COMMENTS
Hey! I found this site from Yahoo! Answers. I have several chins and would LOVE to get one of these wheels someday, I just wish they weren't so expensive. Thanks for the reviews, they are really useful! I'm bookmarking this site!
~ Kaylyn
Awww, thanks Kaylyn! I'm glad you found the site! I totally understand what you're saying. I started my chinchilla, Tango, out with a Chin Spin for his first two years because the Flying Saucers exceeded my budget. This Spring I finally bought him one and it took him a while to figure it out, but he just loves it now.
There's nothing wrong with starting out with a less expensive exercise wheel, so long as it's a safe one. There shouldn't be any plastic components and it should have the ability to fasten securely to the cage. But if you are blessed with some extra funds one day, this Flying Saucer is really cool!
Thanks for your post - hope you stop by again soon!
Hi Blake,
Sorry to take a while getting back to you - it's final exam season!
Are you using the original cage shelving & ramps, or did you replace them with wood shelves? I've found that the wood shelving seems to cut down on the clatter (and they don't need ramps whatsoever). Also, take a pair of pliers and tighten all the little metal rings holding the cage panels together - even the one that the company attached. If they are loose at all, you will get a lot of rattling. You can also add more rings between panels (you know how they send you a bunch when they ship the cage?)
I don't think it's possible to completely rid the cage from noise, but those things might help. If you are taking the wheel out at night, make *sure* you give your chins adequate exercise time outside the cage each night.
Hope this helps!
I just got my first chin 3 weeks ago, and Your articles have been very helpful for us. I just got the flying saucer it es very quiet and my chin loves it !!! But now I have other problem, before I got the wheel Yiyo just jump to my hand a soon I open his cage and he really was looking foward to spend time with me, and now he seems to prefer the wheel ! If I put a treat on my hand he will take the treat and jump to his wheel. He doesnt comes to me anymore and I miss him:(
How do I replace the original cage shelving with wooden ramps and stuff? Can I use any pliars to fix the rattling...
Hi Ruth! Thanks for your feedback! Sorry to you and Blake for somehow missing your comments and just now getting back to you! I must not have checked the "receive email when someone replies" box - oops :-/
Glad to hear Yiyo likes the flying saucer wheel! I wonder now that it has been a couple of months since your post if his response to you has improved some after he's had time to get acquainted with his new wheel. I do notice that on nights when Tango runs a lot, like if we let him out a little later than usual, he is not as energetic when we let him out. What if you try letting him out of the cage a little earlier in the evening, right when you notice him "waking up" and becoming active?
Don't worry, the wheel has not replaced you! It's very important that he has the wheel for exercise, but social interaction is also important for chinchillas. Spend some time talking to him. I'd imagine that he gave you the cold shoulder in the beginning because he hadn't yet realized that the wheel was going to be a permanent fixture.
Please let me know how things are going with Yiyo. I'm curious to hear if he had become more interactive again!
Hey Blake,
As I said above to Ruth, sorry to not reply sooner! For shelves, check out the "Cage Shelving" link on the right-hand menu.
I only have experience with a Martin's Cage, so can only speak for that, but you can use regular pliers to loosen and remove the metal rings and take out the shelves. Only leave the metal floor, sides, and roof (and drop in tray, if you have that kind). Then you can use screws and fender washers with a drill to secure the wood shelves. This is where I got my shelving and cage plan:
www.geocities.com/secondchancechins/
You could contact them to see if they are selling shelving currently. If not, Simply Chintastic sells them in the same style and safety standards. Their info is on the "Cage Shelving" page. Let them know what kind of cage you have and they should be able to advise you on what kind of shelves you need. (They are really great people with a LOT of chinchilla experience!)
You can use regular pliers to tighten the metal rings that are remaining on the cage. In fact, you almost have to. The "custom" set that Martin's Cages sends really only gets the ring into position.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. Sorry again for the delay!
It appears that Quality Cage Company has removed the flying saucer from their website. Let me know if someone finds it elsewhere or knows why it's gone!
Flying Saucer Buying Question!!
I live in Canada and I'm going down to the states in a few days (florida) and I'm hoping to take this opportunity to buy a flying saucer wheel while I'm down there (avoid the insane shipping and handling costs)
Does anyone know which 'brand' of pet store sells them?
Let me know!
Thanks
Hey Adriana,
Unfortunately, the big chain pet stores don't sell the metal flying saucers. (They make more money off of people buying cheap plastic stuff that breaks in a year and has to be replaced constantly.) What you might be able to do is call an online company and see that, if they were to ship it to your hotel (or wherever you are staying), if it would get there quickly enough. I ordered mine from Quality Cage, but as we discussed above, it looks like they are no longer selling them for some reason. I googled "chinchilla flying saucer" and found that
www.chinworld.com sells them. You might give them a call. They sure make it difficult for Canadians! Hope that you work something out :)
Amanda
Ok, while cleaning out the tub with all my chinchilla supplies, I came across the instructions for assembling the flying saucer that came with it and at the top it says it's manufactured by Meadowbrook Chinchillas. I'm not sure if Quality Cage Company was just works with Meadowbrook, resells the wheels or what, but I haven't yet received a response to my inquiry on their site. Until then, here is the website for Meadowbrook Chinchillas where you can buy the flying saucer:
www.chin-chillas.com .
Looks like they are located in Washington.
Hope that helps anyone looking to buy one. There doesn't seem to be a price difference.
I'm happy to report that my chin is very active and interactive with us and he loves his wheel!. I did'nt knew that Quality Cage wasnt selling the flying saucer anymore but maybe it is possible to find if they will stock this product again by giving them a call. In their web-site it is a toll free number(888-762-2336)
That's great news, Ruth! Thanks for the update :)
Update: Quality Cage Company is no longer able to get the wheels, but still has a few in stock for $69.95 (slightly cheaper) plus shipping if you contact them.
Amanda... Please contact me by email... i want to order from your store but my computer will not allow me to just click on your "email-me" and contact you thank you Paulette Lavender please contact me ASAP... thanks
360-426-9899
Hey Paulette,
I myself don't have a store, but are you talking about Chincessories from Forchinate Chins? If so, here is the internet link (you might have to copy and paste): http://www.geocities.com/forchinatechins/chincessories.htm .
Carise is the store owner and she is wonderful. Let me know if you were talking about something else!
hey guys does anyone know what some good vitamins or something like that to keep their digestive system in check or to give them a little extra boost of calcium??