Natural Hammies

[Caitandcritters]

I've decided to try something new with my younger 4 hams, Betty, Lola, KeKe, and Stella. Pearl I feel would just be stressed out, she's not doing so well in her old age.

Today is cleaning day, so I went to go dump the hamster's old bedding in the compost pile, when I realized our grass needed to be cut, BADLY. So I plucked some up for the rabbits, they enjoyed that, and then I realized.. Why can't I use this as bedding? So I grabbed up a bit of it, sifted through it for bugs and sticks and leaves, and it's now in their bin as a substrate. I added a bit of dirt as a bottom layer, and a few sticks off an apple tree we have around here (sterilized). I accidently uprooted a clump of grass with roots and dirt still attached, so I potted it and added it in there, as well.

So far, so good! All four are running around exploring it. I added two crickets I had left over from babysitting the geckos, and they went ga-ga over those!

The bin, and Betty
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h9.jpg

Lola checking things out
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/hhh.jpg

Lola diving for a cricket!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/hh3.jpg

Betty checking out the sticks
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h3.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h4.jpg

KeKe, Stella, and Lola enjoying some hammy stir fry. (Cage cleaning day is ALSO treat food day)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h2.jpg

KeKe and Stella
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h6.jpg

KeKe wanting out for pets
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h.jpg

And here's ol Pear, enjoying her hammy stir fry as well. She's looking poorly lately, poor old thing.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c396/Caitsfunrries/Hams/h1.jpg

I'm fairly happy that they are happy with the results so far.

[pinkpink33]

well they seem to be enjoying it! betty and the grey ham (stella maybe) are gorgeous, i love their colouring!
so did they chase after the crickets? and eat them? or just play with them?!!

[Caitandcritters]

Stella is the blue, yes. :) Betty is the other three's mom. Lola is a dove, KeKe is red eyed lilac, and Stella is blue.

They ate the crickets! LOL It was hilarious, like they knew exactly what those hoppy things were for! Of course, the crickets gave a good chase, but somehow the hamsters caught them. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I buy crickets, heh.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that my grass is not treated with anything. Hamster safe!

[Geminigirl]

Awww they look so happy.

[CookieDough24]

Wow, that's a good idea. They look very content with their new bedding! I might just steal this idea from you and try it out, but not until the babies are lots older. :) You get the award for most creative use of grass. :D

[Caitandcritters]

You get the award for most creative use of grass.

Woot woot!

They really seem to be enjoying it. They've made a pretty impressive nest so far.

Their toys dried ( I washed em) so now they have all their toys back and are having fun making them smelly again.

[CookieDough24]

Haha, they seem to be good at making things smelly :) But ya gotta love 'em!

[Ky86]

How long have you had them? (Just wondering since I haven't ever seen someone else using the name Keke [my hamster's name])

They are adorable. Looks like they are enjoying the grass.

[Caitandcritters]

Thanks. :)

Well, KeKe was born December 22 or 23rd, and Stella and Lola were born 2 weeks before that. (Big mix up, long story, ha.) I had always loved the name KeKe, and it fit her just right.