Cham too small?

[Silkyslim]

Hello there. I recently have begun getting serious and researching what it would take to be a good keeper. This forum is loaded with awesome info (thanks) and has satisfied all of my questions so far, except one!

I have read that it is recommended to house a baby or juvenile cham in a smaller enclosure for the sake of hunting (are there other reasons?). When I do plan on getting my 1st cham I was going to cup feed the lil guy. So, being that his food supply will be in a stationary location is there any reason why I couldn't put him into the 2x2x4 I currently have as his 1st enclosure?

Also while I have your attention: Do you long time cham keepers change your set up configuration ever? My guess is that it would stress the guy out but maybe he gets bored and would appreciate a change of scenery?

 

[jannb]

I did do some cup feeding with my babies but most babies that you buy are not going to have any experence with cup feeding. Your breeders are just not going to have time for it. I would recommend a small cage at first and make sure he's eating well freerange before you try cut feeding.

 

[Breeze]

Well I think another reason people recommend a smaller cage for smaller chams is for safty reasons. Like if he/she falls, he/she could get hurt. Correct me if I'm wrong

 

[Breeze]

I did do some cup feeding with my babies but most babies that you buy are not going to have any experence with cup feeding. Your breeders are just not going to have time for it. I would recommend a small cage at first and make surr he's eating well before you try cut feeding.

When I got my baby veiled, he was fine with cup feeding the day I got him, even though the people I got him from didnt cup feed him.

Sorry for double post

 

[jannb]

When I got my baby veiled, he was fine with cup feeding the day I got him, even though the people I got him from didnt cup feed him.

Sorry for double post

Some might but I read on here where others won't so why risk it.

 

[Miss Lily]

When I got my baby veiled, he was fine with cup feeding the day I got him, even though the people I got him from didnt cup feed him.

Sorry for double post

I found the same with Amy. She wasn't used to being handled much and food was just thrown into the viv. I got her home and put her a feeding cup in and she ate from it straight away. In the morning she was sat on the vine above the cup wating for her brekkie, lol!

With regard to changing the cage layout - they don't like it! If I try and add a branch to Tommy's cage he goes mad - I have to take him out, add whatever is new then put him back in. Males especially can be very territorial. When Amy was smaller I added a croton plant in an attempt to add some colour with it's red and yellow leaves. She HATED it and just sat at the other ide of her viv glaring at it. I had to remove it, little madam!

 

[Silkyslim]

Thanks for the tips, I think I'll see if I can find a used smaller cage because I would feel horrible if the guy fell and hurt himself.

What would the guidelines be to moving to the bigger cage? Is there a certain age recommendation for moving to the larger cage or is it one of those visual things were they just look cramped?

Realistically I feel like I'm at least 4-6 weeks off of getting my 1st one, I want to make sure I do it right and have the cage and environment spot on before adding the colorful final touch.

That's pretty funny cage layout story Lily, I figured that changing things around would be a no no but wanted a definitive answer.

It sounds like the cup feeding may or may not work, worth a try in my eyes though. I just like the idea of the feeders in one easy to find spot.

 

[gingie]

I am curious about when they should be moved to a big boy cage too. Did you get any answers sent to you about that yet outside of your thread?

 

[Silkyslim]

Nah nobody has giving their opinions to me about the appropriate time to make the cage change. If someone PMs me I'll forward it your way.