Just got my first Chin!

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NewChinGuy

NewChinGuy

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2013
Messages
24
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
I finally got her! 10 months old, still no name. Adopted her from someone online, and she's quite adventurous! She's currently running around her Ferret Nation trying to explore.

Question though. She keeps trying to squeeze her face through the bars and escape. Is this normal? Will she fit? I keep panicking because she's in my room and it's an electrical cord warzone, so escape is a bad option. She seems to be able to get her nose out, but usually finds herself stuck at about her eyes.

Any tips for bonding? I'm gonna get dust and a bath this week, I figure I'll give her a few days to adjust before I try to get her out in the bathroom.

Thanks guys for the advice!
 
I'm getting my 10 week old chin this weekend and I have a Ferret Nation also. I have been worried about him escaping. I picked up 24" hardware cloth from Lowe's (the spacing is 1/2"). I'm going to put him in his cage and keep an eye on him and if he tries to escape, I'll already have the hardware cloth ready. Otherwise, I figure I'll just return it and get my money back.
 
Oh, you said 10 months old, not 10 weeks. If yours can escape, then I'm definitely in trouble! :) Good thing I bought the hardware cloth.
 
It depends on weight. If your chin is over 500g she's not making it through those bars. My boys have 1/2 x 1/2 wire on theirs but they don't need it anymore. It's always better to watch and keep safe. Check your girls weight and see what progress she makes through the bars :)
 
Some can fit through at 10 weeks and others won't. Depends on if your chin is a faster grower or not. At 10 months old there is no way she could fit out of the bars. Congrats on your new chin.
 
As far as bonding goes, I would talk to her a lot and be present often. Instead of playtime, try bonding time so your chin can adjust to her settings and to you before you put her somewhere else for playtime. Hope that helps.
 
Thanks guys! Yeah she gave up on trying to escape, right now she's rolling around with one of her chew blocks. She's so cute!

I've heard a lot of good things about the chinspin, and I've been debating getting one for her since right now she doesn't have a wheel and is running laps around the cage. However.. I may not have room in the budget for one. Are the plastic wheels all that bad? I can keep an eye and make sure she isn't chewing it, but in the end if she doesn't chew on it what's the difference between a spin and plastic? Besides the price and shipping..
 
The plastic ones are too small and have a post sticking through the center forcing the chin to flex its back unnaturally. They also break easily and have a short lifespan. It is far better to wait and save up for a good wheel than to use a crappy one.
 
I second Cuddlebug. Plus, there are several members on here that will tell you that their chins never chewed the plastic one for months, then one night they tore it apart! Why risk it? Plus, saving up for something that will last years makes sense.

$15 for cheap plastic times at least one a year for 15 years is $225... Saving up for one that will last the lifetime of your chin for $100 is way cheaper, more convenient and also much less worrisome :)
 
A wheel isn't a necessity, so saving up for one is just fine. Definitely do not buy a plastic one; they're cheap and will break and your chin will end up chewing it. A chin spin or flying saucer is very worth the money. Grats on your new chin!
 
As already said wheels aren't necessary. I bought a Leo Braun style wheel and my girls love it. It was expensive but its almost silent and should last a long time. No wheels until their older than six months however as they can burn of precious calories needed to develop. As far as bonding time just sit and read to your chin until their comfortable then try putting your hands in the cage and letting your chin come to you to hop in your hands. Just be patient and have fun!
 
Cuddlebug said:
The plastic ones are too small and have a post sticking through the center forcing the chin to flex its back unnaturally. They also break easily and have a short lifespan. It is far better to wait and save up for a good wheel than to use a crappy one.
Click to expand...

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Chinchilla-12-Inch-Exercise/dp/B0006IK0PQ <- For the record I meant these kinds of wheels- the spot in the middle doesn't come out much if at all, but I can see why they'd break at times.
 
NewChinGuy said:
http://www.amazon.com/Super-Pet-Chinchilla-12-Inch-Exercise/dp/B0006IK0PQ <- For the record I meant these kinds of wheels- the spot in the middle doesn't come out much if at all, but I can see why they'd break at times.
Click to expand...
Yeah those wheels are also too small, you need a min of 14-15" wheel for chins. You can get the flying saucer wheels from Flower Town Chinchillas If you have room for it in your cage they are great and quiet. That store is in Ontario so not dealing with outrageous shipping costs from US to Canada, I think it was about $30 shipping and handling to Alberta for me so the total was just under $120.
 
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