Not sure about moving chins downstairs, would like some input

[Sandi]

We are contemplating moving the chins to the basement. I now have 3 FN's in the dining room, which is the only room that doesn't have the sun beating down on it, every other room either has floor to ceiling windows or skylights. The only thing is that I'm not sure of is if I need to get a dehumidifier for the basement and there is only two small windows where the chins would be located that offer natural light. We have a finished basement that is mostly an open floor plan with the exception of my daughter's bedroom, storage and laundry rooms (pics below). The only other large window is in my daughter's room. We have recently changed all the lighting in the basement to full spectrum lighting.

The current temp upstairs in the dining area is 71 degrees with 42% humidity.
Downstairs in the basement it is 65 degrees with 57% humidity. Would I need a dehumidifier?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Couldn't find any pics of our empty basement but the chins would go in the tiled area where the 2 small windows are located.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

The basement seems like a good place for the chins. I don't think you need a dehumidifier unless there is moisture on the floor or walls. You may need to dust the chins more often.

 

[tunes]

I think the basement is a great idea ON, although I personally would not want 57% humidity for my chins. I try to keep it at 35% if at all possible. I think most basements just seem to need a dehumidifier whether chins are there or not. They just seem to have a damp feel to them.

 

[Sandi]

Thank you ) Definitely no moisture on floors or walls but I'll look into getting a dehumidifer. This wouldn't have even come to our minds but since adding the 3rd FN, we've had to move the dining room table out of the dining room, LOL.

 

[Siylvat]

We have our chins in the basement. I also think you would want a dehumidifier. We have one. We did not run it all winter because it was nice and dry, but now that summer is here, it is on. I would imagine you would want one down there in the summer even without the chins. I forget where you are, but the weather here can be humid in summer and without a dehumidifier running we would get mold starting to grow on the walls and under the carpet.

 

[Sandi]

Nope, no mold. The house is only 5 years old and the basement has 10' high ceilings and the staircase to the upstairs is open and part of the rest of the house but I'm still looking into getting a dehumidifier.

 

[alli713]

My chins currently live in our basement and do fine. I don't use a humidifier either as I haven't had any issues. I think basements work fine so long as they're nice and finished like yours is.

 

[Sandi]

Thanks Allison )

 

[aznmexaggie]

That basement is nice and open so I don't think there would be any problem keeping the chins down there. If it gets too humid, you can just use a dehumidifier as already mentioned.

 

[Rickman]

Sandi - I'm not too far from you, and although the basement is finished, I empty a 1 gallon dehumidifier, [Heier [?] ] almost full, every other day!
Never floods, haven't seen anything out of the ordinary, and doesn't seem humid, either.

 

[starleomach]

Basement do work well if not humid. whan I lived at my parents house we moved the chinchillas to the basement every summer worked great

 

[mishellyshel]

My basement is 5 - 10 degrees colder than upstairs. I will run the humidifier in the summer, though.
I have 7 of the 9 boys down there. And plan on moving Richie & Stitch down there when 2 cages open up. I have 3 two story FN's.
Our basement is finished, inclusive of a 2nd kitchen with a fridge and everything. So it is very convenient and they love the cooler temps.
I think while it will be difficult at first becuase they are not "in your face", you will love having them all in one place and that place NOT being your dining room.

 

[Kylelemler]

Basements work great. We keep ours in the basement. We do have minimal ac going to it during the summer and same with the heat during the winter. Our humidity is a little higher than yours but we do run a dehumidifier. But it doesn't seem to affect how our animals show. We dust more often in the summer than winter

 

[burritothechinchilla]

I was thinking of putting my chins in the basement, but I would miss seeing them so much.

 

[Sandi]

Whew! Been busy but we did get a dehumidifier and per the reading on the unit it only took a little bit to get to 50% humidity. I changed the battery on the hygrometer and got a different reading than what I posted. The new reading was very close to what the dehumidifier read. We now set the unit to 45% humidity. Ebony and Ivory spent the night downstairs in their new set-up and my daughter loved it. Our basement is the family room plus her bedroom and the laundry room are there so we are in the basement ALL the time. I just set up a sitting area near their cage and it's almost like they now have their very own place. Can't wait to get it all finished.

 

[Ash]

And to get pictures posted? :neener: