So i went on a shopping spree today and got all the things needed to make everything for my new ferret nation. I was just wondering if some of the metal things I got was safe. I got snap hooks to hand the hammocks which are aluminum, eyelets like those metal holes on tarps (I'm not sure what type of metal that is, but I got it in the material section in walmart), and screws and fender washers which are going to be on the outside of the cage, with no chinnie contact. Did I do good?
Safe metal?
- Thread starter kayzer209
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ChinnyMom
slave to Rhino and Guss
zinc is toxic to chins, so any hardware inside the cage you want to ensure is zinc free. the hanger bolts/washers/wing nuts i use to put shelves in most likely are zinc coated, but they are on the outside of the cage and my chins ignore them.
the wire i use to make toys is stainless steel, with no mention of zinc on the package.
basically, any metal that you think they might taste/try chewing on needs to be zinc free.
the wire i use to make toys is stainless steel, with no mention of zinc on the package.
basically, any metal that you think they might taste/try chewing on needs to be zinc free.
The eyelets and the snaps are my biggest concern. I don't know if theyre safe. They eyelets fail to mention exactly what kind of metal they are. They're made by prym creative and all it tells me is the size and directions. The snap hooks are
Chinchilla City
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2011
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- 51
Could you please share where you found this information? I know ever since I've had chinchillas, this has been the consensus but many many chinchillas live in galvanized wire cages which is steel coated in zinc. I also know of a small animal cage that is zinc plated and never heard any negatives. So I'm just wondering if zinc is considered toxic because it is toxic to birds or if there is some type of actual research to prove its toxicity in chinchillas?
ChinnyMom
slave to Rhino and Guss
most of what i have read on zinc and chins has been right here on the forum. if you use the search feature and type in 'zinc' quite a few threads come up regarding it.
zinc is toxic to chins IF they ingest it. having it in their environment (such as the washers, etc used in my shelf hardware) is safe if the chin does not chew on it. but because chins are likely to chew on ANYTHING, lol, it is best to provide an environment where the chance to chew on items containing zinc is not possible. i know many members here use the Bass pans, which are galvanized and contain zinc, but i have yet to read about a chin gnawing on their Bass pan.
i have read here on CnH that the zinc can be neutralized on cage bars, etc by soaking the metal in a mix of hot water and vinegar. i haven't done this myself, or done further research on the topic yet.
zinc is toxic to chins IF they ingest it. having it in their environment (such as the washers, etc used in my shelf hardware) is safe if the chin does not chew on it. but because chins are likely to chew on ANYTHING, lol, it is best to provide an environment where the chance to chew on items containing zinc is not possible. i know many members here use the Bass pans, which are galvanized and contain zinc, but i have yet to read about a chin gnawing on their Bass pan.
i have read here on CnH that the zinc can be neutralized on cage bars, etc by soaking the metal in a mix of hot water and vinegar. i haven't done this myself, or done further research on the topic yet.
AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
The cheaper galvanized wire can have a zinc coating that could cause a problem if a chin ingested enough of it. You can just take the wire and leave it outside for a month or two in the roll and that will weather it enough so it won't be unsafe.
Really, for wire for a cage, get the stuff made in the US. Stay away from cheap wire made in China and you'll be alright.
As far as the fasteners go, I don't know if they'd be unsafe even with the zinc coating. It's always a good idea to wipe down anything you use to get any residues off of it. It usually says if something is zinc coated right on the packaging.
I bet that the eyelet deals you have aren't zinc coated...I can't say for sure, but they probably aren't or they probably would have been more expensive. They have a really shiny finish on them, don't they?
Really, for wire for a cage, get the stuff made in the US. Stay away from cheap wire made in China and you'll be alright.
As far as the fasteners go, I don't know if they'd be unsafe even with the zinc coating. It's always a good idea to wipe down anything you use to get any residues off of it. It usually says if something is zinc coated right on the packaging.
I bet that the eyelet deals you have aren't zinc coated...I can't say for sure, but they probably aren't or they probably would have been more expensive. They have a really shiny finish on them, don't they?
Well no the eyelets I have are like a silver matte finish. The other ones that I have seen online were brass plated nickel, but they were a different color. rI sent an email to the company, but they said it may take up to 2 weeks for them to even respond if they even would respond... Sigh...
ChinnyMom
slave to Rhino and Guss
i was always under the impression that the super shiny finish on something would more likely be nickel plating than zinc. am i correct in that thinking?
AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
Usually it would be. The zinc seems to be a little more matte. The shiny stuff is usually nickel plating of some sort.
See I made two different styles of hammocks. one was with tabs that I can just hook a clip on and the other was completely square and I had planned on using the eyelets to make a space for the hook. I guess back to the drawing board...Now I just gotta figure out where to get the hooks...
