21 replies to this topic

[Happyhammies26]

Hi everyone,
I am going to be making or buying a larger cage for my hamster soon, and I was wondering if you would recommend making a cage (not a bin cage, that is the cage I currently have) or buying a cage (like the niteangle ones)? If you said buying do you have any recommendations? Or if you said making do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
- Happyhammies26

[♥️ ♥]

Hi everyone,
I am going to be making or buying a larger cage for my hamster soon, and I was wondering if you would recommend making a cage (not a bin cage, that is the cage I currently have) or buying a cage (like the niteangle ones)? If you said buying do you have any recommendations? Or if you said making do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
- Happyhammies26

It really depends. Making VR's DIY cage would likely be a little cheaper, than buying the Niteangel enclosures which are all around $200-$300. 

Do you have the tools and help to build the diy enclosure? I had saws and drills and all the things I needed (plus 5 brothers and my dad) so it was a lot cheaper because I didn't have to buy any tools. If you were to build one, I would watch VR's videos. She has a tutorial on how to build the enclosure that I have. 

 

If you were to be buying a cage, I would recommend these niteangel ones. The large would be around the same space as the DIY cage ( 4 foot by 2 foot) 

 

Hope this helped and please tell me if you have any questions on the DIY enclosure!

[Happyhammies26]

It really depends. Making VR's DIY cage would likely be a little cheaper, than buying the Niteangel enclosures which are all around $200-$300. 
Do you have the tools and help to build the diy enclosure? I had saws and drills and all the things I needed (plus 5 brothers and my dad) so it was a lot cheaper because I didn't have to buy any tools. If you were to build one, I would watch VR's videos. She has a tutorial on how to build the enclosure that I have. 
 
If you were to be buying a cage, I would recommend these niteangel ones. The large would be around the same space as the DIY cage ( 4 foot by 2 foot) 
 
Hope this helped and please tell me if you have any questions on the DIY enclosure!

I'll probably be making one unless I find a cheaper proper sized cage, do you recommend any specific wood or plexiglass to make a diy cage?

[CallaTheHam]

You could do one of the ikea cages, if you don't want to start completely from scratch making one. I also find them to be fairly cheap. There's also a large fish tank, they can get expensive but there are some on craigslist for cheaper.

Edited by CallaTheHam, 13 August 2022 - 11:46 PM.

[Happyhammies26]

You could do one of the ikea cages, if you don't want to start completely from scratch making one. I also find them to be fairly cheap. There's also a large fish tank, they can get expensive but there are some on craigslist for cheaper.

Ok, thanks for the help! I'll think about doing that, their isn't a Ikea by me, so I'll consider the tank! Thanks again!

[♥️ ♥]

I'll probably be making one unless I find a cheaper proper sized cage, do you recommend any specific wood or plexiglass to make a diy cage?

Ok! What I used was Melamine wood, but that's a very debated subject. Some people don't like using it because if your hamster ingests it, it could possibly be toxic. My hamster isn't a chewer though, so I felt safe using it. If you have a chewer, you might want to go with a different type of wood.

 

I used plexiglass but I'm not a fan of it. All the bedding sticks to it and it's a little bendy. At some point I hope to switch to glass. 

I would personally try glass.

[Kikya]

Hi everyone,
I am going to be making or buying a larger cage for my hamster soon, and I was wondering if you would recommend making a cage (not a bin cage, that is the cage I currently have) or buying a cage (like the niteangle ones)? If you said buying do you have any recommendations? Or if you said making do you have any recommendations?

Thanks,
- Happyhammies26

I think it depends on if you are crafty and have available safe wood available to you. If you like DIY then go for it.

 

But I love my Nite Angel cages, they work perfectly for me and everyone is happy in them. I always had the problem where I couldn't find safe materials to make a cage so I finally gave up.

[Happyhammies26]

Ok! What I used was Melamine wood, but that's a very debated subject. Some people don't like using it because if your hamster ingests it, it could possibly be toxic. My hamster isn't a chewer though, so I felt safe using it. If you have a chewer, you might want to go with a different type of wood.

I used plexiglass but I'm not a fan of it. All the bedding sticks to it and it's a little bendy. At some point I hope to switch to glass.
I would personally try glass.

Ok, thanks for the input! Do you think I could use birch,Birch, dogwood, or willow wood?

Edited by Happyhammies26, 14 August 2022 - 02:26 AM.

[Happyhammies26]

I think it depends on if you are crafty and have available safe wood available to you. If you like DIY then go for it.
 
But I love my Nite Angel cages, they work perfectly for me and everyone is happy in them. I always had the problem where I couldn't find safe materials to make a cage so I finally gave up.

Ok, thanks for the help! I'll try to do a diy cage but if that doesn't work, I'll do niteangle cages for sure!

[Lillias]

I've priced out a DIY cage, and the total was in a similar range as a Niteangel. Part of that is me being picky about materials. DIYs can be cheaper, but they aren't necessarily cheaper than buying a large commercial habitat.

 

Do the research before you buy materials. A lot will depend on what's available in your area and how much it costs. Unfortunately, building materials have increased in cost the past couple years, so earlier estimates may no longer be accurate.

 

It would help to enlist an extra hand, especially if that person has some building experience.

[Kikya]

I've priced out a DIY cage, and the total was in a similar range as a Niteangel. Part of that is me being picky about materials. DIYs can be cheaper, but they aren't necessarily cheaper than buying a large commercial habitat.
 
Do the research before you buy materials. A lot will depend on what's available in your area and how much it costs. Unfortunately, building materials have increased in cost the past couple years, so earlier estimates may no longer be accurate.
 
It would help to enlist an extra hand, especially if that person has some building experience.

So true the good materials are so expensive. >.> Especially with inflation...

[Happyhammies26]

I've priced out a DIY cage, and the total was in a similar range as a Niteangel. Part of that is me being picky about materials. DIYs can be cheaper, but they aren't necessarily cheaper than buying a large commercial habitat.
 
Do the research before you buy materials. A lot will depend on what's available in your area and how much it costs. Unfortunately, building materials have increased in cost the past couple years, so earlier estimates may no longer be accurate.
 
It would help to enlist an extra hand, especially if that person has some building experience.

Ok, thanks, this was really helpful! I've been looking at materials and they are more expensive than I thought, lol

[♥️ ♥]

Sorry, double post 

Edited by ♥️ ♥, 14 August 2022 - 03:43 AM.

[♥️ ♥]

Ok, thanks for the input! Do you think I could use birch,Birch, dogwood, or willow wood?

I've never tried these, so I don't really know. You could also use plywood.  

[Happyhammies26]

Ok, thanks for the help!