I need some creative ideas!!!

danakscully64 · 04-29-2007, 07:33 PM

Okay, here's the story, as short as I can make it:

I have 3 chinchillas, 2 males and a female. I was told by the previous owner of the female that she was a he. I planned on putting all 3 in one large cage. I didn't find out until yesterday that "he" was a she. I'm limited on floor space and wanted to move them into 1 large cage, but now I'm kinda stuck. I was thinking about buying a two compartment cage, but with shipping and everything, its going to be over $200. I figured maybe I could get some ideas in turning Twilight's large cage into a two compartment cage. Here's the picture:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1.../peekcage2.jpg

Here's what I'm thinking: I could move the levels around to block off the center of the cage. The problem: my chinchillas on top wouldn't have a place to pee or poop. I can't take apart the cage and redo it, it just wouldn't work. Does anyone have a suggestion?

Note: I would take out the large plastic tube. I was even considering replacing all of the shelves with something chew-proof. I guess I could replace it with wire, but then the chinchilla on the bottom would be pooped and peed on.

danakscully64 · 04-29-2007, 07:43 PM

Another question... anyone know of any web sites that show how to build a chinchilla cage? I like the ones I keep seeing that are wire and wood.

Like this: http://users.win.be/W0079152/barnabe/cage2.jpg or http://www.chinchillaparkplace.ca/sitepics/cage3.jpg

Candycane · 04-29-2007, 09:11 PM

You said that the males and female are in the same room, right? How have the males been interacting? Has there been any chasing or aggressive behavior?

The reason that I ask is because males (even cagemates) can become very aggressive towards each other in the presence of a female. If/when she goes into heat, this could be even more pronounce. I have two male cagemates who would tear each other apart if they were close enough to a female in heat. I would be very cautious having them in close quarters with the female at least until you know how they react when she's in heat. There are several people who have been able to keep male cagemates together with females in the room but there are a lot who cannot.

danakscully64 · 04-29-2007, 09:18 PM

They've been living side by side for 4 months now without any problems (or at least non I've seen)

I don't know if she's been in heat though. Shadow has no interest in Twilight... it's Midnight I'd worry about.

Candycane · 04-29-2007, 09:28 PM

The best that you can do is keep an eye on them (which I know you will) and make sure to remove the female from the room should they start being aggressive towards each other.

I built my cages out of melamine. It's a pain in the butt to work with because it's so heavy but the cages turned out great.

They would be easily stackable and they are also great because they keep the mess down.

Edit to add the instructions: http://www.pets-on-the-net.com/forum...ad.php?t=14227

You could easily edit this project to make the middle floor a full floor and put a kickplate (for the mess) and a set of doors on the top compartment.

danakscully64 · 04-29-2007, 11:36 PM

Awesome! Do you have a picture of yours that I can see?

Candycane · 04-29-2007, 11:43 PM

There should be pictures on the second page of that thread.

danakscully64 · 04-29-2007, 11:59 PM

Nice! I want to make that! Was it really hard to build? I found a site that sells the instructions for the plan, including how to make drawers. Would this be a waste of $5? http://www.spoiledchins.net/cages.htm I wonder if I could figure out the drawers on my own.

Found this: http://www.hapagirl.com/cage/index.html But I still want a slide-out tray.

danakscully64 · 04-30-2007, 12:06 AM

Can I build a cage out of an old bookcase? I just realized after I posted this that a bookcase wouldn't be deep enough

danakscully64 · 04-30-2007, 12:40 AM

I just found this AMAZING site:

http://www.geocities.com/chinbin.geo/chincage.html

If I can get my grandpa to help me, I can do this!