My TEK girls came down in an ALT 2 story hamster type cage that was wonderfully donated to the cause by Arlene [who was incredible and helped get the girls down to me], who had gotten the cage in a rescue. It wasn't suitable for anything but babies, and only for travel at best. I have this problem of not being able to throw anything away and I unfortunately do not know of any Hamster Rescues that would have put the cage to good use. So, I made something completely different! I have a need of a larger sized carrier for the girls. For short trips, and to/from the Pen, their tiny carrier is great. For anything longer, though, it's awful. No where to go the bathroom, no real way to hang a water bottle, etc.. With the babies due to get their spays soon, I really needed something better. I just refuse to spend $20 on a 'kit' for something I'll use maybe twice a year.
Armed with standard and needle nose pliers, I set to work to utterly destroy a cage.
The cage Before:
The bit we wanted to keep:
Finished and scrubbed:
Managed to keep the shelf thingie:
Downsides: ALT cages aren't known for excellent powdercoat. The paint was flaking of horribly during the entire procedure, and there are several large areas of exposed galvanized wire. Honestly, not that big of a deal since I do only plan to use it maybe twice a year, but esthetically not pleasing. I may go out and get a non-toxic spray paint and freshen it up some. Also, the wire that seemed so wonderfully strong to begin with is actually quite fragile. While pulling off some c rings, several of the horizontal support bars bent or came completely away from the vertical bars. The lower level was utterly demolished for the same reasons. Something to keep in mind if I ever do this again.
Armed with standard and needle nose pliers, I set to work to utterly destroy a cage.
The cage Before:
The bit we wanted to keep:
Finished and scrubbed:
Managed to keep the shelf thingie:
Downsides: ALT cages aren't known for excellent powdercoat. The paint was flaking of horribly during the entire procedure, and there are several large areas of exposed galvanized wire. Honestly, not that big of a deal since I do only plan to use it maybe twice a year, but esthetically not pleasing. I may go out and get a non-toxic spray paint and freshen it up some. Also, the wire that seemed so wonderfully strong to begin with is actually quite fragile. While pulling off some c rings, several of the horizontal support bars bent or came completely away from the vertical bars. The lower level was utterly demolished for the same reasons. Something to keep in mind if I ever do this again.
