both products stored in airtight containers will last a year easily. pellets are essentially ground up types of hay and all, and hay is dried grass. most farmers store there hay in wraps for a year or two easily
My guys have a set of wooden children's steps that so they literally walk up the into the cage when they are fed up... don't know if that would help? Otherwise yarp cover up I guess
Though people will say chins are crepuscular, that's only a rough description, my finding like most rodents I have owned is they nap on and off at all times and keep there own schedules.
crazy little critters I know my boys wake at 8pm for example play for 2hours, nap then wake up again at...
I have one as its the only decent chin wheel available here.
In terms of if its quiet yes, as long as you fit it well and put something sound absorbing (but thin between it and the cage bars).
I'm happy with mine and the boys go nuts on it which is great.
Yarp, if you pop it in the spot they usually go they will normally start to take to the pan with some kind absorbent material in it. I use kiln dried pine shavings in my but loads of options.
mine were about 4months old when I got them. This was the earliest the breeder was really happy to let them go just to be sure they were happy and healthy also he bonded the pair for me which was a win!
what helped me on mine other than trying a few brands was to get the herb type treats they are allowed and mix them in the hay a bit, that way they have to try a bit of everything to get to the nice smelling stuff..
My Girlfriend family has Gerbils like myself, and had a cage with less than a CM bar spacing. the cat was always fine with them then one shoved its paw straight through and caught hold of the gerbils tail.
Gerbil managed to escape in the end but blood was drawn. it came out of the blue and...
I have the savic Royal suite and have been extremely pleased with it. I like that it has mess guards built in.
Though like all cages it comes with plastic shelves which either need to be covered in fleece or replaced.