Really need help! Exercise Wheel Question.

[ssalcedo]

Hi,
I am really hoping someone can help. I purchased my chinchilla girl a month ago. She came with a wire mesh type exercise wheel. I found instructions on how to make an all metal 16" wheel. I made it, and it turned out great. The problem is, she will not use it. When she had the wire one, she ran on it all the time. I know its not safe so I will not give it back to her. I sprinkled some of her dust bath on it hoping to get her to try it, but she only rolls in it then gets off. I know she likes wheels, and its great exercise for her. What can I do to get her to use her new wheel?

This is the wheel I made.

Thank you!

 

[proudmom25]

Great job on the wheel! How long ago did you make it? Some chins do take a while to learn how to use a new wheel. Hopefully she will figure it out soon.

 

[ticklechin]

I bought one of those a long time ago-it it too narrow to run and the surface is tilted downward, combine that and the fact the bearings are noisy and doesn't spin freely like a well made wheel, it was not used by any of my 8 chins.

 

[Rickman]

Before I joined C+Q's years ago, I purchased 3 'specially made in Oregon' wire wheels from a breeder in Champaign, Il.
I was suspicious of the safety myself, and bought some 1/4 x 1/4 hardware screen to cover what I considered 'too wide' bar spacing!
Although it took awhile to get it right, it seemes to have worked out well, as I've had no problems with them in 8 yrs.
No 'running with the poo's' or 'slippery spots' either!

 

[Stackie]

I bought one of those a long time ago-it it too narrow to run and the surface is tilted downward, combine that and the fact the bearings are noisy and doesn't spin freely like a well made wheel, it was not used by any of my 8 chins.

I had the same problem.

 

[Sandi]

Exactly what ticklechin said. Does the wheel turn easily?

 

[ssalcedo]

It does turn good. When I first got the bearing it was more stiff. With the bearings used for these wheels you have to keep turning them to get them to move more freely. It has to be turned alot to loosen it up. Now its actually fine. The problem is she is used to using the wire mesh wheel. I know if I put that one in her cage she will run on it. Its not safe, so I wont put it back in her cage. I dont think she knows what its for, because its completely different than the other one.

 

[DramaMama]

This might be a stupid idea, It would only be safe if the mesh wheel fit into the new wheel really tight (so that theres no chance of caught toes), but what if you snapped the wheel part of the wire wheel into the new wheel (so that she smells and feels the wire part of the wheel) to get her to run on the new wheel and if she takes to it leave it in for a while and then eventually take the wire away and see if she continues to run on the new wheel?
Like I said, it would only work if measurements were really exact and things were safe.

 

[Chub_Chub]

We made a homemade wheel like the one you made. We used lazy susan bearings and the noise issue is greatly diminshed by keeping it lubed, which also makes it less work for the chins to run on. Our runners took to the new wheel very quickly. Give your girl some time to try it out.:thumbsup:

 

[ssalcedo]

I have the lazy susan bearings on mine too. What do you use to keep it lubed?

Thanks!

 

[Chub_Chub]

We only use food-grade lubricant around the chinchillas and their cages/wheel. Food grade lube is used in food facilities for the machinery, so it is nontoxic (to humans). Obviously we wipe away any excess after application- no need to really test its limits on chins. A quick search on google came up with several options for brands and application methods.. Aerosol spray, tube, spray bottle.. I forget where we got ours, but you might try checking Home Depot, or if that fails- maybe restraurant supply stores in your area.

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

Great Job on the wheel! Where did you find the instructions to build it?