Design Ideas

[HaleyGoBoom]

So I haven't adopted a chinchilla yet, I'm still waiting, although I am hoping that I've found the 'forever' cage (the one in the pictures is not the cage he will be in, I've inquired with a member on a 5 level all wire chinchilla cage.) Ever since I've gotten into chinchillas, I've loved the stuff I've seen people make for them. I have a few design ideas of my own, and just wanted to know if anyone wanted to share any ideas (like crazy day beds) or something like that. I've loved browsing the users items on here, great inspiration.

Alright so my first idea ((sorry for the crappy representation)), I want to do a wooden hide that mounts to the side of the cage ((very sturdily of course)) and to have a hammock sort of like a little porch and a way to get in the hide. So, the box would attach to the side of the cage, the hammock would attach to the bottom of the box at one end, and the other would be suspended from the top of the cage with a chain.


I also have already made an accessory but need to redo it.

It's sort of like a daybed/hide and unfortunately I made this before I realized fleece was the approved fabric! So, a few changes to make to that. The tunnel is actually shaped with excess cage wire as the frame, the edges are smooth though so he wont get cut, you can't see it because it's under the red vinyl, but I thought maybe I should cover it anyways with fleece so it'd be softer.

So yeah, just sharing a few things, any ideas or suggestions or just plain old comments are wanted :]

 

[Dolyphinm]

Those are some awesome ideas. I have learned I am without a doubt the world's slowest person to putting together large ideas so I have partially given up creating stuff...asides that cage I have been working on since ooo August. hehe uhhh yea I really should have just spent the money on the dremel, would have made me less lazy about wire cutting. now its more battle about cutting wood...in an apartment. My neighbors must think I am nuts cutting wood on the balcony.

Gella on here has some awesome fleece ideas. I am envious of her.

Although you might want to consider not have nails in the wood since if the chin chews on it majorly they could expose the sharp part. Non-toxic glue is the preferred way to go.

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Oh that's good advice Dolyphinm, yeah I'll have to find some non toxic glue, I have a lot of drawings I'll scan and post later. So no nails, and non toxic glue, I'm assuming wood glue that's non toxic.

 

[addictedtochins]

Using wire under the tunnel isn't safe, sometimes chins flip, spin and bounce and their feet will be up in the air and will get caught and broken with that. And I'd be afraid that they might ram into the edge so hard the sharp pointy end would poke through the fabric into their face or eye. As for the cube, it'll need something non-chewable to attach it. My chins chewed right through that cord. Grommets and metal shower curtain rings is one way to go.

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Yeah I was thinking of using coffee bean cans to do the half tunnel. All good advice, this is really helpful.

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

I found TiteBond Wood Glue, it says non toxic, though I'm not sure what "non-toxic" is for chinchillas.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I use the TiteBond, mine said non-toxic and approved for food-grade items . It bonds wood together really well .

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Perfect, I think they sell it at ace. So I went and got some wood (kilndriedpineofcourse!), 4 ft of a sturdy lil chain (can hold up to 10 pnds), and I'll go to ace tomorrow to get the TightBond, then I'll post my creations for all to see.