

I personally find setting up hamster enclosures really difficult and it is something I always need advice and help with. They are not easy to get right so please do not take anything I have said personally. I just thought you may find it helpful.

Thank you! I changed one end of the cage so it's really deep and that should help I hope for now! There's a nice Ikea cage on the classified and I'm hoping it stays on there for a bit. It's $120 and it's the Ikea glass display case on its side. Looks nice and long so I could make more of a cage for him and spread it all out nicely. I'll put up a picture of what I've done for now at least. And also saw a big beautiful moose on my road so pretty. I would imagine it's just been born this past spring, not full grown yet, I wouldn't say. I'd seen some tracks in the yard but couldn't tell if it it was a leaping bobcat or a strolling moose! Hahaha it's pretty cool to live on a quiet road. The Coyotes were out yesterday but unfortunately they were a ways away and took off when my big work truck came out of the drive!

 

[jendanger]

Here's the cage I'm hoping to pick up if no one gets it before me! It's a couple of hours from me but I'm hoping I can swing around and get it after I push all the snow tomorrow! 5-10cm overnight!

 

[Maz]

It’s a detolf . Does it come with a lid? Usually people have made a wood framed mesh lid. It does seem quite expensive for a second hand one - they used to cost about $70 new. But if it has a lid that may add to it’s value.

 

[jendanger]

Oh I'll ask them if they get back to me. Everything is so stupid expensive these days. Can't win anywhere lol

 

[Socks' Mum]

You live in an amazing place! Good luck with the new cage!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Wow, a moose!

I personally would not buy a Detolf because its narrow and short and it will be difficult to fit a Syrian size wheel in. A 75 gallon tank, Ikea plasa or ikea pax would be more suitable.

 

[Maz]

Thank you so much for posting the Moose photo! A detolf is a reasonable upgrade - if they've made a lid. If they're just using it open or with the glass door for a lid then it either wouldn't be secure or it wouldn't have enough ventilation. It's annoying Ikea have stopped selling them as you could have got a new one cheaper. I don't know what it's like in Canada, but in the US there are sometimes dollar per gallon sales so a tank can work out cheaper.