M
Member ID2
I've recently been bitten by my Robo!
The three Syrian boys have never bitten me.
The three Syrian boys have never bitten me.
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
I hope Norbert displays the same manners as your Syrians, and not the rudeness of the little robo 
The worst bite I ever received in all my years of rescue was from a cockatoo that my friend was safe housing. She latched on, and broke my thumb! The worst part was, my friends 3yo daughter was stood right beside me, so I couldn't even verbalise my dismay (if you get my drift.. 
) To this day, I don't know how I managed not to let loose with a stream of very descriptive language 
The worst bite I ever received in all my years of rescue was from a cockatoo that my friend was safe housing. She latched on, and broke my thumb! The worst part was, my friends 3yo daughter was stood right beside me, so I couldn't even verbalise my dismay (if you get my drift.. ) To this day, I don't know how I managed not to let loose with a stream of very descriptive language
R
RainbowBrite
He is sooo beautiful! It is so lovely to see him.
M
Member ID2
I had no idea a cockatoo had such a powerful bite!
You must have almost exploded with your efforts of not expressing your dismay.
You must have almost exploded with your efforts of not expressing your dismay.
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
I've been struggling to upload my video of Norbert exploring his new setup, so I've put it on my YouTube channel. Hopefully the link will work! Please feel free to criticise, it's how I learn 
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It all looks great! He is really enjoying exploring it to and looks very happy 
. My only question is I was wondering what the grey fence/bedding divider was made of. I can't make it out . Videos - tbh I need to look to see if there is any alternative to just posting a link, which is what people usually do. I'll check that out. I think there is an alternative way but it might be complicated.
. My only question is I was wondering what the grey fence/bedding divider was made of. I can't make it out . Videos - tbh I need to look to see if there is any alternative to just posting a link, which is what people usually do. I'll check that out. I think there is an alternative way but it might be complicated.
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RainbowBrite
Oh my gosh, I loved this video so much! Norbert is so cute and he looks so happy. The only thing I would do is add more bedding. I see you have made two areas were one has a deeper bedding but I find hamsters love digging so much. I would put the wheel on a platform so you can have deep bedding on that side. Aspen is great but paper bedding seems to be even better at holding burrows. I love the natural theme you have.
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Hi Maz, thank you for watching the fence was plastic, but I did have 2nd thoughts about that and decided to replace it with slate. Regarding the videos, at least the YouTube link embedded ok, but I realise a lot of people won't have a channel. Maybe some of the free hosting sites for photos and videos with shareable links could be a way forward? 
the fence was plastic, but I did have 2nd thoughts about that and decided to replace it with slate. Regarding the videos, at least the YouTube link embedded ok, but I realise a lot of people won't have a channel. Maybe some of the free hosting sites for photos and videos with shareable links could be a way forward?
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Thank you! It's been 35 years since I had a hamster, and boy have things changed! (Thank goodness!)Oh my gosh, I loved this video so much! Norbert is so cute and he looks so happy. The only thing I would do is add more bedding. I see you have made two areas were one has a deeper bedding but I find hamsters love digging so much. I would put the wheel on a platform so you can have deep bedding on that side. Aspen is great but paper bedding seems to be even better at holding burrows. I love the natural theme you have.
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RainbowBrite
I was watching a few of the videos on your channel. You are amazing and have helped so many animals.Thank you! It's been 35 years since I had a hamster, and boy have things changed! (Thank goodness!)
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Regarding the bedding and the depth, yes, I shall act on this, thank you. I have a big bag of paper bedding, and I will order a big bag of hamster friendly shavings of Amazon right now so he has a good mixOh my gosh, I loved this video so much! Norbert is so cute and he looks so happy. The only thing I would do is add more bedding. I see you have made two areas were one has a deeper bedding but I find hamsters love digging so much. I would put the wheel on a platform so you can have deep bedding on that side. Aspen is great but paper bedding seems to be even better at holding burrows. I love the natural theme you have.
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RainbowBrite
Aspen are the only safe shavings for hamster that I am aware of. You could just buy paper bedding if you wanted to. Fitch and Kaytee clean and cosy seem to be the most popular. Fitch is cheaper and you get more.Regarding the bedding and the depth, yes, I shall act on this, thank you. I have a big bag of paper bedding, and I will order a big bag of hamster friendly shavings of Amazon right now so he has a good mix
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I think it's fine to have a deeper area and a less deep area. I have a barred cage so have about 6" bedding in (8" in places as our hamster decided to put more in one area lol!). Having the house over about 6" of bedding means they can burrow down and bury the hoards under the house. But - sometimes people prefer to have the house as a subterranean house so there's no right or wrong way really. I can't see how much bedding is on the right side but 4 to 6" would be ok as the other half is deeper. The plastic fence was probably fine as long as he didn't chew it I had just never seen anything like that before.
I think any link posts a video? Whether it's youtube or another site?
I had just never seen anything like that before.I think any link posts a video? Whether it's youtube or another site?
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Some of it depends on the hamster. I've had some Syrians who like digging and others who don't. Robos always dig! It's a lovely set up. Yes pine shavings aren't really used any more but aspen and paper bedding are good. Or there's finacard as well. Having the wheel on a stand would be nice as Rainbow says, but not essential It can make another hidey place underneath. That's probably the only other thing I'd add - maybe an extra hidey place or tunnel. But it looks like you have some at the back - I can't see properly. It looks amazing and he seems really happy!
It can make another hidey place underneath. That's probably the only other thing I'd add - maybe an extra hidey place or tunnel. But it looks like you have some at the back - I can't see properly. It looks amazing and he seems really happy!
M
Member ID2
That's a lovely video and Norbert looks so happy! I really want to watch your other videos as well now.
Personally, i wouldn't change anything in the layout. I love it. I think the deeper area on the left with the shallow area on the right with the wheel and sandbath at base level works really well.
I'd exchange the sandbath for a bigger one and put a hide in it, maybe a coconut hide, they like those.
Personally, i wouldn't change anything in the layout. I love it. I think the deeper area on the left with the shallow area on the right with the wheel and sandbath at base level works really well.
I'd exchange the sandbath for a bigger one and put a hide in it, maybe a coconut hide, they like those.
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Ah I see now, the right side is just a thin layer of substrate. So a couple of inches more might be nice at that side (and make it easier for cleaning/spot cleaning). Or. another option would be to have the low area as a sand area. I've seen people do that. Personally I wouldn't do that because it very much depends how into sand the hamster is and I've found most syrians aren't that interested in sand! Mine haven't been anyway - apart from using it as a toilet. Robos always need sand. So yes adding a little bit more substrate to the right side might be nice for him . But really its fine and as a hamster settles in, they often let you see what they like and don't like and what might need adjusting.
What I want to know is where people get those amazing giant wood pieces with holes in! It's the second one I've seen now!
. But really its fine and as a hamster settles in, they often let you see what they like and don't like and what might need adjusting.What I want to know is where people get those amazing giant wood pieces with holes in! It's the second one I've seen now!
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
I was just coming back to ask about this, as all the shavings seem to be pine. I'm glad I double checked before I ordered!! Rightiho, aspen will be the order then. Thank you
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Norbert Wrigglebottom
Do you mean the big grey one Maz? It's actually resin, and is an aquarium ornament! Only thing is, the edges have to be checked as they can be surprisingly sharpAh I see now, the right side is just a thin layer of substrate. So a couple of inches more might be nice at that side (and make it easier for cleaning/spot cleaning). Or. another option would be to have the low area as a sand area. I've seen people do that. Personally I wouldn't do that because it very much depends how into sand the hamster is and I've found most syrians aren't that interested in sand! Mine haven't been anyway - apart from using it as a toilet. Robos always need sand. So yes adding a little bit more substrate to the right side might be nice for him
What I want to know is where people get those amazing giant wood pieces with holes in! It's the second one I've seen now!
however a good file soon sorts that out. There are some wonderful hides and driftwood items on the aquarium sites, I have often found this one to be the most reasonable for pricing. https://www.pro-shrimp.co.uk/