Good cage, and maybe a friend?

[starrynight0621]

I recently got a new baby chinchilla. His cage is 24" long and 17" wide and "48 tall. He has a bunch of wooden shelves, hammocks, and a chin spin wheel. No plastic, lots of fleece. Is this cage big enough for him? Here is a link http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+10431+23204&pcatid=23204

Also, he has seemed lonely. He pushes his body against the cage whenever I walk into a room. Should I get him a friend, and could they both stay in the same cage? I can't afford another cage.

 

[Rebecca1122]

That seems like a good cage. It certainly have enough room for one chin. It's good to put toys in there that the chins like to keep them busy. They are very social, so getting him a friend wouldn't hurt, but if you pay lots of attention to him, it isn't necessary.
And when you walk into the room, he might push against the cage because he is trying to hide. Chins tend to be very shy, so it takes some time for them to get used to you. I know someone who has 3 chins and a cage with 4 stories like that, so that cage would be fine for two.
I would also suggest getting a little hut or tunnel for the chin. They need some place where they can hide and feel safe.

Good luck with everything!

 

[Godofgods]

to get another chin and introduce him to your chin would require a second cage. THey need to get frimilar with each other before just throing em into the same cage together. And theirs no gaurntee they will get along. Tho at a younger age you might have good luck with it. But you should always have a spare with two chins, just incase they need seperated for a while for any reason.

 

[ChinnyMom]

as mentioned, always good to have enough spare cages around so that your chins can be separated at a moment's notice (fighting, illness, etc).

the first thing to do is quarantine any new chins in a separate room for at least 30 days. this reduces the risk of spreading disease that new chins could potentially come in with. that other room needs to have air conditioning btw.

if you've recently got your first chin, i would give yourself some time to bond with him/her and get to know each other. as well, this will allow you to put some chin keeping experience under your belt, so that you will be more prepared when you get another.

one thing i do to keep my Rhino from getting frightened when i come into the room is say his name gently and quietly as i'm opening the door. i never rush into the bedroom he is in, and movements are calm around him. sitting by the cage, talking and even singing quietly to your chin will get them used to you.

how old is your chin? you mention 'baby'. chins under 6 months (some people will say 1 year) should not have wheels, treats, or be let out for play time. they need all their energy to grow properly.