| Building a chinchilla cage is much easier than most | | | | the best choice. The panels wipe clean with a moist |
| people think. All it takes is a few tools and materials, | | | | cloth and they cannot be chewed unless the chinchilla |
| as well a bit of patience. | | | | can find an edge. Ideally, you should get the 1/8 inch |
| Why build a cage? You will save money. Animal | | | | panels if you can find them, as the thicker panels are |
| cages, if you can find them locally, are still quite | | | | heavy and hard to work with. With the thinner panels |
| expensive. A large cage could easily cost you $200 or | | | | you can easily carry the cage by yourself. The main |
| more. If you are shopping on the internet or | | | | reason I love panels is that it keeps the chinchilla |
| mail-order (which you might have to do with limited | | | | mess inside the cage, but you can just as easily use |
| local options) and now you'll have to add in high | | | | 1/2 by 1 inch wire to cover the sides of your cage. |
| shipping costs. Building a cage, even a large one, | | | | For the frame I recommend 1x2 lumber (ash or pine, |
| should cost well under $100. | | | | whatever is inexpensive). Get enough to create a |
| Even more importantly, though, is the opportunity to | | | | complete 3d box for the frame of your cage. You'll |
| build the chinchilla cage you want. If you buy one in a | | | | some 2 inch wood screws to build the frame. The |
| pet store you are settling for someone else's design. | | | | melamine panels (get them cut where you buy them, |
| The cage you find might not fit your space, or be | | | | or cut them with a circular or table saw) fit inside the |
| particularly attractive. If you build your own cage you | | | | frame, attached with Liquid Nails or another adhesive. |
| can create the size and shape you want - in addition | | | | You can caulk the edges to make them watertight. |
| to a few, convenient upgrades you won't find in a | | | | Build a door or doors the same way (a frame of |
| pet store cage. I've noticed the average chinchilla | | | | wood) but staple wire to the door so you can see |
| owner will want to upgrade about two years from | | | | inside the cage. Other considerations include covering |
| their initial purchase: so why not build the cage you | | | | the outside with a plywood (for a nice furniture look), |
| really want in the first place? | | | | staining the exterior pine, building shelves, and |
| First, design your cage on paper. Will it be a box? | | | | attaching wheels to the base if you want to move |
| Chinchillas love height, and a three to four foot cage | | | | the cage around easily. |
| is a good choice. If it's too high you'll need to put in | | | | Although the process may sound daunting, all of |
| full levels so a chinchilla can't fall all the way to the | | | | these steps could easily be completed by a beginner. |
| bottom. You can make the cage as wide as you like | | | | Just carefully plan your cage before you buy |
| for your space. | | | | anything, and ask for help at the big box store or |
| The cage can be made of anything, but you'll want | | | | lumberyard you buy at (have them make the cuts |
| an interior surface that does not absorb water or is | | | | for you). Eventually you will have the cage you've |
| easily chewed. Melamine panels (often found in the | | | | always dreamed of. |
| bathroom section of the big box stores) often make | | | | |