Why would I use a plastic bin as a cage?
A bin cage can be an affordable alternative to a smaller, more unsuitable cage. With some basic tool skills, you can take a $30-50 dollar bin and create a suitably sized cage for your hamster, bigger than any pet store cage!
What kind of bin can I use?
The most commonly used bin currently is a 50-gallon (200 qt) Sterilite Stacker Box. This is because it is the largest clear storage bin available. There are larger bins, 75 gal and 90 gal but they are black, and most people find them unappealing as well as the lid is much harder to cut through. They are meant for the outdoors. The 50-gallon bin is not available in all countries so it’s best to find the largest bin available to you. You can find a list of available storage bins by country HERE.
Are these bins large enough for my hamster?
The 50-gallon bin is around 650 square inches of floor space. See this POST for how to measure the size of your bin. This is a decent size starter cage for most hamsters. However, some hamsters will need a bigger cage eventually. Dwarf hamsters are more likely to be comfortable in a bin cage. In the end, it’s a decision that you need make because not all hamsters will be happy in a bin cage. However, if you create the bin cage and it turns out that the hamster is not completely happy with living in it long term, it makes an excellent travel cage or emergency sick bin. I would not use a storage bin smaller than 25 gallon/100qt bin to create long term housing. You can see the difference in size in the picture below.
Do I need to cut a mesh lid?
For Syrians, absolutely! It is not advisable to go without a lid on a bin cage as they will escape if they have the chance. For some Robos and Dwarfs, you may go lidless but if you ever needed to travel with it, lidless would be very difficult and could injure your hamster. I advise at least making the lid to have, even if you don’t use it on a regular basis.
What do tools/supplies do I need to create a bin cage?
1 large storage bin
1 roll of wire mesh (also known as galvanized steel wire hardware cloth) You can use either the 1/2 inch (13mm) width or 1/4 inch (6mm) width.
1 pair of wire cutters
1 handheld drill with a drill bit the same width as your zip tie bands
1 Dremel rotary tool
1-2 EZ Lock Mandrel and cutting wheels (I’ve had the cutting wheels wear down in the middle of making a bin cage so a backup is nice to have)
1 safety knife for trimming
1 package of zip ties
1 permanent marker
1 ruler
1 pair of safety goggles (do not skip this, melting plastic can fly everywhere including in your eyes)
Steps to make a bin cage
To start take your ruler and permanent marker to draw an outline on the lid of the air hole you will cut. It should take up most of the lid, but you will need an inch or two around the edges to allow for holes to be drilled and the ends of the mesh to sit.
As an aside, it used to be popular to try to cut air holes on the sides of bins, 1) that doesn’t work very well for a 50-gallon bin because it’s so thick. Even on the smaller bins the sides would often crack from trying to cut them. 2) it doesn’t allow for the maximum amount of bedding, so this is no longer recommended. It’s best to cut a large area in the lid for plenty of ventilation.
Once you have drawn an outline of the air hole, unroll the mesh and lay it on top of the outline. Line up the squares so that they are close enough to the edge that a zip tie could hold it in place, usually about two squares worth. Take your marker and mark each spot where you will drill a zip tie hole. I usually do every third square is a mark and I give it at least two squares from the edge of the air hole you will cut. This is also the time where you should take your wire cutters and cut your mesh to about an inch or two large than the air hole. BE CAREFUL, the mesh edges are very sharp and can easily cut you or poke you if you are not careful.
Once everything is measured and you know where the zip ties will go and how much mesh you need, equip your safety goggles. Get your drill and the bit you will need to create the holes. Put the lid on top of the bin and secure it with the side locks. Ask your parents for help if you have never used a power tool before. It’s best to do this outside or in a garage as the plastic bits may go everywhere. Drill out each of the zip ties holes. Once you are done with the drill, power off and UNPLUG. This is for safety, do not skip this step.
Once the holes are drilled, attach the cutting tool to the Dremel. If you can adjust the spinning speed, put it on medium setting. Slowly bring the spinning edge to the line that you marked on your lid. If you try to do this too fast, you may bend the tool or cause the disk to break. Go slowly until you get the hang of how much resistant you will get. Going slower also helps preventing a lot of plastic melting.
Once you’ve gone all the way around the lid and the air hole is created, turn off the Dremel and UNPLUG. This is for safety, do not skip this step. The cutting wheel may be hot, be careful where you put it down.
Once the cut piece of lid is removed, take your safety knife and trim the edges. Remove any melted plastic from the edges of the air hole, topside and underside. It should be smooth when you run your hand over so as not to cut your hamster.
Lay the mesh over the zip tie holes with the curve of the mesh facing down. If it curves up, it will be harder to cover with tap and you may cut yourself. Drop the zip ties into the holes, the head of the zip tie should stop it from going through the hole completely. Once all the zip ties are in place and the holes line up, you can start securing the zip ties. Make sure the zip ties are turned that that they lie flat on the lid once tight. Once they are all secure, clip the long ends of the zip ties to about a half inch in length.
Now is the time to wash or hose down your bin, some bits of melted plastic may have attached to the inside of the bin during the cutting process. Run your hand along the inside and make sure you do not feel any bumps. Spraying the bin down and using a paper towel to wipe it down during this process helps to remove the bumps. Clean the lid as well. Unscented Dawn dish soap can make this process easier. Dry off the lid and the bin completely.
Cover the ends of the mesh and zip ties with duct tape to prevent any injuries on the outside of the lid. Some people also cover the zip ties on the inside to prevent chewing, but I can tell you from personal experience if your hamster can reach the duct tape, they will chew on it and the zip ties so it’s not worth it to have your hamster accidentally ingest duct tape. Just replace the zip tie if your hamster finds it fun to chew on.
That’s it, you have a bin cage! Your cage is now ready to be filled with accessories and bedding!
For a good laugh, go to the Home Depot website and read the REVIEWS of the Sterilite Bin. I bet the manufacturer never thought this would be the most popular use!
. I think the cardboard can work for all other species at least, and preferable to an open top. I was considering open for mine as I was feeling a bit lazy, but I've had enough experiences with escaped hamsters to not want to chance it. The soft mesh is definitely chewable, so again not feasible for a Syrian that can easily reach, but I think the height plus a basic barrier, even out of cardboard, duct tape, and a soft mesh, would be plenty for even high bedding and an adventurous dwarf hamster. And in a way, maybe preferable, as I feel the steel mesh is a bit too open for my comfort.