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[Jenova]

http://www.animalanticsonline.com/ViewItem.php?ItemID=838

My boyfriend has given me almost enough to get it, just a little more to save up. 

[chinclub]

That is a pretty cage.  We used a parrot cage once for chinchillas.  The wire spacing worked well for adults but not for babies.  The only negatives were since there were no horizontal bars we couldn't put in shelves to jump on.    We ended up having to build a free standing, multilevel, playhouse for them which was a pain to clean!  Also, since it is not designed to hold shavings we had a time figuring out to do that.  We ended up getting rid of the cage after a few months.

[Jenova]

I've actually seen this cage converted for chinchillas and as it does have a few horizontal bars it works well. From what I can see anyway.  
I'm going to keep the bottom floor mesh and put shavings in the draw bit.

Oh and I'm not having any more babies. I've found a really good exotic vet and decided to get Chong castrated. It's taken me over a year to make the decision, but I think the risk is worth it for his happiness. I hope I'm making the right decision.

[chinclub]

  I can't wait to see it with your chinnies in it.  I'm sure they will love it.  Post some pictures once you get them moved in. 

[Jenova]

I will!
I want to move them all in together as it will be neutral space. So if everything goes to plan that should be the end of February. 

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Beautiful, can't wait to see pics. 

[Jenova]

I have it and I can't believe how big it is! Almost double both of my original cages put together.

I'm just having trouble finding two shelves for it, they need to be 17.5 inches X 26 inches. They'll be the main two floors and the rest is going to be small shelves and toys. My brother hooked up some supports in the roof to hang a tube from as well. I can't wait until it's done.

[Hoppinchins]

That does look like a pretty neat cage! 

[Jenova]

Apparently the only thing I can get in the size I need is pine board, which is pine stuck together.
I might have to rethink my shelf plans.

[Jo Ann]

I want to move them all in together as it will be neutral space. So if everything goes to plan that should be the end of February.  

Shelves can be made from 6" deep by 1" thick boards cut in length to fit the size needed (these boards can often be found in liengths from one foot to 12 feet long) ... just make the grooves in the sides of the wood that need to be mounted against the wire of the cage. Making the groves so that they will fit snugly in place and using finder washers and wood screws will usually hold a shelf in place.   Always use solid wood ... pressed wood or wood pieces put together usually are done so by the use of glue ... often toxic glue.

How many chins do you have? Are they males or females? How many of each? Regardless of age, will there be more than one male in the cage?

Sorry about all the questions ... looking forward to seeing the cage with the chins in it!

  Jo Ann

Just realized ... this is my 2500th post.  

[Jenova]

Well I'm almost done! All I have left to do is put some more shelves near the floor. Just got the parrot perches in there at the moment but don't worry they're not staying there! I ran out of wood and it was getting too late to drill anyway. (I live in a middle terrace house ) I ended up just using planks and fitting them together. The only problem I found when the girls tested my work so far was the mesh floor is too wide and I'm worried about them hurting their feet. I'll either get some smaller mesh to put over it, or just take it out. Haven't decided yet.

I've got four chins now mum and dad and two babies, both girls. Chong my little boy has been so upset trying to get to the girls I've made the descision to get him neutered. He's going to a specialist exotic vets on Wednesday and I'm really upset about it. I hope it all works out well but I know the risks are fairly big. You have to wish him lots of luck.

So when it's finished the three girls Cheech, Snake and Big Boss will be going in and when Chong is no longer 'ahem' fertile I'm going to begin bonding again.

Here it is so far...

The full cage. It's just under 6 foot tall. 


A close up of the roof and the tube holder by brother rigged up. Big Boss approved.


And a view of some of the shelves.


Can't wait til it's done.

[Jo Ann]

   It is beautiful!   

There is no way, that I know of, to make the wire "walls" safe for them ... just keep your fingers crossed that there will not be an accident while playing and bouncing around on the cage 'walls'.  Hopefully they will be careful and not break a leg.   

I would add 1/2" x 1/2"  mesh wire to the bottom for safety.  I would also leave a couple of boards laying on the bottom to avoid the constant exposure to a wire bottom.

I've got four chins now mum and dad and two babies, both girls. Chong my little boy has been so upset trying to get to the girls I've made the descision to get him neutered. He's going to a specialist exotic vets on Wednesday and I'm really upset about it. I hope it all works out well but I know the risks are fairly big.  You have to wish him lots of luck.

 He will stay in my prayers.  I do hope the vet has much experience in neutering male chinchillas ... it is very risky.  Please keep us posted.

    Jo Ann

[Hoppinchins]

thats a really nice cage.

[Jo Ann]

     A little advice ...

Chong my little boy has been so upset trying to get to the girls I've made the descision to get him neutered. He's going to a specialist exotic vets on Wednesday and I'm really upset about it. I hope it all works out well but I know the risks are fairly big.  You have to wish him lots of luck.

CAUTION:  Chinchillas having had surgery or a broken limb, is much like any other animal ... if it itches, burns or hurts (as most wounds will) they will try to chew off the cast or the stitches that are sticking him, or the scab as it heals, because as it heals, it draws/tightens and hurts the tender area.  

As it heals and/or they feel a little better, they can become more active ... bump the injured area ... and due to the unexpected pain, loose their balance or footing and fall off of, or on to, a hard object in their regular cage that can cause additional damage ... even worse than the original injury.  

It is best to put them in a very small single level cage that is confining ... and give him extra closely supervised free time ... at least until they are almost completely healed.  Below is a cage I use as a recovery/isolation cage when one has been injured.    This is small and confining, but safe.  The cage below is 18" wide 12" deep and 15" tall.  It is setting in a wooden service tray ... lined with a plastic cutting bord sheet and covered with several layers of paper, to protect the tray.

Often, a collar is needed to keep a little one from chewing at the incision.  If this is needed ... you may need to plan on hand feeding your little one ... this gives them special individual attention and comforts them.    {I believe Debbie has a pattern for the collar.}  

Keep us posted!

   Jo Ann

[Debbie.nl.ca]

I love it.
I'm sure you'll change things a few times before it's all said and done.
I find watching then in a new cage shows me what I/they need where.
The wire bottom hmmmm that's where the pee pan is, under is it? So you can't put a solid floor in there yes? Maybe just put a couple of pieces where they would land getting down. They'll still go to their corner to pee.
Just thinking out loud LOL