The location of the rodent enclosure in the home should be a draught-free and vibration-free place. Care should be taken to ensure that the animals are not disturbed in their day-night rhythm.
It is better to place the enclosure in an elevated position so that you are at eye level with the animals. This way, the keeper does not approach the enclosure from above (like a bird of prey) and the animals are less stressed.
The enclosure should also not be placed behind a window with strong sunlight so that it does not overheat.
Smoking should not be allowed in the room where the animals are kept.

We recommend at least a 100 cm long rodent glass for dwarf hamsters and 120 cm for golden and teddy hamsters.
The legal size is far below this size, but a size of 60 × 30 cm cannot be considered animal-friendly.

In addition, the law stipulates the following for the enclosure: Hiding places, a burrow layer of at least 15 cm, climbing facilities (hamsters do not know height, so do not build over 10 cm high), nesting material and natural wood or softwood for tooth abrasion.

The enclosure should be robust and escape-proof to protect the rabbits or guinea pigs from predators and escape attempts.
Make sure that the enclosure is secured both upwards and downwards (against undermining).
Ensure that there is sufficient protection from the sun, rain and wind. A weatherproof shelter offers a place to retreat in all weathers.

Rabbits need plenty of space to hop and jump, guinea pigs need lots of hiding places so that they feel safe.

The enclosure must be at least 100x50x70cm in size (5 animals) - we recommend 100x50x100cm for a group of 3 octogons.
There must be a bedding height of 30 cm over the entire area.
Hiding places must be available for all animals.
Hay and straw must be offered as food, and fresh branches are important for tooth abrasion.
A sand belt to cover comfort behaviour is also anchored in the Animal Welfare Ordinance.

Comfort behaviour includes all activities that serve to care for the fur and body. This includes cleaning and licking their fur and taking sand or sun baths. For many rodents and smaller mammals, a sand bath is an essential part of their regular grooming behaviour. Bathing in sand removes dirt, excess moisture and grease from the fur and skin. For certain animal species, such as degus, chinchillas, Mongolian gerbils and various types of hamsters, providing a sand bath is a legal requirement.

Certain legal regulations must be observed when keeping hamsters to ensure their welfare:
Hiding places provide retreats for safety.
A burrow layer of at least 15 cm allows natural burrowing behaviour.
Climbing facilities (be careful not to build above a drop height of 10 cm)
Nesting material supports the need for a cosy place to sleep.
Nibbling objects such as softwood or fresh branches are important for tooth abrasion and activity.

Rabbits and rabbits have a gizzard. The stomach is only weakly muscled and cannot actively transport the food further. This means that their digestive system can only keep moving, and the food can only be processed if new food is eaten and refilled regularly.

The following animal species belong to the herbivorous rodents:

The digestive system of herbivorous creatures, characterised by continuously growing teeth, a less pronounced stomach and a large appendix, has evolved to process simple, plant-based food. Primary food sources include hay, various types of grass and herbs.

Leaf-eating species show an increased susceptibility to diabetes, which requires special attention in their diet. It is important to avoid foods that contain fructose or are sweetened with honey to prevent health risks.

Seed-eating rodents such as hamsters, dwarf hamsters, gerbils, coloured mice and rats are often referred to as "granivorous". These animals are characterised by a high metabolism, which requires a nutritious and energy-rich diet. Grains and seeds therefore form the basis of their diet and provide them with the energy they need for their daily activities.

In addition to plant-based components, the supply of animal protein is also essential for these rodents. Small amounts of animal products such as crickets or mealworms are important components of their diet, as they help to cover their protein requirements and support their metabolism.

Sugar (including fructose) must not be given to the following animals: Dwarf hamsters, degu and chinchillas - all these species are particularly susceptible to diabetes. However, other rodents and rabbits must also be given a balanced diet. Too much sugar not only leads to diabetes, but also to the animals becoming overweight.

Salt and mineral stones are not used for tooth abrasion, but are sources of important minerals. It is recommended that rodent stones enriched with kibble or parsley are not used. Recent studies prove that the number of small rodents with urinary and kidney stones is increasing, caused by an excessive intake of minerals that the body does not need and consequently stores.

Salt and mineral stones should be available to the animals so that they can utilise them as required. In the wild, animals would meet their mineral requirements by licking stones or eating mineral-rich soil. By adding kibble or other supplements, the animal could be tempted to consume more of these stones than its natural needs and thus no longer pay attention to the actual needs of its body.

The provision of mineral and salt stones should be seen as a kind of safety net to ensure that animals have access to these essential substances if they are needed. A species-appropriate and balanced diet usually covers the daily requirement of these minerals.

Vitamins are important nutrients that the body cannot produce itself and must be taken in with food. They control important functions of the organism. Multi-vitamins should only be offered to the animals once a week, as the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body (overdosing is possible).

Guinea pigs need pure vitamin C every day in the form of fresh food or as additional drops in the water.

With this hay, JR Farm makes its contribution to an intact insect world because these meadows are not mown before 15 June. Until then, the colourful wild flowers, grasses and herbs remain in full bloom and the insects and bees can help themselves to this fragrant natural buffet. Only then is this natural meadow hay harvested, which is particularly rich in crude fibre and contains many herbs due to the long growing season.

Hay consists of dried grasses and herbs harvested from meadows. It serves as staple food for pure herbivores and should always be available.
Hay is not only important for herbivores, seed-eaters also need it, especially to promote natural tooth abrasion. Due to the lower energy content of hay and green fodder compared to seeds, for example, herbivorous animals need to consume larger quantities to fulfil their energy requirements.

Straw is an agricultural by-product consisting mainly of the dry stalks of cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats and rye after the grains have been harvested. Straw is used as bedding, but is also eaten by rodents.

When buying hay, it is important to pay attention to various factors to ensure quality. The hay should be well dried to avoid mould growth and have a fresh smell. A greenish colour is ideal, while a pale or yellow colour may indicate overstocking or poor harvesting conditions. Hay should be free of weeds, thorns, and other foreign matter to prevent damage to rodents. It is also significant that the hay is as dust-free as possible, as dust can cause respiratory problems in the animals. A good mixture of leaves and stems is a prerequisite for a balanced diet. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

Long hair is not innate in rodents in nature, but is a form of breeding. Long-haired animals must be combed and brushed daily, otherwise the fur will become matted. The coat can be groomed well with a comb or a plucking brush. Knots can also be cut out.

It is important to check the length growth of claws and nail teeth every month. If the claws are excessively long, they can be carefully trimmed with special pliers. Special care should be taken not to damage the blood vessels running through the claws.

The bedding must be changed regularly. The cleaning interval varies depending on the animal species. Rat and mouse urine has an intense odour and the enclosures must be cleaned up to twice a week. With rabbits, it is frequently only possible to change the faeces corner and the rest as required. Hamster and gerbil enclosures should not be changed so often, otherwise the animals will no longer feel comfortable. When changing the bedding, always leave some old bedding in the enclosure.

For transport, it is essential to capture the animals in a species-appropriate and calm manner to minimise stress.

The transport should take place in a specially designed transport box, whereby the duration of the transport must be kept as short as possible. Special care must be taken when catching the animals: Under no circumstances should rabbits be lifted by the ears or fur to avoid injury. It is also important not to grab gerbils and degus by the tail, as this can lead to the skin being torn off and the tail dying. Instead, gentle gripping techniques should be used to hold the animal safely and without harm. It is advisable to find out in advance about the specific needs and correct handling of each species to ensure the welfare of the animals during transport.