FN vs Martin Cage

[mychinsrcute]

I have seen several postings here about the FN cages and I am starting to fall in love with them. I have 5 chinchillas right now (most of you know about the accidental female from the breeder, ugh!) but as it is I will have to wean girlies from mom (I think all 3 are females!) and I don't really have a separate cage for them to go to since dad is occupying the bottom of their martin cage. So, I have managed to change my martin cage (30wx18dx48h) into 2 separate cages with 2 drop pans once I found out Leo was a Bella, lol. Unfortunately, I had to get wire cutters and cut all along the midline of the front of the cage to put in the drop pan. Anyways, it was NOT a cheap purchase after all the 'upgrading' I had to do to it. I also don't like cleaning it because it is a bear to clean with the thinner wire and how they are welded together. Now I am facing a dilemma...do I cave in and buy (and be a little strapped for $$ for a month or two) a FN cage and be able to wean off kits and eventually move all over to that cage and possible get an add on
FN single cage for dad or do I get dad neutered or do I sell him? I would really prefer not to have to get rid of dad, it wasn't his fault! But if they are all females, I assume once they are weaned off of mom they can go back in with her and then they can all share a LARGE cage....? Right? I would actually like to get dad neutered but all the horror stories I have heard scare me to death! I DON'T want to end up killing him!! I have heard of a great exotic pet place about 2 hours away that do chinchilla surgeries and I would be willing to drive there and stay the night if that ends up being what everyone says will be the best.
I mean, dad right now gets along with pups when mom needs a break (I don't let them be together at all, do not want a repeat!) but does that mean he necessarily will once they are all weaned and larger?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated or if you can send me to a particular thread that I was unable to find that would work too :thumbsup:I have I think about 5 weeks till weaning (if they are all girls they can stay till 8 weeks though right?).

 

[inzeos]

The FN cage is great one for multiple chin separate living areas. When we brought in our latest pair of rescues they each got half of the cage. Keep in mind though that the bar spacing is fairly wide and may not be suitable for younger chinchillas. My guess is that the Martin would probably work for the little guys while they are young.

An FN-143 addition to an FN-142 would be a great home for dad. You are right though that they are expensive; however, when you look at it over time these guys have a good chance of out living their cage.

 

[mychinsrcute]

Is the FN cage easy to clean? With my Martin cage, clothes get stuck where the wires are welded and tears up my cloth and leaves strings everywhere. I know you can take it out and hose it out, but when you live on the 3rd floor of an apartment building and have 2 different sexes and only 1 spare, small, cage that's just not possible, lol.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

No snags with the FN! Easy to clean with pull out pans and a large garbage bag to dump in. The only thing I get snagged on occasionally are the bolts from ledges and shelves on the outside of the cage, but that is just me being a klutz .

 

[mychinsrcute]

Let's pretend in a perfect world, dad and mom and babies all get along well (and dad gets neutered). How big of a cage is recommended for having 5 chinchillas together? I'm sort of on the fence about dad...I want to keep him w/o having a million cages bc I just don't have the room, literally. But do I get him neutered at a place 2-3 hours away that does chinchilla surgeries/visit on a regular basis and hope he is ok? What if then he doesn't get along with his kits or mom? Mom used to get annoyed with him before I figured out mom wasn't a boy...but now I equate that to the fact that he was always trying to mate with her. Might they get along now? I think this is also now getting off topic, I may try to post this else where in a more suitable thread...

 

[Parkerspetchins]

I don't think there is a guarantee on them getting along...The FN142 would be big enough for 5 chinchillas. I would not put more than that. I think 4 is ideal but 5 doable ). You could always do the add on for Dad if it doesn't work out.

 

[inzeos]

Not to mention if you got creative you could try and put a center divider into one half of the FN-142 to buy yourself some time before getting the add on.

 

[mychinsrcute]

That's a good point...hmm things to think about