Would this be a good exercise wheel?

[ssalcedo]

My chins will not run on the 16" wheels I made for them with the Lazy Susan bearings. I cant afford the Chin Spin or Flying Saucer, plus they will be way too heavy for my cage. I found this wheel on-line. Is measures 15" with a 6" solid metal running surface. I think it will be a nice roomy wheel. Has anyone ever used one of these, and how did you like it? I am thinking about ordering a couple.

Thanks

 

[StevieP]

It is not a good wheel because of the axle/spoke design. If a chinchilla's leg gets caught between a spoke and the frame, his/her leg will get broken. Anything can get caught in there and hurt your chin. Some people refer to this design as the "Death Wheel." Unfortunately I learned the hard way about this wheel design....$1600 leg surgery......

 

[StevieP]

Is it Chi-Chi who doesn't like it or your new boys? Some chins just don't use wheels.

 

[Laurie]

Not a good wheel for the reasons Steven mentioned. It's better for you to save up to afford a chin spin and have the chins go without a wheel, than to purchase a couple of these wheels for them.

 

[ssalcedo]

All 3 do not like the wheel. The mosaic tries to run on it, but he has a hard time getting it to spin. Its too slippery when he goes on it. The white one tried once and when it didnt turn, he never went back on it. My female never even tried to use it, she just ignores it. I thought it would work better then it does. I think the 4" track is to small, and the bearings are not fast enough.

When I got all 3 of my chins, they had the 11" Super Pet mesh wheels. They are the only wheels they will run on. They are used to them, because thats the only wheel they ever used. They all love running on a wheel, and I dont know what wheel to get them. I have been reading about the Chin Spin surface chipping off, plus how they are so heavy it has broken the bars on cages. I made their cages. I got the 1" square wiring at Fleet Farm. If it broke the bars on the Ferret Nation cages, it will definitely break my cage.

I know about the spokes being bad, but this is a much larger wheel. I thought because it is bigger, it will be okay. Thats why I was asking about it.

Does anyone know of any other wheels, or how to make one with out the Lazy Susan bearings, maybe with some other bearings that are faster?

Thanks

 

[Laurie]

Wow I've never heard of the spin breaking the bars on the cage of the ferret nation. I have ferret nations and chin spins and have not had any problems.

The decision you make will be yours alone, but you will not find many forum members who will agree to a "death" wheel as a good choice. Too many members have had chins who had an accident with those types of wheels. Some of them have been able to afford the $1600 vet bill--for the titanium rod and pin in the chins leg and some of them haven't--the ones who haven't have had their chins put to sleep. So again the alternative to the chin not having a broken leg or the owner having a huge vet bill is to simply not have a wheel for their chin. They are just fine without one.

 

[ssalcedo]

Does anyone know of any other wheels out there that are good?

 

[ssalcedo]

Has anyone ever used this wheel?

http://www.questhavenpets.com/chinchillas/products/products.html

 

[Rickman]

Basically looks OK - if it's affordable to you, give it a try and let us know!

 

[Essentia]

The Quest Haven wheel is a good wheel. I know someone who has one and I really like it.

 

[ssalcedo]

Do you know if the Quest Haven wheel is as heavy as the Chin Spin? I cant get one that is real heavy, because my cage wire is not real stong.

 

[Linda]

Has anyone ever used this wheel?

http://www.questhavenpets.com/chinchillas/products/products.html

We have answered before about this wheel. It's the Ed's spin -- literally made by a man named Ed. It's a very good wheel. If you're looking for a light-weight wheel, though, it's not what you're looking for. It's comparable to the chin spin. I haven't weighed them side by side, but they're similar.

Multiple people on this forum use them. You can see it referenced at these links or can search on it.

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16230&highlight=Ed's

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15746&highlight=ed's&page=2

Linda