Oh Boi!! Chinchilla. lol

The option to keep Chinchillas came up a few times and I just wasn't ready, or wanted to keep them at the time. Recently a friend of mine who had a young female Chin told me he was moving and if I would take her. I told him to give me a few days to think it over. I showed the wife and kids a few pix and they pretty much told me "don't come home without her". lol. Well I picked her up yesterday.

I had a large screened cage (30"x30"x56") that's been empty for a few months that once housed one of my Panther Chameleons.

I cleaned it out good and hot steam sterilize the cage and tosses in some climbing features and some bedding.

I quickly learned that the planks of wood was too smooth and getting a foothold at times for the Chin was an issue. So i scored it a but with a file to add some texture. It worked for the night. Plans today was to utilize the whole cage and see if i can find some grip-tape (like whats on a skateboard). Went to HomeDepot today and for some 1"x 8" planks of wood to do some shelves and i got some fine grip-tape.

First thing i wanted to change was to make the shelf on the left wider.

added a 2nd shelf towards the front of the cage.

another shelf up and towards the back.

grip-tape...

Also had some extra wood and figured i'd make a nest box.



Got some of the grip-tape laid down. Wanted it on the inclines and on the edges.



All done..



A little play time in the girl's room ( only room with no exposed wires)
Ariyana , my 4 year old



The previous owner got her when she was young and handled her a lot. She is failry comfortable around people.

Aww, chinchillas are gorgeous! I've had several over the years - my parents got my first one for me on my 14th birthdya. She was so sweet and would sleep in my arms as well as chew the furnture and poop everywhere! A few years later I got a pair and the female gave birth to triplets! Baby chinchillas are even more cute than baby chameleons!

Good luck with the little girl! Chins are a pain lol. They are pretty needy too, my wife has 1. We used a large bird cage, maybe 4'lX3'wX5'h and screwed wood to it with washers and screws similar to yours. Your cage looks awesome too. good luck with her and make sure she doesn't get too hot or wet

Miss Lily said:

Aww, chinchillas are gorgeous! I've had several over the years - my parents got my first one for me on my 14th birthdya. She was so sweet and would sleep in my arms as well as chew the furnture and poop everywhere! A few years later I got a pair and the female gave birth to triplets! Baby chinchillas are even more cute than baby chameleons!

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lol, they do poop everywhere!! im just glad it's dry!! lol

Sinfulintent said:

Good luck with the little girl! Chins are a pain lol. They are pretty needy too, my wife has 1. We used a large bird cage, maybe 4'lX3'wX5'h and screwed wood to it with washers and screws similar to yours. Your cage looks awesome too. good luck with her and make sure she doesn't get too hot or wet

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So far she has been good. Only downside is that she is asleep during the day and they kids don't get to enjoy her.

Yea they do like to sleep during the day, our actually has gotten into waking up during the day and being social, which is weird, but works with us. Do you give yours fruits and snacks? Mine LOVES green apples , dried bananas, and raisin.. Just have to make sure they aren't too salty.

Sinfulintent said:

Yea they do like to sleep during the day, our actually has gotten into waking up during the day and being social, which is weird, but works with us. Do you give yours fruits and snacks? Mine LOVES green apples , dried bananas, and raisin.. Just have to make sure they aren't too salty.

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I have heard that you can convert them to be up and active during the day. I'll see how that goes. Rite now they are on just Thimothy hay and Chin pillets. I hear to keep them away from too many treats. We'll see

Nice build.

Super cute...and furry. My throat is getting itchy just looking at the photos Glad you don't have allergies like I do

shaunaroxanne said:

Super cute...and furry. My throat is getting itchy just looking at the photos Glad you don't have allergies like I do

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I think i do!!!! My throath has been scratchy!!

Well i was browsing the local Craigslist and there was a lady moving to Fl and lived a few blocks from me and had her Chinchilla up for adoption to a good home... I responded to the add and this is Rocky (because of his black eye)

Chinchillas! We have some at the animal unit where I study.......warning - baby chinchillas might be the fluffiest things in the world......and Rocky- lol

Rocky is so cute! Now you need to get one with a messed up ear and name him Evander

shaunaroxanne said:

Rocky is so cute! Now you need to get one with a messed up ear and name him Evander

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lmaooo.. that made me laugh becuase i way a Chin today and it was missing a piece of ear

JonRich said:

I have heard that you can convert them to be up and active during the day. I'll see how that goes. Rite now they are on just Thimothy hay and Chin pillets. I hear to keep them away from too many treats. We'll see

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We only give 1 treat a day at the most, and it's a raisin or something cut down to around that size, we also get the dandelion treat things and she goes crazy for those.