Bucatstate 2.0 or Savic 100??

[Hammy Chum]

Hello! I've been new to the forum and had some amazing advice so far!

We've had Chum for just over 3 weeks and he's in a PAH Habitat 2 cage but want to upgrade as soon as possible. (pic below for cuteness)
(he has lots more bedding now on top of shavings!)



I have narrowed it to the below two choices I think but super interested to hear from anyone whos had either or both? I've read @Maz really helpful reviews too.

They're pretty much the same size (aside from if we could manage savic 120 but dont think so) so its really more design etc??

The Bucatstate 2.0 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/BUCATSTATE...3fe-a629-901081cd413c&pd_rd_i=B0C2CTPCY6&th=1)

The Savic 100 https://www.petsathome.com/product/...Id=7128440&purchaseType=one-time&size=oneSize
(I'm trying to see if I could fit savic 120 but same qs apply)

PROS OF BUCATSTATE

Like the design and white frame more
Top and Front opening (can clean from top and lots easier to get him out etc??)
Deeper bedding?
Could maybe see him digging around more from all angles

CONS
Cost (£164)
Is all perspex going to limit interactions? - would it feel a bit like he's in a museum? (haha!)


PROS OF SAVIC 100

He's used to wired cage currently and loves sniffing us through bars so less change for him. I've seen some people dont like barred cages but he seems to really like this, coming and showing us things and taking a treat?
Things like wheel can be attached to bars for security (getting big new wheel today)
Cost! (£64 - 20% off currently)

CONS

Only Front opening (harder to clean - will have to lift whole frame off like now?) (I know savic 120 does have a small top opening)
Less bedding (can add screens at back)
Not as keen on black design (minor I know, I've come to realise what Chum wants chum gets and my design choices have to take a back seat haha)

--

(note - I already have all suitable accessories for him so prob wouldnt use any accessories provided in either set)

 

[Maz]

Your reasons and pros and cons are mostly the same as mine Although just because you can see through the perspex, doesn't always mean you can see what the hamster is doing underground - if they do it in the middle of the cage away from the sides! Some people use those peep tunnel things on the base at the front and you can see a hamster going down that, but they might nest somewhere else.

I had to laugh at the comment about would it be like he's in a museum Because I haven't heard it described like that, but it is spot on to my feelings. That there are "walls" between you and the hamster. But maybe that is just because I'm used to using cages.

They are both good cages, and it might come down to what you prefer and what will fit in your home.

As for cleaning with the Plaza. No you don't need to take the top bars off. I never do. I do everything through the front door. It's really quite a large front door.

There is no right or wrong here. Some people prefer the Bucatstate, some prefer barred cages because of the sense of closeness with the hamsters - them sniffing and taking treats. Those with tanks seem perfectly happy - and you can still watch them and they may still come to the door when it's opened.

Nothing is ever perfect!

You can get 9" of bedding in the Bucatstate before the sides may bow or pop out at the bottom. But it costs £160 (I thought it was £180? - is it the Bucatstate 2 or 3 you're looking at?). But you don't need to worry about bedding panels. The Plaza is £80 and holds 6" of bedding. If you get the perspex bedding panels to fit round it, those cost about £80 and they end up being about the same price then. Been through this myself! I got the perspex bedding panels because I already had the plaza cage

The tank style bucatstate, you would need to get maybe two or three platforms for things to stand on. Wheel, sand bath etc. The Plaza you may still need a platform (not all of them fit) or a shelf to fit the plaza. I have never used the green shelf it comes with as I find it restricts the set up - eg where to put house and wheel. But some people do and it makes it a less expensive option then. I did have a wood shelf made to fit my plaza which cost about £15. Places on ebay will just cut one to your measurements and supply the fixings. But the cloud platforms look nicer and don't take up as much space.

I think you would be happy with either cage The Plaza works best sat on a cupboard or chest of drawers, with the front door at waist height - theh it's easy to clean out through the door. If it was on the floor it would be difficult to reach into!

The Plaza 120 is really big! It's not just the extra length it is much deeper as well. It does take up a lot of space. I did find I could get virtually the whole top half of my body through the front door with that! Because it was deeper so further to reach in. But because I had the cage at waist height, the top door wasn't really reachable. It was useful when setting up though, so you could have one hand from the top nearer the back of the cage - eg fixing a wheel to the bars. It meant I could do everything myself without having to ask someone else to hold something while I screwed things in at the back.

Others may come along with their views. I have never used the Bucatstate. I do like the Plaza cages for many reasons but maybe because I'm used to them. I did use a glass tank once before, which only had top access, and I couldn't get on with it. I like front access and seeing the hamster come to the door.

The Bucatstate does have front access, but the door is higher up. So it would be further to reach down. You would probably need to do any spot cleaning or cleaning from the top.

Bear in mind that with 8" of bedding or more, you wouldn't need to clean very often at all - it could be just spot cleaning only for 4 to 6 months. Most of the cage would stay clean and dry. Then when you did do a substrate change, you could do one half of the cage at a time.

My Pros for the Plaza:

1) It's pretty escape-proof
2) It's solid - nothing to break or fall off really, once it's constructed
3) You don't need to ever lift the top bars off. Unless you need to dismantle it for some reason (usually only after a hamster has passed)
4) I like the large front door and seeing the hamster through the open door. Most don't try and jump out - they will come to the door if they want to come out.
5) I can attach things to the bars if wanted.
6) The shape of the base means it fits on top of most pieces of furniture as it has a smaller footprint at the bottom.
7) I like having a wheel attached to the bars to have it whatever height or position I want - but not that many wheels attach to the bars these days.
8) They last a long time - only had one get rusty bars after a number of years and being disinfected a few times.

Minor cons

1) The base slopes - more fiddly to fit house legs and platforms in but it's not that bad. You're just restricted to what platforms you use. Or use shelves.
2) It can be slightly awkward to reach into back corners through the front door, but not that bad and doesn't need doing very often.
3) It's a fiddle fitting bedding panels (whether perspex or cardboard or grass mats) but once it's done it's done - a one off job.

But to me they aren't really cons, just minor fiddly things and no cage is perfect.


For the Bucatstate (bearing in mind I haven't used one).

Pros

1) It is square/oblong without a sloping base. Easier to fit house legs and platforms
2) It looks nice
3) It has a front opening door and the top lifts up if you want (some people stack them and then they can only use the front door).
4) It might be easier to clean after a hamster has passed if it doesn't need taking apart (I'm not sure on that one)

Cons (to me)

1) Some people complain the front door is flimsy, latches break or the hamster chews them (this might have improved with the later model)
2) You are limited to 9" of bedding - I've had 11" in a plaza before, with perspex panels - when I wanted to use it for a dwarf hamster - it reduced the height of the cage having 11" of bedding.
3) I'm not sure how long lasting it would be. Whether things would break or fail.


So I would think about where you would have the cage. A tank style on the floor would take up floor space. But they do look nice.

I think to me, a Plaza is easier to manage. But then I don't like bending for various reason! It's easier to do things at waist height. And I like the fact the hamster smells through the bars etc and feels more part of your environment. More open space. On the other hand an enclosed tank style is less draughty but I've never had an issue with draughts really.

I'd be interested to know from someone with a Bucatstate - if you get dust or condensation on the perspex and if that needs wiping a lot.

£64 for the Plaza! Sounds like a bargain! Just checked on PAH and it's a great bargain at 20% off! If you did get 14cm perspex bedding panels, they cost about £80. So the total would be about £144 then.

What is really annoying about that is I just bought another plaza at full price about 2 weeks ago Maybe I should send it back and get another one - I haven't opened the box yet.

They are not easy decisions because it's a lot of money and needs to work for you. Tank style cages do seem more popular these days and they do look nice and arguably may be easier to set up (but need more platforms I think).

I think for Syrians though, I prefer barred cages - but that is my preference - others will have their preferences and reasons.

 

[Maz]

Is anyone currently using the Bucatstate who can comment? @clacombe @thespiffingbrit ?

 

[Maz]

I think the main thing is that the hamster has more space You would probably be happy with either. Which maybe doesn't help much

Also there are two versions of the 100cm Bucatstate. The Bucatstate 2 and the Bucatstate 3. The 3 being the newest version.

On amazon, the 2 is currently £169 and the 3 is £209.99.

There is also a 120cm Bucatstate 3 which is very large and costs £237.49.

So the 2 is a better price. I am not sure exactly what has changed, apart from the top lid, which on the 3, now has two top opening lids instead of one big one.

 

[Maz]

These are the Viking laser perspex bedding panels - if you haven't seen them. When attached you have silver nuts showing on the outside, so it's not as glamorous as the Bucatstate. But it still looks nice with perspex and stops bedding falling out, so you can have 8" of bedding in most of the cage. Although as mentioned, some people just use grass matts or cardboard tied inside the bars to save cost.

Savic Plaza 100 Draught/Bar Biting/Deep Bedding Cage Screens - Viking Laser

Customise your Savic Plaza 100 with these acrylic cage screens, suitable for stopping draughts, bar biting or for creating deep bedding areas.

www.vikinglaser.co.uk

They also make full perspex panels - which you use instead of the bars. Then it basically becomes a tank. I'm not sure there's much advantage to doing this rather than just getting a perspex tank like the bucatstate - unless you want it to sit on a cupboard or chest of drawers maybe. You then don't get bars obviously.'

It looks really nice but I decided I preferred the bars and bedding panels To have a bit of the best of both worlds.

Savic Plaza 100 Complete Cage Screens - Viking Laser

Transform your Savic Plaza 100 with crystal clear acrylic complete cage screens. Replace the bars on your Plaza with almost invisible screens.

www.vikinglaser.co.uk

 

[clacombe]

Is anyone currently using the Bucatstate who can comment? @clacombe @thespiffingbrit ?

Nope! We got a big Niteangel a few years ago, and it's held up so well I can't justify replacing it even though there are some great new cages to try.

 

[Socks Mum]

I found bar climbing could be a problem as hamsters aren't good at climbing and when they get tired, just let go and drop. If there is anything hard below, it could possibly hurt them. I like the Viking Lazer perspex panels. They are very well made and allow a lot of bedding without bowing.

 

[Hammy Chum]

Thabnk you everyone! I'm leaning towards the savic 100 I think, perhaps with a screen or some panels. Will keep you updated!

 

[Hammy Chum]

I think the main thing is that the hamster has more space You would probably be happy with either. Which maybe doesn't help much

Also there are two versions of the 100cm Bucatstate. The Bucatstate 2 and the Bucatstate 3. The 3 being the newest version.

On amazon, the 2 is currently £169 and the 3 is £209.99.

There is also a 120cm Bucatstate 3 which is very large and costs £237.49.

So the 2 is a better price. I am not sure exactly what has changed, apart from the top lid, which on the 3, now has two top opening lids instead of one big one.

I think was the 2 as it was £169 i think. But I'm edging towards the savic I think especially with the cost difference.

 

[Tulsi]

I love having bars on a cage (I have the new omlet one) as I like the hamster to be able to sniff the air. I also like a big opening front door. If I didnt have the omlet cage I would go for one of the plazas.

Good luck!

 

[Hammy Chum]

I have a question for when it all arrives. I've ordered the new Henry corner chamber house and stilts, plus a base for his new trixie wheel (seems quite unstable otherwise?? which is going to go straight in new cage - I'm pretty much going to have to dismantle the current one to get it in). Going to see about maybe getting cage today.

Obviously I will add in his old things like his coconut hideout (he's obsessed with it), his tubes and climbing brick etc and mix in some old bedding etc. But he'll have new wheel and some extras.

Main Q is the nest (Henry house). Do I use that straight away and have it all new and have him just go cold turkey? Or do I put his old small corner nest hut in for familiarity and them swap out later? I'm edging towards all new with lots of familiar bedding / nest stuffing etc as I know the 3 chamber house is better?

 

[Socks Mum]

I would go with the familiar bedding, new house option myself. Taking over his favourite things should help a great deal. Setting up things in the same places if possible could help as well. Good luck with moving day

 

[Socks Mum]

I love having bars on a cage (I have the new omlet one) as I like the hamster to be able to sniff the air. I also like a big opening front door. If I didnt have the omlet cage I would go for one of the plazas.

Good luck!

I've got the Omlet too. I think the Plaza with Viking Lazer panels is probably slightly better and possibly more secure escape wise, although the Omlet is fine.

 

[Maz]

I'd go with using the new house but putting his old nest and any hoard inside it. But there are some specific recommendations for a cage move

A cage change can be very stressful for a hamster so to minimise the stress, these things really help them settle quickly and not get stressed out.

The main thing is - don't clean anything when you move things over. It's tempting to want to clean things first but it is much better not to.

So you move ALL the old bedding across. As the new cage is bigger, you would fill it with new bedding first - but then add all the old bedding on top of it - spread it on top. If there isn't enough then have most of it near his house and wheel area.

Move his nest and hoard across - even if it's a bit smelly. It'll be fine for two weeks. It's ok to spot clean the pee out first but otherwise, move all the nest and bedding from inside his house, into the new house. And his hoard as well.

Don't clean any other items - everything will be fine for a couple of weeks.

It also helps to set the cage up with a similar layout to the current one. Eg if the house is back left, put that in the same position and any other items in the same position, as much as possible. It's not always possible to have everything in exactly the same position, but you get the picture.

The reason this helps is because of scent and scent marking. Everything will still have his familiar scent - which he can smell but we can't. So it will still feel like his home. They also scent mark items in their cage which helps them have a familiar route to find their way around - as they don't see very well!

Then you don't clean anything for two weeks after the move as they need the two weeks settling in time again to avoid stressing them out.

If you have a litter tray inside the new house (which has a lift off roof) you could maybe lift the house roof after a week and see if he's used the litter tray - if he has you could empty it out. Then leave it another week. But really no harm will be done if things are left for two weeks and he may chuck his old smelly bedding out again anyway.

The other thing is, that can really help them settle, is to have a transition day - if you can. A transition day is settng the new cage up with some new bedding and any new items you're going to use, and just let him have a play in it for a while. Even if he likes it, it's better to then pop him back in his old cage overnight. And then move him in the next day after moving everything across. This is what I do and I found they can settle in in just a few days usually whereas a cold turkey move can make them really quite stressed.

When you say you got a stand for the trixie wheel - which one is it? Some stands don't fit very well in barred cages

Is it this house? If so I would put the nest in the room furthest away from the door as that is where he is most likely to sleep. If it doesn't have the hole on top. If it's the one with the hole on top then you could try putting his nest in the middle room which will be darker

Don't be suprised if he stuffs the entrances up with bedding - they do that to keep the light out!

Corner Hamster Chamber House - Formaldehyde Free, Non Toxic, Wooden, Slot Togeth | Happy Henry’s Homes

Modular & Robust, self assembly item- Made from robust materials- Assembled without glue or nails- Flat packed to save on packaging materials- Modular, allowing you to change the design to suit your requirements- Chambers can be changed into two main configurations- Removeable roof for checking...

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

 

[Maz]

A corner toilet doesn't fit in those houses, except the dwarf sized rodipet one, so I'd suggest putting one next to the house

What size legs did you got for? I once got the 6" legs when I had 6" of bedding and found there was a bit of a gap! But I just piled the substrate up round the gap. 6" is a good height though, because even if you have 8" of bedding, it still works - the house is just partially set down in the bedding then.

As for his old house - I would leave it out and put the new house in the same position to where the old house was. The important thing is that the bedding and nest from his old house are in the new one. If you put the old house in as well he may be a bit confused and not be able to decide where to sleep. Or just go back into his old house and move his bedding back into it! If there's only the one house, then they use it As long as it's in the same place.

Actually it can be quite slow delivery time from Happy Henry Homes - I forgot to mention that! I've waited a couple of weeks sometimes.

 

[Hammy Chum]

A corner toilet doesn't fit in those houses, except the dwarf sized rodipet one, so I'd suggest putting one next to the house

What size legs did you got for? I once got the 6" legs when I had 6" of bedding and found there was a bit of a gap! But I just piled the substrate up round the gap. 6" is a good height though, because even if you have 8" of bedding, it still works - the house is just partially set down in the bedding then.

As for his old house - I would leave it out and put the new house in the same position to where the old house was. The important thing is that the bedding and nest from his old house are in the new one. If you put the old house in as well he may be a bit confused and not be able to decide where to sleep. Or just go back into his old house and move his bedding back into it! If there's only the one house, then they use it As long as it's in the same place.

Actually it can be quite slow delivery time from Happy Henry Homes - I forgot to mention that! I've waited a couple of weeks sometimes.

A corner toilet doesn't fit in those houses, except the dwarf sized rodipet one, so I'd suggest putting one next to the house

What size legs did you got for? I once got the 6" legs when I had 6" of bedding and found there was a bit of a gap! But I just piled the substrate up round the gap. 6" is a good height though, because even if you have 8" of bedding, it still works - the house is just partially set down in the bedding then.

As for his old house - I would leave it out and put the new house in the same position to where the old house was. The important thing is that the bedding and nest from his old house are in the new one. If you put the old house in as well he may be a bit confused and not be able to decide where to sleep. Or just go back into his old house and move his bedding back into it! If there's only the one house, then they use it As long as it's in the same place.

Actually it can be quite slow delivery time from Happy Henry Homes - I forgot to mention that! I've waited a couple of weeks someti

The legs are 20cm so 8 inches on the chamber home (yes it is that one - I like the corner ones!). It does have the hole on top! His house is in the back left now so will keep it there in new cage for sure.

The platform is this one - https://www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk/...rectangular-platforms-only-not-including-legs - with same legs. Measured it against the base of the wheel so hope will be ok?

Ok yes will definitely use new house... hopefully wont be too long in delivery!!

He's seemed pretty ok with changes so far (including 3 nest cleans / checks) so I'm really hoping he'll be ok... I keep thinking we only have to do it once then he can properly start relaxing into his forever home.

And yes he stuffs up his current nest entrance too. He forgot once and fell asleep with his little bum sticking out which was cute but usually he heads in and then blocks it all up!

Hoping to get the savic 100 next weekend.

 

[Maz]

You might want to think about changing the platform for this one possibly. These have the legs at different angles so they can sit up to the edge of the cage. It will be big enough for a wheel base to sit on. The problem with all the others is the platform will stick out quite a long way into the cage, with a big gap behind it, because of the curved cage base. That maybe doesn't matter though The legs at the corners have to sit beyond the curved base part - so the wheel might end up almost in the middle of the cage. But that maybe doesn't really matter

Hamster Cloud Platform 300mm x 200mm with Solid Birch Legs | Happy Henry’s Homes

Hamster Cloud Platform with Solid Birch Legs Description:Hamster Platform with 4 supporting legs. Legs come complete with brass threaded inserts for stainless steel screw fixings to fix the platform and legs to one another.

www.happyhenryshomes.co.uk

If you do decide to change the platform (up to you) then you can just email him and say you want to change x platform for y platform with the same length legs.

In fact even if you don't change the platform, I'd suggest you send him a friendly email anyway and say is it at all possible you could have these urgently. Because he can be REALLY slow with delivery - 2 to 4 weeks sometimes. If you ask for it urgently you may get them in less than two weeks!

He's a one man band and makes everything himself I think.

Also if the platform and wheel are right up against the edge of the cage, you can tie the wheel stand to the bars as well - just so it doesn't get knocked over.

However that long platform is really nice! And you could put other things on it too. So an alternative to help the wheel not being knocked over is to put something heavy, like a tile, on the wheel stand base part so it can't move.

It all sounds really exciting! I can't wait to see his new set up once you have everything

 

[Hammy Chum]

Yeah I was just paranoid about the wheel being knocked over and landing on him! Was going to tie to bars too haha.

I've actually just made his lordship a sandbath too. He didnt like the last one (with litter or sand in!) but I think its because it was clear perspex (he was digging and seemed very irritated he could see through). So I bought a heavy large pet food bowl (have hamster sand as recommended on here)! If he hates that then maybe he just doesnt have sand haha. If he likes it I can transition to new cage and it can be another 'familiar thing'.



(obviously saucer will be removed with new cage!)

 

[Maz]

The general view is that all hamsters should have a sand bath. But I tend to find most of my male syrians aren't interested in them! Tino hasn't touched his sand bath since I got him! Not the slightest bit interested in sand! So he just has a sand toilet - which he also ignores ha ha. He is the only Syrian I've had who doesn't use a toilet. But he has got into better habits and keeps his wee separate from his nest.

Whereas dwarf hamsters love sand baths, and for roborovski's its essential. It'll be interesting to see what he does with his new sand bath I think they dig in them to see if they can escape through the bottom sometimes. Most of my male syrians have just chucked all the sand out and filled it with bedding and made it into a hide I've never seen one of mine roll in sand.

He might decide to use it as a toilet though.

Our first syrian had a corner litter tray with sand in. He was a very neat tidy boy. He would sit in the front part and have a wash, and then pee in the very back corner. My others chose different places to have a wash (eg under a shelf).

What do others find with Syrians and sand baths? They vary.

 

[Tulsi]

My lovely fluffy black eyed cream male syrian, Arun loved his sand bath as did my chocolate fluffy haired hamster Gopal.

The sight of a large fluffy hamster rolling around in a plastic corner sand bath is quite wonderful!

None of my other syrians have taken an interest in sand except as a toilet area.