Question about building a cage out of those cube panels...

[Big Goose]

Hi,

I do not currently own a chinchilla, but have been doing my research because I plan to get one before too long. I have many questions, but for now I would like to simply ask one.

I would like to build a cage for my chinchilla, and I would like to build it with the 14" squares that you can buy at Wal Mart or Target. I have not read too much about them being used for chinchilla cages, but have seen quite a bit about their use as rabbit and guinea pig cages. Now I know that they are completely different animals, but I am wondering if I could use the same materials for a chinchilla cage. The panels are coated with some sort of plastic or something and I am wondering if that would be bad. I have read SO much about chinchillas being chewers that I would think they would try to bite the coating. But these panels are supposed to be safe for rabbits and guinea pigs that I thought I would ask if it would be safe to use them for a chinchilla cage.

Here is a link of what I am talking about.
http://www.guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm

Thank you for any answers

 

[tunes]

No, that would definitely not work with a chin. They would chew through that in about 3 seconds flat.

If you want to build your own cage, check into kiln dried pine, melamine, or 1/2 x 1 inch wire. You can build the cage part, and then order the pans to go in them.

 

[AZChins]

The panels are metal, right? The chinchillas would definitely get out of them if they are secured with the little plastic brackets. I used them for a bookcase and the panels were always falling out...the crazy, hyper chins would demolish it unless it was held together much more securely.

It probably wouldn't be much more expensive to build a cage out of better materials.

 

[Stackie]

The bar spacing is also too large. I remember hearing a story about a chin getting it's head caught in between them.

 

[AZChins]

Oh yeah! I almost forgot. When I moved into my last house I had the chins in the basement and I put my bookcase cubes downstairs to hold all my supplies and things. I wasn't using them for a cage - they were across the room from the cages. What ended up happening is that one of the kits got out of the playpen and ended up getting caught in one of the panels. I couldn't get him out and I ended up having to cut the wires so he could come out. It was traumatizing for me...I ended up taking the entire thing apart and putting it away.

I just remembered that...that was just awful. The spacing is pretty large. I wouldn't go any larger than 1"x2" or so. Once you get larger than 1" in both dimensions of the spacing there can be problems with chins getting out or getting stuck. My large cages that I used to grow out chins are 1"x2"...my other cages are all 1"x1" or 1"x1/2" - I really like the 1"x1" wire for cages, but it isn't acceptable for babies under maybe a month old for sure.

 

[alli713]

I agree, definitely a no on that one. The chin would chew up the coroplast and the bar spacing in the cubes is large enough for a chin to get their head stuck.

Why do you want to build a cage? Is it to save money? If you want to build a cage do like Peggy suggested and use melamine kiln-dried pine and wire mesh. However these cages tend to be heavy. It's easier to buy cages pre-made. And if you buy a good cage it will last for a long time.

 

[kimbt622]

Actually, i also tried these for a cage a long time ago and my chin was already over a year so he was an adult. He tried getting out when we immediately put him in to just test it out. Since the spacing is pretty large, he got his head through but the rest of his body would not go so he was stuck. like azchins, i had to cut the wires around it and he was crying, which caused me to cry. very traumatizing! i wouldn't suggest this or anything similar for a chinny cage.

 

[Big Goose]

No, that would definitely not work with a chin. They would chew through that in about 3 seconds flat.

If you want to build your own cage, check into kiln dried pine, melamine, or 1/2 x 1 inch wire. You can build the cage part, and then order the pans to go in them.

I had previously considered building a cage with a wood frame, wire siding, and melamine base. I originally got the idea from this website. http://www.chinchillaplanet.com/chinchilla-cages/

The only problem I have with that is that it seems like a chinchilla would want to chew on the melamine base. Is that not the case?

Also, if I used wood as a frame or as supports/shelves, why would that be ok? Would a chinchilla not completely chew them up? I just want to build a cage that will last, but also be perfectly safe for my future pet.

Thank you for your help!

The panels are metal, right? The chinchillas would definitely get out of them if they are secured with the little plastic brackets. I used them for a bookcase and the panels were always falling out...the crazy, hyper chins would demolish it unless it was held together much more securely.

It probably wouldn't be much more expensive to build a cage out of better materials.

Yes the pannels are made of metal, but they are coated with a plastic type of material. I was just worried that they would chew off the plastic and it would make them ill. And it would be held together with some sort of metal bindings, not the plastic connectors that come with the panels.

I am too scared to use these now though after what you, Stackie, alli713, and kimbt622 have all said. I would never want to chance letting my chinchilla get its head stuck like that! That sounds aweful

Thank you for your help!

I agree, definitely a no on that one. The chin would chew up the coroplast and the bar spacing in the cubes is large enough for a chin to get their head stuck.

Why do you want to build a cage? Is it to save money? If you want to build a cage do like Peggy suggested and use melamine kiln-dried pine and wire mesh. However these cages tend to be heavy. It's easier to buy cages pre-made. And if you buy a good cage it will last for a long time.

I wasn't actually planning on using the coroplast, that link was just to give an example of the square panels that I was talking about. But I will not be using that method now.

The reasons that I want to build my own cage are:

1) I can save money by not buying one from a store

2) I can make it really cool and customized for my chinchilla, including more space than a store-bought one

3) I will enjoy designing the cage

4) I enjoy building stuff with my hands, so that will be fun for me

5) I can't get a chinchilla for a while, so this would allow me to fill in that void with something chinchilla related

I don't mind if it's heavy, b/c I wouldn't plan on moving it much. Also, I feel like I could build a quality cage that would last quite a while. I just don't like the price or options that I have seen in the pre-made selections.

I will ask you the same question that I asked tunes. If I did use melamine for the base, would that be ok? Or would there be a chance that my chinchilla would chew on it? Any pointers or ideas?

Thank you!

 

[starleomach]

That is not chinchilla appropriate

 

[tunes]

My chins never chewed my melamine cages. They never were able to get a tooth hold. The shelves were also melamine, and had U channel over the edges, so if they wanted to chew, they were going to have to eat metal.

As far as heaviness, there are some pretty duty heavy castors out there that you can buy. I found some that are guaranteed to carry 200 pounds each, so put four of them on a cage, and they could easily handle a good sized one and then some. I think all cages should have wheels, SO much easier to deal with them then.

 

[Big Goose]

My chins never chewed my melamine cages. They never were able to get a tooth hold. The shelves were also melamine, and had U channel over the edges, so if they wanted to chew, they were going to have to eat metal.

As far as heaviness, there are some pretty duty heavy castors out there that you can buy. I found some that are guaranteed to carry 200 pounds each, so put four of them on a cage, and they could easily handle a good sized one and then some. I think all cages should have wheels, SO much easier to deal with them then.

Glad to know that melamine will work ok. I just need to make sure that my chinchilla can't get to any edges. I like your idea about using the melamine and covered edged as shelves. i was considering using some ceramic tiles until you said that.

Thank you so much for helping me out