looking to get a chin

[hegieslulz]

im looking in to getting a chinchilla and i was first off wondering if this would be a okay habitat.feel free to give me any tips also.

http://www.petco.com/product/13557/...First Home Complete Kit for Chinchillas-13557

 

[greychins]

It's ok, I wouldn't personally recommend it. It's fine, size-wise, but I would personally replace the shelves with wooden shelves, take out the ramps, not use really any of the products that come with the cage... With some modifications it could be fine though, especially if you deck it out with chin-safe products.

 

[ErinsChins]

There is a lot of plastic in the cage which can cause blockage if the chin chews (and they will!). Also, the items included in the kit should not be used for chins. A good cage to look into would be a ferret nation, a critter nation, martins cages, or anything that's metal/wood. Basically, no plastic!

 

[hegieslulz]

is there any similar package deals for cages with all the stuff i need?if not can someone give me a list of all the needed things needed for a chin

 

[ErinsChins]

As far as bundles go, I was unable to find any, but here is what I would recommend:
Cages:
http://www.martinscages.com/products/cages/chinchilla/
http://www.midwesthomes4pets.com/category/default.aspx?submenu=2&catid=29
http://www.4jsplantation.com/cages.html

Food:
I would recommend Mazuri, Oxbow, or Purina Rabbit SHOW. Mazuri and Oxbow are available at petstores and the rabbit food is available at feed stores. Susan (azchins) also sells Mazuri at a good price

Bedding:
Aspen or Kiln dried pine work great. Fleece is also quite popular. A lot of people make cage sets including Tiffany
threewingedfury.webs.com/

Toys/Accesories:
I would recommend looking around here for suppliers.
Susan (azchins.com) has always been one of my favorites, but there are also a lot others

It will cost a good bit of money to get what is good for a chinchilla, but it may also save you a ton in vet bills!

 

[catem777]

Ok i just got my chin a few days ago and loaded up on things from petsmart.BAD IDEA. Now i ordered all new stuff and I am taking all the other stuff back as soon as it comes. Here is a really helpful website that details everything you need and what to stay away from too.http://www.foreverfeistychinchilla.org/domestichabitat.htm#water

I got my cage from martins cages(skyscraper one, pretty good price)
I got my supplies from this website(I got the delux starter package it comes with hammock chews,food,ledges,other neccesities,that are safe!)http://www.qualitymutationchinchillas.com/yourchinstoregalore.html
and i got a travel cage and the chinspin at this website http://qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=32_35
and i would reccomend the larger chin spin.
I know this is alot but it should save you time money and stress in the long run. As far as I know this is all safe stuff and I wish I knew it all before I bought all that crap from petstore.
Oh and one final thing no exercise balls I was told these are DEATH BALLS for chinchillas.Hope this helps and answers some questions for you.

 

[tunes]

Food:
I would recommend Mazuri, Oxbow, or Purina Rabbit SHOW. Mazuri and Oxbow are available at petstores and the rabbit food is available at feed stores. Susan (azchins) also sells Mazuri at a good price

Just out of curiosity, why would you recommend these? Have you tried them all? There are many other feeds available for chins including Tradition, which is hands down the best chin food out there, IMO, yet it didn't make your list. Nor did Nutrena or APD.

To the OP: Wal-Mart.com now carries the Ferret Nation and Critter Nation cages with free shipping to your home. They aren't bundles, but they are fantastic cages that are highly recommended by pet owners on this forum. It's easy and cheap to get shelves cut to mount in the cages as well. Bundles rarely have what is good for chins, and often times the products aren't even safe.

Before getting your chin, take the time to read through the various forums here. Any questions you have can be answered right here without going to several different links. Read through the housing section, the new chin owner section, and in particular, read through the nutrition section which will tell you about various foods as well as what safe treats are, what kind of water is recommended, etc.

The most important thing I would recommend to you, before you buy anything (including a chin) is to check your area for a chinchilla experienced vet. Too many people are coming on forum now with dire emergencies and chins lives hanging by a thread, only to repeatedly tell us that there are no vets in their area. A chin is not a dog or a cat who can go to see any vet any time. Vets who treat chins are few and far between. Before getting a pet, you should always be sure that you have proper veterinary care available. Hopefully you will never need it. But if something happens at 2 a.m. and you need a vet right now, you'll be glad you did the research and have the numbers handy.

Welcome to CnH.

 

[Anna]

I have my guys on PANR, or.. whatever the new name for it is... It seems to be OK. Mazuri gave my chins soft-ish poop.

There are many other feeds available for chins including Tradition, which is hands down the best chin food out there, IMO, yet it didn't make your list.

Ooh, I've never heard of Tradition... what makes it the best? and where, if need be, would one find it?

 

[ErinsChins]

Just out of curiosity, why would you recommend these? Have you tried them all? There are many other feeds available for chins including Tradition, which is hands down the best chin food out there, IMO, yet it didn't make your list. Nor did Nutrena or APD.

To the OP: Wal-Mart.com now carries the Ferret Nation and Critter Nation cages with free shipping to your home. They aren't bundles, but they are fantastic cages that are highly recommended by pet owners on this forum. It's easy and cheap to get shelves cut to mount in the cages as well. Bundles rarely have what is good for chins, and often times the products aren't even safe.

Before getting your chin, take the time to read through the various forums here. Any questions you have can be answered right here without going to several different links. Read through the housing section, the new chin owner section, and in particular, read through the nutrition section which will tell you about various foods as well as what safe treats are, what kind of water is recommended, etc.

The most important thing I would recommend to you, before you buy anything (including a chin) is to check your area for a chinchilla experienced vet. Too many people are coming on forum now with dire emergencies and chins lives hanging by a thread, only to repeatedly tell us that there are no vets in their area. A chin is not a dog or a cat who can go to see any vet any time. Vets who treat chins are few and far between. Before getting a pet, you should always be sure that you have proper veterinary care available. Hopefully you will never need it. But if something happens at 2 a.m. and you need a vet right now, you'll be glad you did the research and have the numbers handy.

Welcome to CnH.

I absolutely LOVE tradition as do my chins, however I would not be able to tell the OP where to get it. The one time I got a bag was from a group of chins and it was what they were on. As far as nutrena, I have not heard of it. I was mostly trying to go with ease of access. I feed Mazuri because I can get a 25lb bag for $15. I used to feed PANR but the farm store stopped carrying it. To the OP, if you can find tradition, I do agree that it is the best.

Tunes- If you know someone on here that sells tradition i'd love to know. I feel like Mazuri has a little too much protein.

 

[tunes]

Ooh, I've never heard of Tradition... what makes it the best? and where, if need be, would one find it?

It's the best in my opinion. I have never had the results in my chins with other feed that I had with Tradition. I've used Mazuri, PenPals, and now Nutrena. I like the Nutrena a lot, but if I could get Tradition out here milled correctly, I'd be back on it in a second.

Tradition was formulated by a very well known chin breeder and judge. He worked on it for quite a while to get it where it is, and he uses it as well as quite a few other large ranchers who can get it in their area.

Another good feed by reputation is Shoots. He also developed his own, and many people swear by it.

As far as where to get Tradition, the only person I know that ships it in smaller boxes is Ryerson's. Other than them, I would put up a wanted ad and see if anyone has it available to sell.

 

[Anna]

It's the best in my opinion. I have never had the results in my chins with other feed that I had with Tradition. I've used Mazuri, PenPals, and now Nutrena. I like the Nutrena a lot, but if I could get Tradition out here milled correctly, I'd be back on it in a second.

Tradition was formulated by a very well known chin breeder and judge. He worked on it for quite a while to get it where it is, and he uses it as well as quite a few other large ranchers who can get it in their area.

Another good feed by reputation is Shoots. He also developed his own, and many people swear by it.

As far as where to get Tradition, the only person I know that ships it in smaller boxes is Ryerson's. Other than them, I would put up a wanted ad and see if anyone has it available to sell.

Ahh! Okay. I may look into it. But I am okay with what I have. Always good to have options I guess.
thanks : )