please give me some creative criticism on my bin cage

[robolover]

I'm 12 and this is my first hamster he is a roboroski called Cthulhu and the cage ahs around 950 square inches of floor space

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hello Robolover and welcome to the forum. Cthulhu is so cute!

Are they three bins connected?

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome Your robo is gorgeous and looks very healthy. There is actually a 13 year old age limit for members on here, so you'll need to ask a parent to post for you. The main thing to look at is ventilation. Holes on top aren't really enough and the top needs to be meshed.

He looks to have plenty to do in his cage, but Robos like a lot of things to dive into and under, so maybe a few more floor toys - cardboard boxes and tubes etc And as long as he has plenty of substrate, he'll be happy, so he can dig. Robos love digging tunnels. Does he have a wheel? I can't tell from the photo.

 

[robolover]

Hello Robolover and welcome to the forum. Cthulhu is so cute!

Are they three bins connected?

no there are only two bins the one I think you are seeing are just being used to prop it up

 

[robolover]

Hello and welcome Your robo is gorgeous and looks very healthy. There is actually a 13 year old age limit for members on here, so you'll need to ask a parent to post for you. The main thing to look at is ventilation. Holes on top aren't really enough and the top needs to be meshed.

He looks to have plenty to do in his cage, but Robos like a lot of things to dive into and under, so maybe a few more floor toys - cardboard boxes and tubes etc And as long as he has plenty of substrate, he'll be happy, so he can dig. Robos love digging tunnels. Does he have a wheel? I can't tell from the photo.

Hi Maz,

This is Robolover's mum.
Thanks for the tips, I'll make sure to buy some mesh for the top later today (the holes in the wire we bought originally for this DIY enclosure were way too big). There are holes drilled in the sides of the bin too, but I appreciate that a mesh top would be better.
He does have a wheel.

 

[robolover]

in the far left of the image with the tall storage bin there is a purple tube giving ventilation to the wide bin

 

[Maz]

Hi there It can be fiddly cutting the top out to mesh. Most people get 1cm squared mesh and the diy store will usually cut it to size for you if you ask. He looks to have plenty of space and plenty to do. The main thing is a wheel, plenty of substrate and a few floor items for variety and for cover - which you have. If you did want to add something else at some point then a platform in the deeper bin could be an idea. Just a piece of wood on legs - you can buy them or make them. It's somewhere else for them to go and something to sit under. It's also a good place to put a food bowl so it doesn't tip over in the substrate. But then it needs some kind of ramp to get up to the platform. But no rush . It's best not to make any changes for the first couple of weeks while they are settling in and building confidence.

I know 12 is nearly 13 but - thanks! Sorry - I know 12 year olds like to do their own stuff these days.

 

[Maz]

in the far left of the image with the tall storage bin there is a purple tube giving ventilation to the wide bin

Ah yes, I can see they are connected by a tube Ideally both bins would have meshed lids. It's just hamsters are very prone to respiratory issues hence needing really good ventilation. One of our members has made a few bin cages for rescue hamsters so I'll link that thread below to give you an idea of what hers look like. You can use coloured masking tape on the outside to cover the mesh edges which can add a bit of fun to the look of it sometimes.

One of the bins is on this thread

Show us your cages 2022

Hamster Heaven without external tubes and shelves set up for a Roborovski hamster.

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Maz]

I think Beryl uses a drimmel to cut the panel out of the bin lid. Some people just use a hot knife. I am hopeless at diy so will let someone else comment on ways to cut bin lids further, but have seen people just use a heated up knife.

 

[Maz]

I can see a wheel behind the bin?! Or maybe that's just a reflection. Sorry if I'm mistaken - the wheel needs to be in the cage all the time anyway. There are some nice things for him in there - a digging box/sand bath, plenty of tunnels and a nice carrot topped house and bendy stick bridge. So he has places to dive into and sit under which is good.

 

[Maz]

I'm addressing both you and robolover by the way . It's tricky at 12 as it's not like a young child with a parent opening an account but it's just part of the terms and conditions that it needs to be over 13. I understand that will be the case soon!

 

[Maz]

There's an example here about meshing a lid - in this example they score the lid first and then use scissors. That maybe depends how thick the plastic is as to whether you can use scissors or it might need something like a stanley knife. They show attaching it with cable ties but it can be better to have the mesh edges on the outside (so no sharp edges inside) and cover the edges with masking tape to cover over the edges and secure the mesh.

How to Make a Hamster Bin Cage: 14 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Measure and cut a rectangle from the lid of a large plastic pin. Drill holes around the perimeter of this hole, and use zip ties to secure a piece of wire mesh over the rectangular opening. If you construct the hamster's habitat properly...

www.wikihow.com

 

[robolover]

Hi there It can be fiddly cutting the top out to mesh. Most people get 1cm squared mesh and the diy store will usually cut it to size for you if you ask. He looks to have plenty of space and plenty to do. The main thing is a wheel, plenty of substrate and a few floor items for variety and for cover - which you have. If you did want to add something else at some point then a platform in the deeper bin could be an idea. Just a piece of wood on legs - you can buy them or make them. It's somewhere else for them to go and something to sit under. It's also a good plate to put a food bowl so it doesn't tip over in the substrate. But then it needs some kind of ramp to get up to the platform. But no rush . It's best not to make any changes for the first couple of weeks while they are settling in and building confidence.

I know 12 is nearly 13 but - thanks! Sorry - I know 12 year olds like to do their own stuff these days.

there is a 6 inch wheel in the tall storage bin

I'm addressing both you and robolover by the way . It's tricky at 12 as it's not like a young child with a parent opening an account but it's just part of the terms and conditions that it needs to be over 13. I understand that will be the case soon!

Thanks Maz,

Yes I get that rules are rules and I am happy to comment on his behalf until he's 13.

Thanks for all the info and the thread links.

We originally had a cage recommended by the pet shop, but it was too small. We took the main hidey bit (which has a water bottle, wheel and food bowl all fitted) and put it into the deeper bin, so he does have food, water and a wheel at all times. We also a bigger wheel which will go in at a later date when we 'upgrade'

Thanks again,

Robomum

 

[Maz]

You're welcome. I recognise the green shelter from one of the smaller cages. If you wanted to put the larger wheel in, you could maybe take the green shelter out to make more space for the wheel and just have deeper substrate in that part of the bin or add a shoebox house - he might just make a burrow for a nest then. But maybe not straight away if he's just settling in. A wheel needs to be 6.5" or larger. You can't really go too large but you can go too small. As a temporary thing a 6" one will be ok though

 

[Maz]

If you are thinking of upgrading at some point - to one larger bin - there's a really good sized 100cm one we have linked on here, at Asda. It can be easier longer term to have one larger one than two connected ones, but he has plenty of space for now.

Really Useful Clear Large Plastic Trunk - 160L | Home | George at ASDA

Heavy duty storage trunk for storing power tools, garden tools, garden storage, cushions and toys. Long ergonomic flip up handleand large wheels for transpor...

direct.asda.com

 

[Maz]

This is Beryl's piece on how to mesh a bin cage lid This is using power tools but it's possible to do without power tools (just a bit harder work).

How i mesh a bin cage lid

Please note: only use power tools when confident and able to do so. 1. Cut mesh to required size. I use a wire cutter.

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Maz]

Just to add - many of us on here have had the same thing with a first hamster - bought a cage and found it too small. Our first hamster was in a 3 tier rotostak cage - got cage rage and then stuck in a tube. It's a shame pet shops don't give you better information. The small cages can be useful for a pet carrier sometimes though! If you need to go to the vet. Or as a temporary place for the hamster if you need to do a bit of cleaning in the cage. Although have a look at the cage cleaning article on the home page - it's not necessary to do very often - too much cleaning out causes a lot of stress - you can spot clean mainly.