Getting Chinchillas again!

About 10 years ago we had 2 chinchillas. Both came from Petsmart. First we had Joey. He was sweet, friendly and curious. We had bought a wire ferret cage from Petsmart and all the basic necessities.  I didn't do much research and wish I had since the cage was FILLED with plastic parts and I'm sure we did some dangerous things - like giving multiple banana chips every day.  Soon after that we wanted a buddy for Joey, so we went to Petsmart and found a friend.  In the store my husband and I both got bit by this chinchilla and I knew that he would never be adopted if he was a biter. So I took him home and figured if he wanted to just live in the cage forever than that was ok!  I wish I had known that it is possible to make them tame again.  Anyway because he was a biter we named him Lector.   Sadly a few years later Lector escaped the cage and went under our tub in our bathroom. We never saw him again.  A while after that we found Joey at the bottom of the cage, he had died too.  Neither chin lived much more than a few years.  They are supposed to live 10-20!  I don't know if it was something I did wrong - too many treats, plastic, stress, or something else.  But for both I felt terrible.

A few weeks back a meme had me giggling and wanting to try again. This time I joined some chinchilla owner groups on facebook and did some research, A LOT of research!  I was going to be prepared this time!  It took me a few days to convince my husband that we should do it again.  I had to have a plan because chinchillas are not good pets for small children, and we have 3!  I had to figure out how these would be MY pets not the kids'.

Our house is naturally noisy, so I had to find the quietest room, which happens to be my bedroom.  Our room is small so I had to find a spot - which I finally did!   I found the closest breeder - which was about an hour and 20 minutes away from me and picked out which 2 chinchillas I would get. Luckily they were already buddies so I didn't have to worry about that!

This time I wanted to design a cage and build it myself. This way it would be to my specifications and needs as well as theirs.  After some research I learned that it needed to be made out of Kiln Dried pine boards only.  So after 5 days of designing and double checking I was ready to begin.  I went to Menards and got what I would need.  Or most of it.  I began building.

I made 6 trips to Menards in 5 days for parts that I didn't realize I'd need. I had some help from my brother with the doors and on day 6 he came and helped me build a stand.    I am SO proud of this project. I've never designed or built anything like this!  I still can't believe my design actually worked out and that it actually looks pretty good!

I spent a few days gathering more information, a feeding plan and everything I would need or need to know.  I got a flying saucer wheel that they won't be able to use until they are 6 months old, and unfortunately it is plastic so if I'm letting them use it unattended I'll have to replace it with metal. Feeding dishes, hay dish (also have one built into the cage), chew toys, pine bedding and a litter box (originally I got a plastic one and changed it out for a glass baking dish right away), I got plain cheerios as a treat and bought a treat bag from Petsmart that I've picked out the pieces that are ok for the chinchillas to have. I got fleece material to line the bottom of the cage and their little houses.  I got dust bath and have chosen a $6 goldfish bowl as a bathhouse instead of the $20 one at the store.

The following Monday I got these 2 guys!! It was a long day driving an hour and a half each way, but  look how cute!!! They only 4 and 5 months old!

Ignore the plastic litter box, I replaced it within a couple hours with none plastic.