4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[little chickadee]

Yep. 18

 

4 fish

1 Guide Dog Puppy

1 Greyhound

3 cats

7 chickens.

and soon to be 2 hamsters.

 

I know that cats and hamsters aren't really the best things to have in a house together, but the children have been practicing shutting their doors for 2 weeks and have been working really hard for points on their Hamster charts! I always had rodents and cats as a child and they only came to blows once, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

My son has a favourite series of books about a classroom hamster called Humphrey (we've got them on audio read by Greg Proops and they are sooo funny) and has been desperate for one for so long that we've finally given in. His school work has even improved because he's been so desperate to get points, and we've read so many hamster books from the library that I think I am now a world authority on the subject!

 

I've not had a hamster for about 20 years, so I'm really looking forward to it! I know a lot more about them now though!

[Redwing]

Thats so cool, I bet he is chuffed to bits

 

Pets are so addictive.....

[Chickvic]

Wow - he must have been working hard. Actually do you think you'll notice another couple of pets

[Joojoo]

Bet you are excited Fingers crossed you haven't to an Oscar Mk II on your hands with the cats about though!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Fingers crossed you haven't to an Oscar Mk II on your hands with the cats about though!

 

I'll not be letting Oscar anywhere near your little chaps . He might give them ideas .

 

How exciting though! Cute hamster pictures as soon as you get them please .

[Rhapsody]

welcome to the club!

[mostin]

Well done , they are so lovely. Souds like you kiddies have really had to earn them, which is very good. pictures please when they arrive

[Ana's flock]

Rodents are great - right cheeky creatures. We've got 3 ratties and they're really adorable little beasties. We also have 4 lovebirds ...AND cats!

 

Yes, another household soon to qualify for zoo status... However, although we don't let the lovebirds out when the cats are around they do get on OK with the rats well, by that I mean the rats sniff the cats, climb on top of them if the cats are having a cuddle with us and the cats just flick their ears when ratties put their whiskers inside to have a good sniff...

 

I wouldn't chance it with hamsters though... too much of a tasty bite-sized snack!

 

Now my boys are going on about getting a goat... (well, not only the boys... ). We still need to get OH convinced and as goats are sociable animals we will have to have two... I'd like to go for Saanen or some sort of friendly big girls...

 

Anyway, I look forward to the hamster pictures.

[The Dogmother]

That's brilliant news LC and I bet the children are so excited. Good for you, making them earn it and read up on the subject first.

[chooklady]

Your house sounds rather like mine!! Have fun.

[Madbird]

Another zoo here too! Congratulations on the new additions - can't wait to see piccies.

[little chickadee]

We're down to one hamster now! My daughter has decided not to have one in the end as she really loves having cats in her bedroom at night. Luckily her cage was faulty, so the pet shop is giving us a refund

 

Humphrey will be arriving tomorrow. I've phoned the pet shop and they got a big delivery in today including males in the traditional colour (which is essential as that's what the Humphrey in the book looks like!)

 

I've been adapting the cage today. We got it for a song on the internet but we were a bit worried about how far Humphrey would be able to fall from the top, so I've added another full level made of wire, which I'm going to top with plastic tapestry base (as suggested in one of our Hamster books instead of having wire for the hamster to walk on as it might damage their feet eventually.

[little chickadee]

 

The wire level will be more sturdy than this when I've finished, just done a mock up for my boy

[The Dogmother]

That looks lovely LC.

 

If you put a jam jar on its side with some shavings/Aubiose in it, he will use it as his toilet and make it easier to clean out.

 

They are very clean like bunnies and like to use one specific place for their loo.

[little chickadee]

That looks lovely LC.

 

If you put a jam jar on its side with some shavings/Aubiose in it, he will use it as his toilet and make it easier to clean out.

 

They are very clean like bunnies and like to use one specific place for their loo.

 

We're already one step ahead Claret! I've read so many hamster books with the boy that I'm a veritable expert! Would hemcore be ok? That's what we use for the hens as the local shop doesn't sell Auboise. We've got paper based stuff for the bottom of the cage because loads of the books have warned against using softwood chippings.

 

I'm really hoping that the boy has been good at school today, because I've been into the pet shop. They are sooooo cute. I've never seen such little Syrian hamsters (they're nice and young with plenty of growing to do) There was only one male Golden one, so I've bought him to pick up after school. No other colour would have been acceptable! Fingers crossed!

[The Dogmother]

Awww, how lovely. Do post some pictures LC.

 

I don't see why you can't use Hemcore/Aubiose - I use it for my bunnies and they seem to like that it is so dry. You can also get something called carefresh or summat similar that is an absorbent deodorising bedding. I found that emptying out the loo jar daily and the cage weeky was fine and kept the smells away.

[little chickadee]

He's here! Claret - he has the carefresh stuff on the bottom of the cage

Still hasn't got the hang of the tubes between the levels, so he's gone to sleep on the bottom for a bit before he does some more exploring. We're just having a break from hamster watching to have our tea

 

I'll post pictures in a day or so when he's settled in.

[The Dogmother]

Awww, I just love hammies, but both our cats are such hunters that I wouldn't give one 5 minutes in this house!

 

Rub those cute little ears against your cheek for me though.

 

Don't tell Rosie that you have one though

[little chickadee]

I've read all the hamster books and was planning to clean out his liter corner or a jam jar each day. However, contrary to the books, he's doing all his business in his bed. Each day bedding and food has been wet and covered in poo Any ideas?

[The Dogmother]

Try moving some of the poo and wee into the jam jar and see if he'll get the hint. It's most unusual for them to 'go' in their bedding. Naughty boy!

[little chickadee]

Trust us to get that one!

[The Dogmother]

At least it's easier to clear up than puppy piddle!

[little chickadee]

Well, we tried your advice of putting some of the smelly stuff in the jam jar. He took it out and put it back in his bed I guess we'll have to keep on cleaning out his sleeping hut every day

 

Unless anyone else has any other ideas?

[The Dogmother]

what a little tinker, obviously like pooing in his bed!

[chelsea]

that cage is fab! what a lucky hamster