Would this work for a chinchilla cage?

[werevamper]

I'm getting a chinchilla within a few months and was wondering if this idea for a cage would work.

There's a bookcase at Menard's I saw the other day that's only $40. If it doesn't fill the size requirements, I might get two and put them together. It has two "pieces" to it where the top is half the depth of the bottom piece. I'm not sure what kind of wood it is but if it's not safe, I'll probably just build my own bookcase just like it.

What are safe woods for chins?

I was going to wrap some sort of wire (around the inside so the chin can't get to the wood as easily,) and use coroplast or something on each floor so the wood doesn't get wet.

If I used fleece as the bedding, would the chin be able to get to the coroplast and if so, what should I use instead? And is there a cheap kind of wire similar to chicken wire that won't hurt their feet?

[ferndalezoo]

With chins you need either VERY close wire spacing or solid sides, as they can break a leg by bouncing off wire walls (whichis why C&C's don't work well for chins). You can build something from wood, but be aware that they chew EVERYTHING. I would NOT recommend fleece for chins. They'd just eat it. We use a shredded paper bedding for ours, and it works well.

Be aware that in general, chins tend to do best in pairs or small groups, though some individuals are testy, and should be housed alone. I have 3 males cohabitating peacefully, but my friend's solo female is vicious to other chins.

[kiara]

I have two adult males who I rescued around 7 or so months ago here are unsafe woods and such that you should know about email me or post again if you want all the info I have on chinchillas from breeders and rescuers I talked to. Heres a list of safe woods if its not on here search it or i will for you there arent many they can have. Kiln Dried (KD) pine with no other mixes such as Furr and Spruce. Apple wood, menzanita, willow, grape vine, loofah, pumice stones, balsa wood, and aspen Are all good for chins (yes I realize some of those aren't wood , just thought I'd add that in their though.
Sisal (a type of natural made rope) is good for chewing, coconut parts that have no existing coconut on them and have been cleaned and baked are good. STRING is bad! very bad, if ingested, it should never be used.


FLEECE items are acceptable they do not come apart (when chewed) in strings that can be ingested and therefore are harmful.


Water if at all possible, should be filtered. The bacteria in water can harm their sensitive digestive systems.