The Helpful Hamster

Not enough money for an expensive cage? Not enough room for
your Syrian to run around? Well, no matter what your reasoning
bins make perfect cages for any hamster. Bins are inexpensive,
easy to make, and easy to clean. They only cost about $4-$20
or more depending on the size you want to purchase for your
hamster. Read on to see how to build bins step by step.

1. Purchase your bin... Any major department store will carry bins in all shapes, colors, & sizes. Bins vary in prices from about $4-$20. Shop around because different stores will sell bins at different prices. 56 quarts is the minimum size but there is no maximum size. The bigger the better. 56 quarts is about 14 gallons, anything bigger then that is perfect. Remember the rule is one Syrian per 10 gallons and 2 dwarves per 10 gallons. If the label on the bin doesn’t say how many gallons it is then remember 1 quart is .25 of a gallon. Make sure the bins don’t have any indents because the hamsters will be able to chew out of them. some indents will be ok, if they are smooth indents then they might ok. If you can not find any bins in your area you can do a search on the internet and purchase them on-line.

Pictures of a plain bin

Bin with smooth indents

2. Drill The Holes... You will want to space your holes out about every 1 inch. You can do them in 2 different patterns in the picture below. I use pattern 2 because it looks better but you can choose whatever one you want. If you want your cage to look really good you will want to use a washable marker to measure out the distances for the holes. You will want to do at least three rows of holes all the way around the top of the bin. You will also need to drill holes in the lid of the bin. If you don’t have a drill you might want to buy one. They are only about $15-$20 for a small drill and it will work fine. I use a dremel tool, so I can use lots of different bits. Now to start drilling. You might want to lay out a sheet and have a vacuum handy because lots of plastic scraps will be thrown all over the ground. Drill the holes slowly, because if you go to fast the plastic might crack. This will take a while so have fun.

Drilling Patterns

Holes Drilled

Dremel Tool

Holes All Drilled

3. Now that you are done drilling the holes you will have to clean them up and make sure that the holes don’t have any sharp edges. if the holes don’t then don’t worry about it but if they do you can use some sand paper and sand them off. Now take them to the bath tub and wash off all the plastic scraps and washable marker.

4. Now place in the bedding, wheel, water bottle, food dish, & more. (If you have a wheel the attaches to wire cage then you can drill a hole so the wheel can hold on to the side, You will want to also find a way for the water bottle to attach to the bin. you can use suction cups or you can drill hole and use wire to hold the water bottle.)

Cage With Accesories

Building Levels...
Wire dish racks are great for adding levels, but you will have to weave some thing cardboard through it so it dosn’t hurt the hamsters feet. You can make them out of wood and cardboard, just make sure they are safe and are not to high.

Adding tube attachments...
You will have to buy tube attachment rings, you will trace one of the rings on to the bin and make a circle. Cut it out and test to make sure it fits. If it doesn’t then shave off some of the bin and test it again. Do this until it fits. You might want to duck tape it on so its really secure. Then the tubes will fit through, but you might want to duck tape those so they are really secure so it dosn’t tip when the hamster crawls up the tubes.

Hole Marked With Washable Marker

Hole Cut Out

Tube Attachment Rings

Have fun!!