Hello everyone!

[SheeshBop]

Hi, I recently adopted a 4 year old male chin named Bruno from a friend who could no longer keep him. I really want to make sure i'm taking good care of him so I'm happy i found this forum!! The cage he came with is actually too big to fit through my bedroom door, so i want to get him a new one so i can be around him more often. It seems like Ferret Nation/Critter Nation is the way to go, and I'm wondering for ONE chin if it's ok to get one level, or should i get two so he can leap around? And is one model a better idea than the other regarding FN/CN? Also i feel sad he lives alone, but it looks like introducing him to a friend might be difficult? Is it sad for them to live alone? I don't want him to be lonely! I love him already and I really want to be a good chinchilla mom! Thanks so much for any advice/help!!

 

[ChinnieParadise85]

Hello Welcome. I am new to this group as well I just joined yesterday it is very nice to meet you. I have both the Ferret Nation and the Critter Nation but I love my Ferret Nation better. The bar spacing is the only difference between the two but it is really hard to get my water bottle through the bars on the critter nation because of the bar spacing and my water bottle goes on the outside of the cage it will not attach to the inside of the cage so this is one of the reasons why I like the ferret nation cage. Also the ferret nation cage bars goes up and down where the critter nation cage bars go across this is another difference between the two cages. I have one chin in my Ferret Nation cage and he has plenty of room to run around and have his 16 inch exercise wheel in as well. I would say to go with a double unit but that is just my opinion because your chin will have a lot more room then a single unit so you can fit more things in it like a wheel and ledges. I hope this helps

 

[Chinmama]

Welcome to the forum!

Most people here have Ferret Nation cages. It's fine to have a single chin in one level. Maybe start out with one and eventually expand into two if you want.

 

[Jenn]

Hi and welcome!

I love the idea of bigger is better, and if it was me, I would get the biggest cage I could that would work in my situation. Chins love to jump from ledge to ledge.

It can be difficult to introduce a second chin. They may not get along is always a possibility to keep in mind. But it can be done. I have a single female who I adopted who had to be separated from her group because she couldn't get along with them. She has done just fine as a single chin. If you spend time with Bruno, he should be just fine on his own. Also, a fleece cuddle buddy can be very helpful.

 

[SheeshBop]

Thanks so much to everyone who replied to my questions! I will go ahead and get the Ferret Nation and a fleece cuddle buddy for Bruno. I got a playpen from petsmart for some out of cage time (it even had a chinchilla pictured on the box) but he climbs/leaps out of it! I dont want him climbing the wire fence, since i've read a lot how their feet shouldn't be on wire, and once he leaps over my heart stops till i can scoop him up safely. So the playpen is going back. I've tried bathroom time for playing, but he chews on the cabinets. My mom will not appreciate the chomp marks. I know the playpen has an optional lid, but i want to be able to sit in it with him, so we can hang out together! he likes to climb onto my shoulder and leap off my head. crazy little dude. anyway, how do you guys do play time with your chins?

 

[lauralynne]

Hello & Welcome!

 

[cindyv3737]

Welcome!

 

[Jenn]

Thanks so much to everyone who replied to my questions! I will go ahead and get the Ferret Nation and a fleece cuddle buddy for Bruno. I got a playpen from petsmart for some out of cage time (it even had a chinchilla pictured on the box) but he climbs/leaps out of it! I dont want him climbing the wire fence, since i've read a lot how their feet shouldn't be on wire, and once he leaps over my heart stops till i can scoop him up safely. So the playpen is going back. I've tried bathroom time for playing, but he chews on the cabinets. My mom will not appreciate the chomp marks. I know the playpen has an optional lid, but i want to be able to sit in it with him, so we can hang out together! he likes to climb onto my shoulder and leap off my head. crazy little dude. anyway, how do you guys do play time with your chins?

Some playpen options: You can get playpens with tops. You can add a cardboard or blanket top and pinned down for playtime. You can line the sides of the playpen with large sheets of cardboard so he can't climb up the pen or jump over it.

 

[Peanut'sMom]

Hello, I am also new to the group. I have a Marshall Mansion which is a foldable cage. My husband had to make some modifications to it before we brought Peanut our new chin home. He took out the shelves and covered them with pine. The ramps/ladders are the next project which will be covered with fleece. He seems to be very happy in his new home but I also worry about him being lonely. He came from a home with 3 other chins. I have only had him a week and a half and he seems to be adjusting well so far.