Cage Questions

[MommyofChiChi]

I feel like ChiChi's cage is too small! He's only 7months old though. But here is a picture showing you around his cage. Let me know if you think it's too small. He has a ledge, wheel, and a big turtle rock to sit on and lay under and even has a hammock!

 

[alooper19]

The problem I have with this cage is all the plastic. Chins like to chew on plastic and eat it! Have you thought about getting a different cage? Ferret Nation or Critter Nations are great choices. You can even buy just one level instead of the double level.

 

[EternallyCynical]

Looks like you've got lots of length, but vertical space is more important for chins. As was already mentioned, the plastic is concerning, and knowing these types of cages, the wires probably are not very strong/durable either. Might be okay for a short time, but I would advise upgrading in the near future to something sturdier and made of metal. A CN or FN can be found in a variety of places and with a few modifications are much better for chins.

 

[akane]

CNs have some minor issues. Occasionally the newest version doesn't go together right. We just spent 2 days filing and banging ours together. The bars also break or bend easy. A FN is a little better. A used old style bolt together FN is sturdier and actually easier to put together despite needing a drill or lots of hand screwing. Quality Cages is another option. They have a ton of different sizes and shapes.

 

[EternallyCynical]

CNs have some minor issues. Occasionally the newest version doesn't go together right. We just spent 2 days filing and banging ours together. The bars also break or bend easy. A FN is a little better. A used old style bolt together FN is sturdier and actually easier to put together despite needing a drill or lots of hand screwing. Quality Cages is another option. They have a ton of different sizes and shapes.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had issues putting together the CN! I had to put together my 2 level CN by myself and had a hard time getting it to fit together correctly. I thought I was just having issues because I had no help and my skills at building anything are sort of terrible. I had to use a rubber mallet on a lot of it, but its been sturdy now that its together..... when I head off to college or university, there is no way I'm taking that thing apart to move it. I'll never get it back together again! Might look at replacing with a FN once I'm on my own, but also sorta tempted to keep in case I wind up with kits or decide I want rats or something down the road. We'll see...

 

[Yuudoku.Niji]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had issues putting together the CN! I had to put together my 2 level CN by myself and had a hard time getting it to fit together correctly. I thought I was just having issues because I had no help and my skills at building anything are sort of terrible. I had to use a rubber mallet on a lot of it, but its been sturdy now that its together..... when I head off to college or university, there is no way I'm taking that thing apart to move it. I'll never get it back together again! Might look at replacing with a FN once I'm on my own, but also sorta tempted to keep in case I wind up with kits or decide I want rats or something down the road. We'll see...

I bought a 2 level CN almost a year ago and I had no problem putting it together(though it was broken on one side, but still able to be put together and be sturdy and all, and I was sent another by the company and that one was fine and was even easier to put together than the first!). I also take mine apart quite often to clean and move it and such.

 

[akane]

My husband whacked the bottom cage most of the way together last night but couldn't get everything to go in far enough to be even. He then looked up the fact that lots of people are filing down the connections to get it together. It wouldn't come back apart though. He had to wedge a screwdriver between pieces and then hit that with the mallet. He gave up a little before 9 to avoid bothering the downstairs neighbors and charge the drill. During lunch today he used the drill and grinding wheels to make the connections fit better and then whacked it all together again. It's not coming apart.

 

[ninamenke]

When I had a super pet cage when I first got my chin after a couple of months he chewed a hole right through the plastic in one night and got out. Steer clear of plastic.

 

[Lanette001]

I used to have a smallish cage. I'd say take the extra room you have in width and put that to height and that is what I had. He was fine in it, but after a couple months I ended up getting an FN 182. Once I set it up and put him in it, he was so happy he was popcorning around! He is currently 6 months old. Of course, it comes with plastic. So, you can take out all the plastic and replace it with wooden shelves (hand made or purchased through a supplier) or cover the plastic shelves with fleece as long as your chin does not chew fleece. I have done a little bit of both. I have the two level and the middle pan and bottom pan are wrapped in fleece then I have wooden shelves. Here are some pics.

 

[Godofgods]

what is that object on the second shelf left side in the back? Kinda looks like an edible hut (minus the hay roof). - I only ask because i used one for a long time before i realized that they are made with honey. It caused a lot of digestive problems for my chin who chewed on it. Fourtionitly it stopped when i took it out.