Chinchilla Exercise Wheel

Is there a way I can make a metal exercise wheel for my chin? He has chewed through two plastic ones, and won't use the metal one with bars on the side (guess they feel cluttered in those). I've been looking around online and cannot find one for less than $80-150. I have found an aluminum 15"x 4" deep cake pan that I want to use, but can't really think of a way to secure it to the side of the cage. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

try this one

http://www.chincessories.com/cageaccessories.htm (bottom of the page, homemade wheel $22)

we have a couple of silver surfers and a chin spin we got used - all pretty good/ durable wheels, but I am planning on getting one of these to try out also. I believe the breeder we got our first chins from had one of these homemade wheels also and she seemed pretty happy with it... hope this helps!

you definitely want to stay away from plastic wheels and the ones with bars on 'em (one your chins will eat, the other can cause foot/ leg injuries)

Here's the link to the silver surfer grape escape ($54.95)...

http://www.chinchillas.com/estore/detail.aspx?ID=106

If you end up purchasing the one linked above, be prepared for it to be very loud.

I had the same problem with Bella last year. After a dreaded month of searching, I found a metal/mesh one on sale at our local petco. It was under $20 and she loves it! No spokes, and the mesh is tight enough to where her toes and paws cant get caught between them

TheLittlestNinjaChin said:

I had the same problem with Bella last year. After a dreaded month of searching, I found a metal/mesh one on sale at our local petco. It was under $20 and she loves it! No spokes, and the mesh is tight enough to where her toes and paws cant get caught between them

Click to expand...

It is this one?



Even the largest one they offer is way too small in diameter and will cause damage to her back in the long run. I can't imagine how even a young/small chinchilla can comfortably run on an 11 inch wheel. The mesh, while not large enough to get a leg stuck, can rip off toes.

While this isn't the same wheel, it is similar, and it's the same size. Watch how the chinchilla "runs" on the wheel.

http://youtu.be/pyMJ3-YXBJk

Now watch a chinchilla run on a larger/safe wheel.

http://youtu.be/DCNutOYP7u4

It's completely different. You can see how much more comfortable the chin is on the chin spin. You can also see how much faster they can run (this is slow compared to some I've seen) and how they can actually stretch out and run correctly.

Chin spins are $70, completely safe, last a really long time, and are much quieter than a homemade wheel would be. Also making a wheel might end up costing close to that amount anyway.

http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1802

You could also get a metal flying saucer but not all chins take to them and they are a little more expensive.

http://www.flyingsaucerwheels.com/index.html

Both are occasionally on sale by members here or on Craigslist etc, so look around before you buy a new one!

Sandi said:

Here's the link to the silver surfer grape escape ($54.95)...

http://www.chinchillas.com/estore/detail.aspx?ID=106

If you end up purchasing the one linked above, be prepared for it to be very loud.

Click to expand...

Do you use these Sandi? Do you know how they're comparable to chin spins?

(someone has a 3 year birthday coming up...)

Luci said:

Do you use these Sandi? Do you know how they're comparable to chin spins?

(someone has a 3 year birthday coming up...)

Click to expand...

I prefer the Silver Surfers to the Chin Spins. I've had a Silver Surfer in a cage with 5 chins for over 4 years and never had an issue with it. I have Chin Spins that have needed bearings to be replaced after 2 years with 2 chins.