Chinchilla Community Forums
Chinchillas => General Chat => Topic started by: Hoppinchins on March 12, 2009, 02:38:46 PM
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Is it normal for not all there poop to stay inside the cage? Is there a way to keep it in? I have a regular wire cage. There is a picture of it in my photo gallery. ::silly::
Thanks
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::silly:: There are several problems:
The main one being chins poop constantly ... everywhere they go ... they drop poop.
1) You have solid shelves ... so when they drop poop on the shelf it is easily knocked off or out when they run around and play.
2) Ditto on the ramps.
3) The size of the wires (distance between them) is way to wide and the poop and bedding can be easily flung out of the cage when the chins are running and playing.
4) Sometimes, a chin will throw his/her poop out of the cage at you to get your attention or if they are mad at you. :D Sounds crazy, but it is true.
The cage you have is not made for chinchillas ... the shelves and ramps are plastic (not safe for chinchillas) and the wires are to far apart (especially if you plan on breeding).
What type of bedding do you use?
::wave:: Jo Ann
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I try to keep shelves away from the sides of the cage when ever possible. When I can't, like where they attach I put a piece of plexie glass, pine or even cardboard. You'd only need a couple of inches up from the shelf to keep the droppings in.
You may never stop it all but this will lessen it some.
Even with my cages made from 1/4 in mesh lets some out. ::)
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My solution is to sweep every day.. LOL. rofl
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:D
We'd have some mess if we didn't!
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I bought this little stick vac at walmart for about 20 bucks . I use it just about everyday to clean up all the little presents that end up out side the cages lol .
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Jo Ann,
I use pine bedding, the bigger shavings. Is there a cage that has smaller spaceing so the poop won't fly out? Or will that always be an issue. My chins have never throwed there poop. Atleast not yet. They are still young. About 4 months old.
Debbie,
I like your idea. I thought about doing something like that bc I also have a hay problem. The hay always fall outs of the cage. I tried different holders, but none of them worked. I just wasn't sure how well puting cardbored in there cage was. I fig the chins would just chew it up. I wasn't sure if plexie glass was chin proof.
I try to vaccume offten, but I don't always have the time and I don't like to vaccume either. But I know i need to.
Thanks everyone for the advice! :)
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::silly:: As a general rule, it's more of an accident that the poop gets out, but, there are times when they will throw it out, to get your attention or tell you "Hey, it's time to clean my cage!" I change the cages weekly, but as it gets closer to the cleaning day, I notice more poop being on the floor. I keep a little broom/dustpan combo near the cage upstairs and a vacuum in each of the two chin rooms downstairs. You may not like to sweep or vacuum, but, it's allot better than stepping in it and taking it to other rooms on the bottom of your shoes or feet.
Remember: Poop is a waste ... it can carry bacteria and parasites that can be passed to others, some even to humans ... the cleaner, the better.
The cardboard shields are good, but will be chewed and have to be replaced. Plexi glass is good, just remember to keep it clean.
::wave:: Jo Ann
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When ever someone sleeps over in our bedroom, Cheech throws poop at them. I'm so proud of her. :2funny:
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I clean their cage once a day. By that I mean I get all the poop out from the shelves, and clean water. This is also the time I fill up there food bowl. Once a week I put new bedding in and clean the cage with vingar.
I also have a problem with the water bottle dripping. I got a new one that has two balls in it so its supposed to be drip resentant. But it not. It works alot better than my other one. Some times it works great and there are times that I will check on my chins or wake up the next day and the shelf that is were the water bottle is will be flodded or wet. This is also the shelf I keep that marble slabe.
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::silly:: The water bottle should not be dripping.
If you have one that has a screw on top ... double check it to make sure the rubber washer in it is clean and set in place properly.
If you have one that has a rubber stopper in it, with a tube sticking in the center, those usually work pretty good ... IF is it leaking ... check the tube for chinchilla pellets ... some chins like to shove a pellet or two up the spout ... usually that just stops it up completely, but has been known to let it drip a little.
A dripping bottle is not a safe bottle ... when chinchillas get wet they can chill easily ... chinchillas usually get sick when they get chilled.
Most chinchillas do not enjoy getting wet ... but ... There are always exceptions to every rule: I have one chin that likes to wet her paws and wash her face and paws with the water in the water bottle ... she has learned to put her paw against the bottom of the tube and let just a drop or two of water come out at a time. She only washes here face and paws, so I guess she a little more particular than most chins. Oh, she does this before she will eat ... that's about the only times she does it.
::wave:: Jo Ann
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I will check the tube for that. I'v never thought of that. I don't think I have a rubber stopper. I think its just two balls in it that is supposed to make it not drip.
Thats cute that your one chin does that. ::silly::
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I try to put Shields on the outside of the cages.
If look behind this chin you can see the cardboard jammed in between the edge posts on the outside of the cage.
The 1/4 mesh is too small for them to chew at it. If they could I would expect they'd make just as much mess with the cardboard.
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Thats a good idea to. Thanks Debbie :)
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Regarding the water bottle dripping, the reason they can do this is because there isn't enough pressure in the bottle. The easiest way to solve this would be to make sure the watter bottle is filled all the way to the top before you screw on the lid. Turn it over and shake it as you usually would to make sure the water is in the tube. Sometimes when you take a half empty water bottle off and turn it over, then try and put it back on the cage it will continuously drip. I've always found changing the water and filling the bottle as full as is physically possible works every time. Hope that helps.
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Thanks Jenova. I thought i filled mine up all the way, but now reading what you wrote, I think I'd be able to fit more water in in when I fill it up.
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I'm really anal about it. I have to make sure there's not even a tiny air bubble in the bottle when I put the lid on... but you probably don't have to go that far. :)
I hope it works.
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I just bought a new cage that comes with a "splash guard" type of thing around the outside of the cage. It's a clear plastic and it helps out a ton. It's only around the bottom of the cage but it's great!
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Thats a good idea. I wander if I can buy a 'spash guard' at a store somewhere. I'll have to look around.
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Hoppinchins regarding your cage I would suggest buying a cage from this site:http://www.qualitycage.com/ These cages are really well built, sturdy, and of high quality. I have had my cage from them for 5 years now and I still love it. ::nod:: I just decided about a week ago that it was time for a new cage(not because my previous one had worn down, just because I figured it was time for an expansion) so I went ahead and ordered from quality cage co. again for they make really wonderful cages. Their chinchilla cages are mesh wire cages with wooden shelves and a slide out tray. I would recommend the townhome size for your chins. Although when looking at their cages keep in mind that they dont just make chinchilla cages, so be sure your looking at the right kind of cage :::grins:: I hope this helps! oh and they are a little pricey but they are well worth it.
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Thanks Dave. I will look into it. I know it will be awhile befor I have the money to get a new cage though. I went out of town for my spring break and my car brok down. It gots $2000 to fix it. :(