I may have seen it in a feed store here.. this brand? http://www.fmbrown.com/
If it looks and smells good, go for it! I'm so close to out and am struggling to find any decent hay in bales right now. I go through so much I can't buy it bagged in stores.
I learned this method when I had guinea pigs. A car ride in the same carrier is a new situation with new sights and smells. In the confined space, they'll usually huddle together and that can help two bond. Definitely keep an eye on them though.
Kleenmama's (www.kmshayloft.com) is the nicest hay I've ever seen, especially the blluegrass. However any decent quality, good looking grass hay is suitable. I buy in bales, buying 2lbs for $10 seems insane when you can get 50-70lbs for $5 or so.
It's usually a toss-up. Some two will love each other immediately and some two may fight to the point of harming or killing the other chin. Many chins can be happily paired though and it's great to see them interact in pairs.
There are several methods to introduction but keep in mind that there...
The Martins's playpen is the only thing that comes to mind. The ferret one has 1x1 holes and the rat one had smaller holes I believe. It's the last cage on this page. A couple shelves wouldn't be too hard to make. They are open to customization by Martin's, like a deeper pan or side door...
Leo Braun wheels (if they are the same as the one I had about 6 years ago) are a good investment. They are easier to clean and a lot sturdier than Chin Spins. But the Chin Spin is still a really good wheel. The Leo was super quiet as well and did not shake a Martin's cage much at all.
Long shot, but does anybody know the name or contact information of a chinchilla breeder who actively bred a while ago (not anymore, I don't believe) in Vermont, who also did rabbits? She had a rather unique first name that I could never pronounce correctly. VT isn't a big breeder state so there...
I don't think I have been "banned" per say but hubby would definitely give me a little grief if I brought any additions my five home. He does understand that in the future I will have a chin barn and then it is out of his hands!
Make sure you don't drop these bottles! I dropped one yesterday (the smaller one) from 4' up with it full of water. It smashed into hundreds of bits all over my carpet and I have several cuts up my leg from the glass came back up and swiped me... ow!
Otherwise, these bottles have done fine for...
This is what I have:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Shop-Vac-5-Gallon-Wet-Dry-Vacuum/8477891
I've been using Bermuda hay lately which vacuums up very easily. I also generally do not use the wide end attachment, just the hose for hay. If I hear it get a little clogged I just squeeze the hose where...
Question for fleece users;
With the peeing in the litter pan, would you expect that chins that have been kept on wire-bottom cages catch on to using a pan of shavings? With the type of cage I have I can just wrap fleece around the pull out wire grate so it is becoming a more attractive option.
THANK YOU everybody for the ideas. All my animals are on the wall with the window with all the sunlight, so they aren't in the direct light, but when I walk into the room at 8am it is almost blinding for a minute. I like the idea of the lighter more opaque curtains, I will give those a try.
So now that it is getting nice and hot out here I'm trying to make my house a little more comfortable for the chins. My air stays on a good temp and their room always stays a little cooler. The issue is that their room get a ridiculous amount of sunlight so I think I need to put curtains or...