Having just got a whole load of Persian Jirds – we shall be exploring the different types of cages suitable for them.
We have assumed from their characters and behaviours that they will be wanting a set up similar to chinchillas and degus – but we also have read that they still like digging. Not sure how those two can combine easily without a bit of handiwork on the owners part?
We are trialling a new cage ourselves – as well as getting feedback from other Persian owners – but it seems as though most UK owners are trially a more gerbil-type set up (large tank or large indoor rabbit cage). We however are going for a more rat-like enclosure.
Mambles 100cm Cage – from the LittlePetWarehouse
This cage is a Mambles 100 (c.100cm x 70cm x 50) and it allows for plenty of bouncing and climbing space – and to experiment with different enrichment types.
It is very easy to assemble and comes with plenty of accessories (although mainly plastic) however, we don’t intend on using them long term – just worth an experiment seeing as they are included in the cost of the cage.
We always love the tray toilets – but seeing as these are the most cleaned out area – basically spot cleaning these (rather than the whole cage everytime) it seems rather silly that this doesnt fit out through one of the doors? That way you can just slip the toilet out – clean – and replace without a fuss. Whereas if you use it you would either need to try to clean it in situ (very difficult) or take the entire cage off the shelf to lift the whole cage part off the base?
Not really worth it for a quick fix – and to be honest – once these cages are filled with goodies like ledges and wheels – they can’t be safely lifted by one person. Perhaps they need a toilet rethink?
We do however, love the way this type of cage has the two large doors for access – so not only can we easily reach into all areas of the cage while it is still on the shelf without opening up the entire front (like with the Critter Nation type cages) but we can use them as a ramp for playtime – (soon to be covered after foot-slipping) modelled here by Jaffar:
As we can do trials now – we are starting with two types of cage set ups for testing – firstly the fleece option and secondly the tubes.
Option 1: The fleece blanket for the base instead of a substrate.
Jirds – like most rodents – are happy to kick out tonnes of their substrate, food and poo all over the floor every night. Nothing a good vacuum won’t sort out, but not fun – and potentially declan material if this falls into the cage below.
So, we thought we would try something different:
As you can see we are using fleece for the base (we usually use cardboard chips (Pillow Wad Eco-Nest)) and several (kiln-dried) pine ledges and platforms around the sides. There is also a hammock and cargo net in there as well as a fleece cube for the nest (which they already love and will be moved over from their existing cage with them).
You will see we have trialled the plastic corner ledge and tubing that come with the cage – although as rats and degus typically chew less than Persian Jirds – so we shall keep a close eye on them.
Mambles 100 Cage Review – after 5 months:
Cage itself: 5/10 Internal Set-Up: 9/10 Useability: 7/10
Cage – they can chew! Basically, without internally protecting the inside corners – Persian Jirds can easily chew out of them at will. The plastic is so thin that the whole cage is useless once chewed and there aren’t any precautions wou can currently take to securely protect these inside edges (unless you make something yourself?). The company also do not sell replacement bases, so although the value for money seemed great at first – it seems that unless you can patch up the holes (and prevent chewing in the other 3 corners) – your Mambles was one-use only?
Internal Set-up – they love the ledges and the open spaces – I added further branches, perches and soft beds – so they can really bound about the place. The only downside was the fleece as they chewed it – a lot – and started sleeping inside it. Not a hug problem on it’s own of course – and possibly avoidable with single skin fleeces – but when they drop all their food and hay in it – it is impossible to wash and re-use.
Useability – this cage has its issues – but accessing the jirds, changing food, water and sandbaths as well as scooping out their poop shelf (they didn’t poo in the toilets – they built a nest in them?) was very good. They were quite noisy door latches but did allow for entrance and exit ramps at play time as was originally thought. They are however very bulky and trying to attach ramps and things on to the back wall using only the front hatch proved very difficult although not impossible – but would be impossible if you were setting things up or repairing things with the jirds still inside. They are also too heavy for one person to lift off the shelf when in use and can be a pain for making adjustments to the insides too without taking the whole thing apart.
Option 2: Pillow Wad Eco-Nest substrate and suspended tunnels.
We also bought a second Mambles which we are using with more of a traditional set up in – with the normal substrate and ledges – but with suspended giant plastic tubes – something we have never considered at all before.
Lets see what they end up doing with them?
We were also considering perspex edges around the bases of the cages to stop overspill of materials, but we can’t currently get hold of any!
More to come once we have seen the jirds in action…
UPDATE October 2020:
We have come up with an idea to protect the tinside corners AND prevent overspill of the substrate?
Watch this space!