FN Question.

[Brittney]

My birthday is in a couple of months and on my birthday list I have a home depot shopping spree and a FN cage. I currently have my 3 chinnie boys split up into 2 different cages. Bryson and Ande are together (for now as Ande is becoming a jerk to him) in a QC Mansion and Mr. Charlie is by himself in a Super Pet ferret cage. Well, both cages side-by-side are taking up half of my wall, and I need some room.

I was taking measurements and the FN doesn't seem too much bigger than my QC, but, in pictures of the setups, they look huge.

So question. When I split it in half (Charlie most likely can never be in a trio unless Ande loses his attitude) will there still be plenty of room for my pair to be in a section? I don't want to downgrade them in size or anything, but I need some room!



Also, another question, not pertaining to cages, but I don’t want to open another thread.

Ande is almost a year old or might be older (I’m not sure as he is a rescue), and he has started becoming a jerk to Bryson, his cage mate. They have been together for a while, since Aprilish, and he used to be all lovey to Bryson. Lately, though, he has started chasing Bryson to the point that Bryson has sprayed him. Didn’t know it was possible for males, but I guess it is. He will chase him non-stop to the point Bryson just goes on top of his tube and barks until I come open the door, and he jumps into my arms. I just feel so bad.
Is this a puberty thing he will grow out of, or do I need to separate Ande from Bryson? I currently only have 2 cages. If I need to separate them, Bryson and Charlie get along wonderfully. Could they become cage mates if need be and have Ande as a solitary chin? I’d hate to do that to him since sometimes they are seen cuddling, but I hate having to wake up every morning to Bryson begging me to get him away from Ande.

Thanks!

 

[Chub_Chub]

Half of the FN is 36 x 24 x 24 (or 3 ft by 2 ft by 2 ft).. I think it's a good amount of room for two chins, but I think it will also depend on how much "stuff" you want to fit in there with them. The more stuff there is, the less room for chins to run and play. Take a look at the Ferret Nation club thread, a lot of people have the FN split up and two in each level.

As for your other question.. I had the same thing happen to my boys at the exact time we got the FN.. So they are split up in half the cage each. I really hope my Ziggy grows out of it soon, but some people say on here it could take a year or more for them to calm down when they are in puberty. Keep a close eye on them, excessive fur slip and constant chasing is not good and could be the end of any possible friendship between them.

 

[shubbles]

your two boys would definitely be downsized, but its not like they would be squished. A few shelves, fun chew toys, a house, and a wheel would be just fine for them. Ande on the other hand would LOVE the new transformation, although i don't know if he deserves it. lol. I would say, on the other question now, that maybe in a few weeks try to re-introduce the three cage-mates. You probably know how to introduce the 3 as you have done it before, but you really have nothing to lose, of course if your supervising.Good luck with the three.

 

[AZChins]

You could split the QC if you wanted to. You just need to put boards in to support another pan for the top cage...and put in a door. I've done this a few times with cages to help save people money so that they don't have to buy a new cage or to save them some space. It only takes a few minutes to divide one up.

Ande could grow out of being such a little jerkie pants. He's still pretty young...maybe he could be separated from the other two for a month or two until he settles down?

 

[Stackie]

Also, another question, not pertaining to cages, but I don’t want to open another thread.

Ande is almost a year old or might be older (I’m not sure as he is a rescue), and he has started becoming a jerk to Bryson, his cage mate. They have been together for a while, since Aprilish, and he used to be all lovey to Bryson. Lately, though, he has started chasing Bryson to the point that Bryson has sprayed him. Didn’t know it was possible for males, but I guess it is. He will chase him non-stop to the point Bryson just goes on top of his tube and barks until I come open the door, and he jumps into my arms. I just feel so bad.
Is this a puberty thing he will grow out of, or do I need to separate Ande from Bryson? I currently only have 2 cages. If I need to separate them, Bryson and Charlie get along wonderfully. Could they become cage mates if need be and have Ande as a solitary chin? I’d hate to do that to him since sometimes they are seen cuddling, but I hate having to wake up every morning to Bryson begging me to get him away from Ande.

If Bryson is that scared of Ande to the point of begging to get away, I would separate them immediately. It sounds like Bryson is very stressed out and this can lead to weight loss among other things. Ande chasing him non stop is a huge flag, and Bryson being that scared is also a warning sign that things could start to get worse..separate before something worse happens. You could wake up to a very injured chin if they aren't separated.

Hard telling what his problem is..could be puberty, or the wind could have blown a different direction and Ande decided he hates Bryson now.

What you do after separating is up to you. I wouldn't put Bryson with another chin for a couple weeks to give him some time to relax and cool down. Since he's been bullied for so long, he may act aggressive toward any chin in fear of that chin chasing/attacking him. By giving him a few weeks, you can start over and trying introing to Charlie. I personally have had too many experiences with this..if I have observed a chin being overly aggressive, they stay single.

As for the FN cage, I personally wouldn't put two in one level, but I suppose two could live in it. Is keeping the FN for a pair, and then using the QC for a single an option? That is what I would do. I sacrificed my space a long, long time ago.

 

[TheNobleFight]

I second Stackie's opinion.... Like Chub_Chub said... We had to separate our boys, and I mean like RIGHT THEN. It took 30 seconds for them to go from mild humping and play, to full on death match with fur, pee, and demonic noises.
We were lucky to see it happen, please do not wait for the alternative... It was definitely caused by Ziggy hitting puberty, you could see the reversal in sexual dominance immediately. I do believe that once Ziggy calms down there is a good chance they will be cage friends again. But we knew going into this, that one day they might never get along again. So if you can condition your self to that idea, you will gain a lot more patience. And trust me I know it sucks, having to split cages, playtime, toys etc..


On a side note: We did separate them in the Ferret Nation, but looking back now that was probably a mistake. It would be ideal to separate them completely, in different rooms. This was advice from Susan I have decided to try out after the new chins get settled.

 

[Sugarmama]

One level of a FN is more than enough space for two chins.

I have a few pairs of chins who have a hidey house, fleece tube, lots of ledges, hanging hay boxes....they have plenty of room to run around, jump from ledge to ledge. Half the time, though, they are cuddling as close as they can, snuggling in a hammie or on a ledge. We like to spoil them with massive cages, but the truth is, they just don't need that much space.

 

[Brittney]

Ok, So I currently only have 2 cages (the QC and the Super Pet) which are currently being used. I do want to remove Bryson from Ande as he is stressed out. I have a large dog crate (size big enough for a German Sheppard and then some) that I use only for when my foster is here. As I don't want to use it, it's kind of my last option. I could maybe makeshift that into a temp cage until all settles down.

Question is, should Ande go in it and I put it in a different room, or should Bryson go in it and in a different room?

 

[AZChins]

I'd put Ande in another room if I were separating the chins. That's because he's the instigator! You could probably get Bryson and Charlie together right away without too much of a problem so you wouldn't have to use the crate for very long.

I could come work on your cage sometime. I'll have to see if I have a pan that would work out for it. I swear I wouldn't totally mangle your cage!

 

[TheNobleFight]

Brittney,
Susan just gave me a cage that you can use until you can acquire another one.
I was going to use it to swap with a super pet cage, but since it is metal I would rather give it to you (metal cages are easier to disinfect).
Let me know if it will help... Here is a pic of it

I hope that's OK with you Susan...

http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=popup_image&pID=612

 

[AZChins]

There's a funny story about that...

Brittney already has a cage that I forced someone else to take...and that person was happy to let her have that cage. LOL Brittney could potentially end up with two cages that I forced people to take! LOL

I love it! And, you know what will happen? Those cages will end up right back here on my front porch. When I finally lose my mind completely, you will know why...it will be because all the cages keep coming right back, like they have little minds of their own...

It's the plot for the not all that scary horror movie that is my life....

 

[AZChins]

Oh yeah...and that's fine...if anyone can use that cage, go for it!!

 

[TheNobleFight]

What is this??? Kick a Ginger day! LOL
You never forced us... And trust me, I want it back.

 

[AZChins]

LOL Everyday is Kick a Ginger day here! Shhh...don't tell John...he doesn't like it when I call him ginger. (I think I take things a little too far...)

I'm sure that I will find more cages to force people to take. Or, the humane society gets them eventually.

 

[TheNobleFight]

Errr... And uh some people sell them. You should, and if you need I can do the deals here in PHX. But I know how you love to meet new and interesting stalkers.

 

[Brittney]

Thanks, but I kinda need a cage I can keep. Maybe if Susan has another she can bring it my way on her next trip? She still needs to see Mr. Charlie and how fat he's getting.

I have Ande in the other room in the crate. He hates it since that's what he used to live in a long time ago poor guy. But Bryson is so relaxed right now. Looks like he is so happy. I will try to see if I can get Bryson and Charlie together, but since Charlie goes on a humping spree with Bryson, I will probably let Bryson enjoy some solitude for a while. Maybe he will even grow his hair back.

 

[TheNobleFight]

Dont be silly... If you need to move them right away take it. I am sure Susan has another cage if I need it. Besides, we need some chin friends here in Phoenix, we bother Susan too much.

 

[Brittney]

Does it have shelves?

 

[TheNobleFight]

Just say the word... How many? Do you want a feeder dish holder?

 

[TheNobleFight]

Send me a pic of what you have now ... and I can replicate it.