Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/30 20:42Eek! I'm having trouble making airholes in my sterilite tubs, partly because I just wasn't able to get the proper tools in time. I pick Poe up in about 4 hours
Okay, so I have access to an ancient drill. It works fine, it just makes very small holes and we weren't able to locate any of the other bits. I'd say that the holes are slightly smaller around then a standard pencil. If I put enough of these holes into the walls of the tub, could they provide enough ventilation?
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dzmeadows
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/30 21:14If you put enough in, they can work. I personally use a 3/4 in. spade bit, much fewer holes to drill, and they are cheap at wal-mart or similar locations. Becca
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/30 22:27I use a soldering iron and burn my holes.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 16:23I tried to drill holes in a Sterilite before I got Oliver's cage, and I found problems with the plastic cracking around the holes. I like the idea of burning the holes in, but I don't have the tool.
Our cage came from Hedgehogs by Vickie near Chicago, and it is specially built for hedgie's needs. It's wire, and even has a little loft. Linda
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 17:14Kiwisoo wrote: Our cage came from Hedgehogs by Vickie near Chicago, and it is specially built for hedgie's needs. It's wire, and even has a little loft. Linda
I'm really not a fan of the Vicki cages. IMO they are too small and the additional levels are useless. . You are better off using a guinea pig or rabbit cage with a solid bottom. The minimum cage size is 2 square feet and high enough to fit an 11" wheel. The mini wheels on Vicki's site are useless when your hedgehog reaches adult size (which happens usually by 6 months of age and many times sooner). If the wheel is too small, your hedgehog may hurt himself trying to use it.
I also do not like the metal cages. The metal bottom corrodes very quickly when exposed to urine and feces. The metal bars are also prone to corroding and/ or rusting over time. There are other cages available with nice coated metal bars. For about the same price, you can get one of those
I am sorry, but I'm really not a fan of the cages Vicki makes and sells. She has some nice looking hedgehogs, but I feel strongly that her cages could be a lot better.
Check out the Marchioro cages. They are nice, and there are at least 3 different sizes available. Here is a link so you can see what they look like:
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 18:23I actually HAVE a brand new Marchioro guinea pig cage that I bought before I bought Vickie's cage. It's huge. But Vickie told me that Oliver could slip through the bars (about 1" spacing) or get stuck. Do you think he would be safe in it? It's really a beautiful cage and right now it's just sitting around doing nothing. I have no problem changing it.
I have the large Whisper Wheel from Vickie and it is plenty big. I HAVE noticed that the metal cage IS hard to keep clean--I have ended up putting a paper towel under the wheel to catch Oliver's eliminations because the metal tray on the bottom was starting to get a corroded spot from being peed on in the same spot every day. Oliver does use the loft for sleeping sometimes, but a lot of time he sleeps under the wheel.
The Marchioro cage does have easier access. I just don't want him to get himself stuck between the bars. It also has more floor space.
So what do you think? In the long run, do you think the guinea pig cage would be best for him?
Appreciate your ideas so much. Vickie is not available unless I want to call long-distance. She does not have a website or email address for customers. I'm coming to you for my next hedgie.
Linda
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 18:30P.S. I went to the website and the picture of the Marchioro cage is the one we have. I got it on sale at PetCo.
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 18:41Kiwisoo wrote: But Vickie told me that Oliver could slip through the bars (about 1" spacing) or get stuck. Do you think he would be safe in it? It's really a beautiful cage and right now it's just sitting around doing nothing. I have no problem changing it. I'm coming to you for my next hedgie.
Linda
I'll be nice and not say the first thought that came into my mind.
Basically, by the time a hedgehog is old enough to leave its mom(assuming it is healthy), it should be too big to squeeze between the bars of that cage.
I've had hedgehogs of all ages in the marchino cage and only had a problem with a hedgehog slipping out once. The one that slipped out was undersized and had something wrong with her. She would not gain weight, wasn't healthy, and died before 10 weeks or age.
But basically, a healthy hedgehog will not squeeze out of that cage. Do make sure the top and door are latched, because they will get out if you leave them open.
How long have you had your hedgehog? It's a shame that the bottom of the cage is corroding already, but unfortuenately the metal does corrode quickly.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 19:13Oliver has been with us since around Feb. 19. He is three months old and is a good size.
Yes, there is a spot in front of the wheel where the metal is stained already. He poops and pees in the wheel and it slides off onto the same place. So I have a fresh paper towel there each day to catch it.
Another thing I have noticed----although he is shy and often hides when people are around, I have seen very little evidence that he moves around the cage that much. He has a big tube and some toys in there, but maybe he needs more room.
I think I will try the guinea pig cage this weekend and see how he likes it. It's not as dark as the metal cage is, either. Perhaps brighter surroundings will perk him up a bit.
Is it OK to put the heat lamp directly on the enameled wire?
Linda
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aka_meerkat
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 19:57What kind of store, or section of a store, did you get your soldering iron Kelly?
I wanted to get one because the idea of melting holes does sound much easier, but I couldn't find one at Walmart. Of course, I wasn't quite sure where to look and that might have soemthing to do with it!
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 22:08Kiwisoo wrote: Is it OK to put the heat lamp directly on the enameled wire?
Linda
Ditch the heat lamp. It is safer on the enameled wire then it is with the metal Vicki cage, but I still don't trust them. Did Vicki tell you to use a heat lamp? I think they are downright dangerous in a metal cage. The lamp can heat up the metal and get it very hot. If that is happening, it could explain why your hedgehog wasn't moving around a lot.
Petco sells "hermit crab heating pads" for $15.99. They are made for plastic cages and perfect for hedgehogs.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/03/31 22:10aka_meerkat wrote: What kind of store, or section of a store, did you get your soldering iron Kelly?
Walmart, I believe it was by the tools. Just go to that section and ask an associate. It should run you about $10.
You can find one at a craft store too.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/03 15:55Yes, Vickie told me to get the heat lamp. She also suggested I get a reptile warming pad for the bottom of the metal cage and a hemostat (?) to control the heat from that. I only got the heat lamp. Waring the bottom of a metal cage did not sound safe.
Is the hermit crab heating pad large enough to warm a big guinea pig cage to 80 degrees? I moved Oliver from the metal wire cage to the guinea pig cage and it is wonderful! He has so much more room now and it's so much easier to keep clean! And it stays warmer than the metal wire cage. So we've put the old "Vickie" cage away. Maybe I can seel it to someone with hamsters or gerbils.
Anyway, with a long plastic cage, would I need TWO hermit crab heaters? I'd be happy to get rid of the inconvenience and burn-threat of the heat lamp.
Linda
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aka_meerkat
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/03 17:55Poe's tub is 30" long (I'm working on adding two more) and I use a snuggle safe disc. That warms about half the tub, leaving him room to move off of it if he gets too warm, which he did last night. It has a cover and didn't seem to be getting heat through the thick plastic, so I put it IN the tub under a folded blanket. It's been working well so far!
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/03 18:51I've never heard of a snuggle safe dic. What is it and where can I get one? Thanks- Linda
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/03 23:44Kiwisoo wrote: Yes, Vickie told me to get the heat lamp. She also suggested I get a reptile warming pad for the bottom of the metal cage and a hemostat (?) to control the heat from that. I only got the heat lamp. Waring the bottom of a metal cage did not sound safe.
No, it isn't safe, but neither is using the heat light on the metal. *sigh* I hate to say negative things about other breeders....but WOW! Just because someone breeds an animal doesn't mean they know how to care for it.
Is the hermit crab heating pad large enough to warm a big guinea pig cage to 80 degrees?
No. first off the cage shouldn't be 80 degrees. That is bordering on too warm. Did Vicki tell you that too? Does she include any literature with her hedgehogs, and if so can you send me a copy of it?
The ambient temperature in the room the hedgehog is in should be in the 70's. Put the heating pad in the corner and your hedgehog will have a warm place to go if the temp drops a little or if he isn't feeling well. You only need 1 heating pad.
I prefer the heating pads over the snuggle safe Disk because you have to microwave the snuggle safe every 12 hours or so. It's no good if you go away for the weekend or you forget. Snuggle Safe is great for travel though.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Stasi
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/04 00:40Personally, I've found that heat pads made for humans (that don't have the auto off) are reliable, safe and easy to find -- just leave it on low under one part of the cage - it does the trick nicely.Stasi Terrapin Hedgehogs Joppa, MD www.terrapinhedgehogs.com
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Like Kelly said, it does need to be microwaved regularly, so it definately wouldn't work if you're going to be away for more then 12 hours.
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/04 14:04I will see what info I got from Vickie and send it to you. For some reason, I got the impression that the low 80s is the preferred temp for during the day. All this time I have gotten worried if the temp was in the 70s. Maybe Oliver is too warm and that's why he doesn't wake up much (seriously, he is only up from around midnight to 5 am).
Ok---about human heating pads---we have one, but is it OK to put under the plastic cage? One of the directions on the pad says not to put anything on top of it.
Vickie told me to get the reptile heat lamp and just put it face-down on top of the cage. She also told me that Spike's Delight can be the main food for Oliver and kind of steered me away from mixing it with cat food.
So can the heating pad go under the plastic?
Linda
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dzmeadows
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/04 16:44Yep, you can put a human heating pad under a plastic cage. If it gets too warm, put a couple of dice (or corks, or whatever about 1/2-1 inch thick between the heating pad and the cage, this will help create a little airflow between them, and keep them from overheating, but as long as your heating pad is on low, and has some kind of a cloth covering (this will help with air flow a tiny bit) then it should be perfectly fine sitting directly on it. Becca
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/04 19:06I will try that when I get home tonight. Gosh, all this time I have taken care to make sure Oliver's cage was 80 degrees. Big old ceramic bulb in a reptile heater on top of the cage.
It will be interesting to see if Oliver perks up a bit!
Thanks to everyone for the advice! Linda
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HamorHollow
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/04 22:52Kiwisoo wrote: (seriously, he is only up from around midnight to 5 am).
he's nocturnal.
Vickie told me to get the reptile heat lamp and just put it face-down on top of the cage. She also told me that Spike's Delight can be the main food for Oliver and kind of steered me away from mixing it with cat food. Linda
Shockingly, Vicky is an "Authorized National Distributer of Spike's Delight", so of course she would say that. From what I've heard, it's an ok food but you should mix it with cat food if you are going to use it.
Is spike's the peleted one or does it look like cat food?
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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Kiwisoo
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/05 14:03LOL! Yes, I know he's nocturnal and a baby, but I am jealous of all these hedgie people that get great pictures of their hedgies out playing and having a good time with people around!
Yes, Spike's Delight is the pelleted food. I am planning to add a little cat food, but only a lite, high protein type. Don't want him to get pudgy!
I used a heating pad last night for the sleeping end of the cage. Temperature dipped to 69 in my room last night, but it was up to 70 by the time I left for work today. My room is the most evenly heated in the house, so that's why I have him in there with me.
I checked Vickie's care sheets (I will snail mail you a copy) and she says that if hedgies' environments are below 70 they could go into hibernation and then die. She recommends a corner of the cage to be "in the 80s".
The Hedgehog Primer ( by Tig) on page 13 recommends the temp inside the cage be between 72-85 degrees. So you can understand, I'm sure , why I've been confused by all this. I only want what is best for Oliver but I am confused by all the temperature variances. If 80 is too warm, then why such a large temp range in the Primer? And if 69 is too cold and 70 is OK, can I be sure he won't go into hibernation of some sort?
Gotta go for now--my students have just come in. Thanks for continued advice..... Linda
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dzmeadows
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Re:Sterilite Woes - 2006/04/05 15:1880 isn't necessarily too high, as in higher than 80 will make your hedgehog sick, it is just higher than necessary. The majority of hedgehogs are perfectly fine between 72-75 degrees, 70-72 is grand, but has no "buffer zone" between it and too cool. 75-85 is ok for most hedgehogs also, but if you are fighting to keep the temperature up to 80, it can be painful for your electric bill. I consider Spikes to be probably the highest quality "hedgehog" food, and for anyone who is determined to feed just a hedgehog food, it is the one I would recommend. But IMO, a good quality cat food is going to be a better option than straight hedgehog foods as a rule. Becca
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