HOW TO MAKE A BIN CAGE | DIY Hamster cage!, by Victoria Raechel on YouTube. 4 min 59 s.
- Video length
- 4 min 59 s
- Time to do it
- 90 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Choose a clear or solid bin with at least 450 square inches of floor space, roughly 110 quarts or larger. Check that the plastic is thick and not brittle, and keep the lid.
Decide where the vent goes, usually a large rectangle in the lid or upper side. Use a ruler and marker to draw it, leaving a border of at least 2 inches on every side.
Put on safety glasses and gloves. Drill a starter hole in each corner of the rectangle, then cut along the marked line with a utility knife.
Cut a piece of hardware cloth about 1 inch larger than the opening on all sides. File or snip any sharp wire ends flat.
Lay the mesh over the opening and attach it with zip ties every 1 to 2 inches around the edge. Pull each tie tight and trim the tails.
Run a finger around the mesh and the cut plastic edge. File down sharp spots and close any gap wider than 1/4 inch.
Add 6 inches or more of paper bedding, an 8 to 11 inch wheel, a hide, a water bottle and a food bowl. Keep heavy items on the bin floor, not on the lid.
Fit the lid firmly and check that the mesh sits flush. Watch the hamster for the first few hours to confirm it cannot reach or chew the cut edges.
Tips and common mistakes
Skip window screen, because a hamster can chew through it.
Drilled holes alone give poor airflow and can let a hamster chew out if it can reach them.
Use 1/4 inch mesh for dwarf hamsters so they cannot squeeze through.
Cut plastic slowly with a warm blade to avoid cracks and jagged edges.
Questions
What size bin do I need for a hamster?
Aim for at least 450 square inches of floor space, which is often a 110 quart bin or larger. Bigger is better, especially for Syrian hamsters.
Can I use window screen instead of hardware cloth?
No. Window screen is easy to chew through, so use metal hardware cloth with 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch mesh instead.
How long does a bin cage take to make?
Plan on about 90 minutes for measuring, cutting, attaching the mesh and setting up the inside. Let the cut edges cool and check them before adding your hamster.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
