Chin got out of cage and is lost

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Z

Ziora

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Joined
Nov 24, 2009
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176
Location
Georgia
My daughter took Myrna with her to her dad's. I sent a cage with everything for her to keep her safe while there. Sometime last night the chin got out of her cage and they can't find her. I wish I could be there to help, but I can't. I've told her to start low and look up high. Look in drawers, under, and behind everything. She said she's been looking for hours and no sign, not even poop trails.

What can I tell her to help find Myrna in their house? I'm not going to get too upset yet, because I know how easy it is for her to slip away. At my house, I had a room chin-proofed and even turning my back for a few seconds, Myrna would quickly disappear, but I knew exactly where to look. Still I got a panic feeling, because she would get totally silent and curl up into the shadows.
 
Oh no, I hope they find her. Tell her to put out the dust bath and see if that helps to attract her or some kind of treat or hay, but the dust bath is what works for my boys.
 
I've been doing online searches for tips and will tell her to leave the dustbath out. I'm trying not to cry because I want to stay positive, but it's not working very well :(
 
I would agree with the dust bath, tap on the top of it when you set it down. That always makes my boys come running.

If they eat rosehips or any kind of treat shake the treat bag too, that can as well.
 
also tell them not to leave any doors open AND not to move any heavy furniture as the chin may be behind something and they will crush her.
 
If there are holes in the bottom of the furniture or mattresses, chins will go in there. They will go up inside recliners. They will go under anything and everything. You know where I find the chins when they get loose in my house, and I mean every time? They run up behind my radiator heaters. The heat will be blasting out of those suckers and the chins hide there every time.

Look behind dressers. Look IN dressers. Most dressers don't have bottoms and my chins delight in going under the dressers, then they climb up the back of the drawers and burrow into my clothes. Carefully pull each drawer out and look in and under them. Look behind the fridge and under the stove.

Set the cage on the floor with the door open, fresh food and hay plus a spare dust bath in it. I've had chins that will sit outside their cages, wanting to get back in after they have had the run through the house/barn.

Check under the cupboards to be sure there are no holes that she can squeeze into as well. Keep toilet lids down and after checking the bathrooms, shut the doors.

The chin is there somewhere, don't panic. Always leave food and water out, so even if you don't catch her right away, she can eat and drink. She'll turn up eventually. They always do. :)
 
Thanks for the advice. I wish I could be there to search. I'm also going to tell her to sleep in the floor near the cage and dust bath because she loves to hop around on us when we're on the floor. She said her room door was closed and she has a platform bed, but I KNOW that chin is in the house and will be found.
 
Just a quick tip. Keep doors to rooms closed so that the chin is limited to one room. Placing treats or food in each room will help you to determine which room he is in.
 
Set the cage on the floor with the door open, fresh food and hay plus a spare dust bath in it. I've had chins that will sit outside their cages, wanting to get back in after they have had the run through the house/barn.
Click to expand...

That is how I caught one of my chins............he was thirsty and his cage had the water bottle in it!
 
This is a case where and extra special treat is in order. Put a raisin and a dust bowl in every room and shut the door. When you find which room she is in for sure you can then start the search. First key is to narrow down what room they are in
 
I had a chin escape a few years back for an entire week - he got into the ducts of our house and would not come out. I didn't see him for one week before he reappeared in the chin room...he wanted water. Even if they are gone for an extended period of time, they come out. Just make sure that there's no way for the chin to get outside.

Check behind everything...some chins like to wedge themselves into the strangest places.

The chinnie will be alright, just keep looking...
 
It's very encouraging to hear you found your chin after a week, Susan. I talked to her dad today and told him everything I've read and offered suggestions on where to look. We are going to try every one of these suggestions until she is found. I told my daughter to not lose hope and to keep looking! She will be there until Wednesday.
 
Oh wow. I've never heard the dust bath and treat in every room with door closed trick before.

My trio got out not long ago and they had a good time in the chinnies room. They got in the dust baths, and knocked the container of dust off the shelf, busting the lid and had dust in the floor (on carpet) they played in it. Got in some of the toys and everything. That night it was very cold out and daddy had the high on like 80 but lucky all 3 stayed in the chinnies room.

I hope they find her soon. Keep us posted
 
I really hope the chin is found. Try checking behind beds, under furniture, and around carpeted areas. My chin has never escaped, but I know he loves carpets... I hope this helps.
 
No chin yet. My daughter said she thinks Myrna took a dust bath last night because there were footprints in the dust, but no dust on the floor. Still, that is encouraging.
 
Thanks Michelle, and everyone else for your responses. Tonight, they are going to set out dust baths in every room along with a raisin and small slice of dried apple I sent over there. I sure hope she comes to eat and bathe, and will hopefully leave a few poops afterward. It's been 2 nights and 3 days now :( My phone doesn't leave me because I'm waiting to get that call saying...she's ok! I know they are all upset and all I can do is offer advice and hope she is found. They've looked everywhere they can think of and are sure she didn't get outside. By now, Myrna probably knows every inch of the house.
 
Sad. Just talked with my daughter. Myrna is gone. She said they sometimes leave the backdoor open. No sign of poops. Myrna is inquisitive and she would have turned up by now. When it rains it pours. One of my cats is sick too.
 
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