I could really use the help of some honest experience...

[Gizmo's Harem]

I have been researching quite a while for several items to provide my family of chins. However, everything I find is either manufactured plastic or ridiculously expensive. I have two females who live together and a male who resides in his own cage. Therefore, my purchases will have to be two of everything! This gets quite costly especially when you are shopping for something such as a wheel. I could really use the honest advice of those who are knowledgeable on the following items and could provide me the best location to purchase from, if in fact, they are 100% safe for my chins well-being. Thank you all very much.

1. A quality, metal wheel they isn't ridiculously priced.

2. A hammock that will not harm my chins if they decide to chew it.

3. Metal nesting box for security.

4. Anything that someone could recommend to a novice who truly cares for
the health and well-being of his chins!:banghead:

 

[Tagna]

For the wheel, Chin Spin or Flying Saucer. They might be costly but they are the best and will last forever.

Hammocks- make your own out of fleece or check out the classified section for sellers.

My chins have homemade hidey houses. They are easy to make and lots of sellers here make and sell them. I have no idea about metal ones.

Just check out the classifieds for tons of ideas that will soon be on your wish list.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Safe wheels tend to be pretty expensive but are well worth the investment. Perhaps you could get one and rotate it between the cages until you can get another? I highly recommend the ChinSpin by Quality Cages. It is expensive but should last for many many years. You may also find a second hand one in classifieds or on eBay. Don't stress though, a wheel is not a necessity but chins do love them.

The only place I have seen a metal hide house is on chinchillas.com. I prefer wooden ones because chins love to and need to chew and the houses are prefect for that. It is very inexpensive to make your own. Get the kiln dried pine from Home Depot or Lowes or a lumber store and have it cut (or cut it yourself if you have the means) and glue it together with Elmers, it's super easy. There are sellers of houses on here as well, ForCHINatechins, Cat75, and many other great sellers, check out classifieds.

There is no hammock that is 100% safe, if your chin is a fleece chewer. Fleece is considered the safest though. I love ForCHINatechins's fleece hammocks but there are many other great sellers as well. You can find deals on here often.

I would recommend a Fleece tube as well, chins love them!

Remember, all your chins need is a safe cage (with a hide house IMO), quality pellets, hay, fresh water, dust, things to chew on, and adequate temperatures. The rest is all optional and can come as you can afford it ). Don't stress!

 

[sinfulcindylou]

As others have mentioned, the Chin Spin from Quality Cage Co. is a great investment. I bought mine almost 6 years ago and it's still in great condition and it is constantly used by my trio of boys. You'll want the 15" one if you do choose to go that route- the other one is too small.
And definitely check out the classifieds section here. You will find great products for your chins that are way better/safer than what you will find at a pet store. There are also some "how to" threads here that will show you/give directions on how to make your own hidey houses, shelves, toys, and fleece products.

 

[JennyBug]

If you have a sewing machine and the time, making your own fleece stuff is pretty simple and can actually be quite fun. Many of the sellers on here are willing to share some of their secrets (or measurements), so it never hurts to ask if you don't know where to begin.

As far as a wheel, if you keep an eye out on here, you can sometimes find them for good prices. I have both flying saucers and chin spins, and all of my chins are running fools! If you are able to get your chin out regularly, a wheel might not be a necessity, so don't worry if you can't get one right away. It will be better for you to save up over time and pick one that is durable and safe rather than buying one quickly only to end up with a chewed wheel or an injured chin.

Best of luck!!

 

[tunes]

You don't even have to have a sewing machine to make a hammock. Lots of people seem to like the tie ones as well.

ETA: I wouldn't use a metal nesting box. I agree that the chins really enjoy the wood boxes because they get to chew on them. I use a four sided cube with a top, but no bottom. That way they can rest on the shavings or the fleece, whatever you use, and not lay in their own puddles of pee, which they would in a box with a floor.

 

[Sandi]

A few have mentioned qualitycage.com for the chin spin, which I highly recommend. It is a little pricey but not too bad considering it will give your chins years and years of enjoyment and it is almost silent. For me the chin spin was $55 + $10.63 for shipping. Quality cage also sells a metal nesting box and here is the link for that -
http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_21_25_26
You can also get another recommended wheel from forchinatechins (sp?) for less than half the price but I have read that is really loud when the chins are running on it. Good luck with your choices! )

 

[chin_gal]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this? http://forchinatechins.com/chincessories.htm Carrise has homemade wheels for $20 a piece. I haven't had any personal experience with the wheels, but she wouldn't sell something that wasn't safe! Now the noise level? They may be louder than the more expensive ones, but they are definitely the cheaper alternative.

 

[Sandi]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this?

I did. The post right above yours.

 

[Riven]

I would not recommend the tie hammocks, because I personally think they are a safety hazard, but that is my person belief.

I also recommend a wooden hidey, they need to chew.

 

[aznmexaggie]

Everyone has given you good suggestions so far.

In regards to the metal hidey-house, Quality Cage makes one (Chinchilla Nest Box) which has a wood panel w/entrance hole that slides in and out of the front of the hidey-house for cleaning or replacement of the wood. I have one of those and the chins chew the wood but also get the benefits of a metal house... I like it because I can just replace the wood panel once it is chewed up and since it is metal, it can be thoroughly sanitized. It also can be attached to the side of the cage with the included washers/wingnuts. I have it in a cage with my weanling females and they seem to like it since it is attached high in the cage and is also cool to the touch.

 

[Eric4144]

OK seems you can find every thing you are looking for at ForCHINate Chins Chinchilla Rescue at : http://webspace.webring.com/people/if/forchinatechins/
She has everything you are asking for at very reasonable prices. Her wheels work great and are the cheapest safe wheels you can find. They are a little noisy but definitely fit the bill of what it seems you are looking for. She doesn't carry metal nest boxes but she does carry wooden ones and they are expertly crafted. Correct me if I am wrong but you were looking to save a little dough and everything she sales goes directly back into her rescue. Just click on the chincessories store link and I'm sure you will find everything you are looking for.

ETA: If you don't see it on her site doesn't mean she does not carry it just drop her a line in her email and ask her about it. Carise is great to work with!

 

[Eric4144]

LOL seems Carise has quite the fan club ha ha ha ha. Didn't realize that so many people had already mentioned her. Good Luck!

 

[chin_gal]

I did. The post right above yours.

Oh, lol, sorry! Not sure why I didn't catch that

 

[Lynn & The Chins]

LOL seems Carise has quite the fan club ha ha ha ha. Didn't realize that so many people had already mentioned her. Good Luck!

Yeah, Carise rocks!!! I have her wooden corner house with a "chindow" and Mr. Whiskers and The Snuggler cuddle in it together!!!

So does Allison (Alli713) of Camphor Chins (camphorchins.com). She makes great fleece items/sets. I have fleece tubes/tunnels, liners, pilllows and a fleece corner house from her.

The members/owners on this forum have many talents and any of their products are probably much safer for your chins than anything from a pet store. :thumbsup: