Your hamster's new home

Step 2 Cheap land

While I searched for information on how to care for these cute little things, I found that many people make their own cages, mostly from plastic storage boxes. This is a very good idea!

Unfortunately I made the house before thinking on making an instructable, so I don't have detailed pictures of the whole process.

For the cage I used:
- Original hamster cage
- Bolts, nuts and washers
- 42 L Plastic storage box
- Plastic mesh

Tools:
- Dremel with cutter disc / or Hot knife
- X-Acto
- Sandpaper
- Permanent marker
- Drill
- Hot glue

First you need to fix the bolts in the wire cage. Then you measure the door and mark it in the side of the plastic box.
Cut the side of the plastic box with the dremel/hot knife.
Drill the holes for the bolts in the correct place.
Join the cage to the plastic box and fix it with nuts.

If you noticed, there is a small wall separating the cage and box, despite the hamster being able to climb it, I made a small ramp from two small pieces of wood.

I also cut the box lid and placed some plastic mesh with hot glue. This way I can see through the roof and the air flow of the box is improved.

Comments

[YawningDog]

Some common plastic storage boxes can smell kind of bad, and can outgas for a long time, so just be sure to check that first when choosing what kind to use. If you can smell the faintest hint of plastic or other synthetic smell (even after washing the box), the rodents will be able to smell it much more strongly. One good way to test the strength of the plastic smell is to leave it shut in a closet or cabinet for a day or so, then open the door and take a whiff. No smell? Good to use. :)

Also, some kinds of plastic tend to absorb and hold on to pee smells -- usually the softer, more flexible plastics. But then, those are the plastics that tend to smell the worst on their own anyway.

[lukesthomas]

That looks just like mine! Mine is a winter white.