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[Camogirl83]

I was just given an old, but very large ferret cage. The first thing I did was throw out the plastic shelves and plastic fasteners. I am going to get metal fasteners, but I was just wondering two things:

1) Could I use metal to make the shelves or should I stick with wood? I have seen a few chinchilla cages that have metal shelves, but most people say to use wood and I currently have woodern shelves. (I know not to use wire shelves.) If I can use metal, what kind is the best?

2) Could I put metal screening on the inside of the cage to help keep down the mess? If so would there be any kind, (besides coated, which I know not to use), that I couldn't use?

Thanks in advance for your advice! Happy Holiday

[ABC Chinchillas]

I am not sure about the screen. probably could'nt  hurt. I would stick with wood though

[mylittlechinchilla]

I don't think I would use screen, it is too close to wire.

What kind of Ferret Cage do you have?  I have a few that have been convered to chinchilla cages.  All plastic and ramps were removed and replaced with pine.  It works as good as any other cage.

[Camogirl83]

I think it is a Care Pet? Not sure, but think that is what it says on the base. It has a purple base and black wire. I was not going to use the wire where the chins would be walking, I was going to put it up on the side of the cage so that they didn't chew on the cage coating and to keep their poopies from falling out. I have to put this cage in area that gets more traffic than the old smaller cage and my roommate doesn't want the poopies all over the floor.

Thanks! 

[mylittlechinchilla]

I bet it is a super pet cage.  You can replace everything easily with kiln dried pine ledges.  They are pretty good cages.

[Jo Ann]

  Chinchillas should never be in a high traffic area ... they are nocturnal animals and need their daytime sleep.

Ferret cages should never be used for a chinchilla.  The wires are usually coated and to far apart.  Putting wire mesh over the cage wire will not protect the coated wire ... the chins can still chew on it. 

If it is one of those with a purple base ... the base is made of hard plastic ... chinchillas will chew on the plastic and eat it.  Hard plastic will cut the insides of a chinchilla.

Make sure any bedding you use for your chin does NOT have cedar or any kind of odor controllers in it ... the fumes can cause the chins to get an upper respiratory infection.

Wooden shelves are good.  Keep them clean by sanding them.  Do NOT use bleach on them.

If you use metal shelves, do not use aluminum ... aluminum is a soft metal ... chinchillas can chew and consume aluminum.

   Jo Ann