What would be an ideal commercial cage?

[Maz]

Ok - we know there is no perfect cage or tank out there and just about everything needs some adapting, things adding or fiddling about with. Or the size and shape isn't quite right. So what would be your ideal commercial cage. One you could buy that was ready to go with everything needed in it?

Obviously people who prefer the tank styles will different ideal cages to those that prefer barred styles but anything goes

I am still thinking about mine. But I think it would be something like the 100cm Savic plaza, but deeper - about 55cm deep like the Barney used to be. With 7mm bar spacing. Two large doors at the front. A lift off top as well. With a clear plastic base that's 30cm deep and an overall height of 50cm (to allow for 20cm bedding at least). That comes with a 28cm wheel that attaches to bars and is at least quiet, if not silent. And that comes with a long house, the width of the cage (a bit like the one in the Alexander cage used to be) but is on height adjustable legs already. And with a good shelf.

Actually the old Barney cage was pretty close to ideal - if it had had bigger doors on the front - it came with a good house and shelf. But not the 28cm wheel.

 

[elusive]

Mine would diiffer a bit mainly height for dwarf cages, probably 40cm high would be fine.
Agree about being deeper, even 100x60cm would be nice.
I prefer an opaque base,at least I think the hams would! I would really like to see a base with straighter sides like the Kevin too.
One large front door fo me.
I actually prefer cages that come empty.
Bar spacing the same 7mm.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I actually think I have the perfect cage for me but the only thing I would change is a front opening door. If there was some kind of door high up so it would not disturb the bedding then I would love that.

 

[Member ID2]

I wished something like that was available commercially. A glass and wood combo with a front door.
As much as i like barred cages, a glass tank can be more suitable for burrowing dwarfs.
I'm not keen on wood like the pawhuts for hygienic reason.

 

[Member ID2]

I now wonder if the front glass panel of a detolf could be modified into something this.....

 

[Maz]

I wished something like that was available commercially. A glass and wood combo with a front door.
As much as i like barred cages, a glass tank can be more suitable for burrowing dwarfs.
I'm not keen on wood like the pawhuts for hygienic reason.

View attachment 1077

With that one though, it doesn't really have any bedding depth area - it would fall out of the door. Is that an Ikea hack one?

 

[Maz]

I now wonder if the front glass panel of a detolf could be modified into something this.....

I think that would be tricky as it would mean cutting the glass on a detolf. As a top opening cage it's ok though as it's shallowish height and long so top access isn't too difficult (I imagine - haven't actually had one).

 

[Maz]

So do you think a detolf with a ready-made lid and a front opening door would be an ideal cage?

 

[Member ID2]

With that one though, it doesn't really have any bedding depth area - it would fall out of the door. Is that an Ikea hack one?

No, i think it's a home build. I'd have the burrowing area on the left and sloping down to a sand area on the right with the wheel, hides etc.

I thought about the title of this thread but can't narrow it down to one particular type of cage i'd like to be able to buy.

 

[Member ID2]

So do you think a detolf with a ready-made lid and a front opening door would be an ideal cage?

It would be one of them. For a dwarf with Lilly's personality.

 

[Maz]

I know many of us are used to starting with an empty cage and adding things. Some people just want to buy a cage, know it has everything needed for a hamster - the hamster heaven was that idea but it's not quite right. So I was imagining how it could be a "ready made" cage.

 

[Member ID2]

I think that would be tricky as it would mean cutting the glass on a detolf. As a top opening cage it's ok though as it's shallowish height and long so top access isn't too difficult (I imagine - haven't actually had one).

Yes but i like a hamster to be able to walk out of the cage.

I'm going to enquire with a glazier company.

 

[Tulsi]

I had one of my hamsters (Woodstock) in a rabbit hutch for a while. I put a large cardboard box in the main section full of bedding with holes for ventilation and he seemed very happy. He moved into a maxi duna multy in his old age.

Just remembered that my cream banded Syrian, Harvest also lived in a rabbit hutch, one with a run attached. She chewed the wood like crazy!

They were great for access with their front doors and had mesh for ventilation.

 

[Maz]

I remember fluffy Woodstock x