Adding a permanent run to the cage.

[randomname]

Have been thinking about how I can make the boys life better. I think giving them more space would be cool. Thought about linking another cage but don't want to damage the cages in case I need them separate again. Then I had a brainwave! I could add an aviary style run permanently, leaving the bottom cage door open. Then I remembered a company I've used with my rabbits for runs & hutches. They're super awesome, bring it all the way from Wales & build it for you, no extras. They only do welfare approved sizes of products, so I love them. They do bespoke stuff so I can get exactly what I want. www.welfarehutches.co.uk/Bespoke_builds-sheds_and_aviaries/cat1466126_3141811.aspx

 We have the Liberta style cage but with single rather than double doors (can't remember it's name) So the options are either a run the full height of the cage, or half height (to the top of the bottom door) I could go 6ft long if it was half height, or 4-5 ft long if it was full height. If I got the full height one, I could get a door built in so it could be permanently up. That would be awkward though, so a half height would suit me better (although I know the chins would benefit more from a full height one so am willing to do that if necessary)

What do you guys think? Would a wooden frame with mesh withstand chins? What size would you go for? & what could I use as flooring? Any ideas or tips would be great. 
Really want something they can access 99% of the time especially at night, has to be cat proof & easy to move & clean. 

[Deleted]

Woo that sounds like a great idea! I don't know what would withstand Chins however as I don't have any. I'd love to do this for my degus, but it would mean Pinky and Perky could scale the outside of the cage and reach Pops and Pickle = disaster!

I think it's a really fab idea though so I'll be following closely!

[deguconvert]

I don't know either . . . do they chew are aggressively as degus? I think it is a great idea, though, and I think your chins would absolutely LOVE it! I took a look at the link, and their work looks awesome! I also love the tunnel/burrow tubes that they have. Those are great! You could use a tunnel to give them access to a run if for any reason it needed to be placed somewhere else than around, or right beside, their cage.

[bouncy]

I did something like this with my house bunny (for when I was out), and a chin that came to stay with me for a few months. They both lived in the kitchen which, at the time, had a floor space of 5m x 2m. I made two panels from 1"x2" timber and mesh, which were 4' high. Basically the same construction as panels for a rabbit run. I fastened them to the walls with magnets. Interestingly enough, they both stripped and ate my wallpaper, the skirting, and the plaster, but didn't touch the mesh panels!

[randomname]

I've got those tunnels for my rabbits, they are awesome! They have a 6ft double hutch in a shed, connected to 2 6ft runs, connected to a 7ft hutch outside. They can come & go as they please, they love them.
Yeah, chins are also known as destructorats!! They're as bad as degus, but as they're bigger they get it done in half the time! My lads aren't very chewy in the cage, but it'd be just my luck to have them chew the run. I guess if there is plenty of barky wood toys they'd prefer that though. I could maybe attach a metal strip over the inside where the mesh/wood meets, would make it chew proof?
The degus have a rabbit run, they have (so far) not chewed it at all, but I don't leave them unsupervised in it.
I'd like to leave the chins with access to the run overnight, but can't risk an escape.
Bah. Looked at metal aviarys & dog runs, but they're too big & bulky & expensive really.

someone win the lottery & buy me a £1700 metal dog run with a roof please?

[moletteuk]

I think with the mesh attached on the inside face of the wood battens then they will be limited how badly they can chew it, but that could be famous last words! I think it would feasible to protect the edges that are within reach of the ground with metal plates, and hope that they wouldn't be interested in climbing to chew when there will be purpose provided chew materials more easily accessible.

What about lino for flooring, would the slight spring in it attract them to chew it? Otherwise you could use kitchen compatible laminate flooring or glue the joins thoroughly. We laid laminate in our pen and it's mostly fine, it has got breached and lifted slightly in a couple of places but only really where there were flaws in the joins as it was laid, we just bought cheap stuff. I don't know what chins are like for peeing in corners and at edges, but we silicone sealed the walls of the pen to the floor so we don't get pee and crud collecting in the crack.

[randomname]

sounds promising bouncy, I think it's worth a try. I'd love to give them a full 6ft so they can jump as high as possible. I am picturing loads of shelves & ledges, but I'll have to think of a way to make it safe. Don't want them to fall the full height & break a leg

[deguconvert]

Those are great tips, Moletteuk! Lots of thought went into your plan for your degus, and would be equally beneficial with chins I would think.

[randomname]

I have a pack of laminate flooring left over from the bathroom, will use that. Great idea moletteuk, thanks
Wonder if other chinchilla owners have used a rabbit runs? Where's natnat or polly or skardsen or chinsight or matt&his3degu when you need them?!