HURRAY GOT EM!

[Gilly]

Oh yes, I finally got the phone call that the chippies are ready to be picked up this afternoon. So me and my son went to get them. 2 boys Alvin (I know) and Biz. Jack`s 4 and he liked the names 
The nice lady we got them from also gave us a big nesting box as she said the 2 brothers stick together.
So once in their home Biz darted about nibbling everything, climbing up the mesh and jumping into the conifer tree. He actually climbed on the roof (mesh) which is about 6.5'  Alvin sat on the tree stump and chilled out for a bit, then had a rummage in the grass.
They both retired for the evening about 7.
I`ll get some photo`s asap.

[stephen1970]

At last mate............now the fun begins. When they have settled in remember and post some photos of them in their new home.

[Nate]

Yeah great news, seems ages waiting, good idea letting you have their nest box, I reckon that really helps in transporting them and helping them settle in quick. They don't have to panic in their new home about where they should sleep.

I think you were a bit worried you would not see much of them. But it sounds like Alvin and Biz are the outgoing types, really excited to explore some new territory.

I wonder if one of them will claim the cherry tree stump as theirs, or will they take turns.

[Gilly]

Phew! I`ve been busy with my new arrivals. I get up early to spend a bit of time every morning trying to get them use to me. This means I stand still once their food is out and say their names as well as other strange noises 
They are getting alot more approachable to us. They stare and crouch as though they are going to pounce any moment, but haven`t yet.
I did have to double up the mesh as our cat thinks it`s got live food running about. He kept diving at them when they sat on the frames so that`s sorted now. The view is a bit restricted from a distance but OK.
The best part is finding out what they like too eat. Lettuce, sweetcorn, apple and their mix is favourite up to now.
The only worry I have is they don't seem to be drinking. I bought a bottle the same as the one they had in their old home, but I don't think they have used it. Any thoughts???
Photo`s will come when they sit still for long enough 

[Nate]

I understand what it's like with chipmunks for the first time, you can just loose so much time watching them, I still do. They do get up early, first one of mine to get is Toto, she starts at 6am normally. As I write she's gone to bed now tired right out, but still got three running around me.

Don't think it will be long before they start to jump on whoever is in their home with them. I suspect the women you got them from go them hand tame, so in no time at all you will be frisked by them when you go in.

I didn't press it, but so glad you got it double meshed. I'm not a cat hater, but cats are very efficient at what they do, and chipmunks are especially appealing to cats, probably because of the darting movements and swishing tail.

Food wise, they will have their favorites, mine have sweetcorn everyday, and a quarter of pomegranate in each aviary when I can get it.

Mine tend to have a drink when they get up first, then throughout the day. When thirsty they will spend about 15 seconds sucking water out of the bottles. If they have just had a particularly vigorous chase they will go for a drink. Have more than one water bottle, this is in case you go away and one bottle runs dry or leaks, then they always can get to water. Although I also provide mine with water bowls, try to avoid them. As water bowls need changing a lot (about twice a day), as chipmunks can drink even when they have their cheek pouches full of seeds, so the water will end up with seeds and other food floating in it. With the water bottles I fix them so the spout is about 8cm above the floor or shelf.  Thinking about it, I probably only see mine drink because I'm with them most of the day and I have more chipmunks. So even in a day I won't see each one getting a drink, so I'm sure yours are drinking OK.

Trying to get a photo is like trying to catch them, near impossible. If it wasn't for the invention of digital photography I wouldn't have any photos on this site, perhaps just one or two of a tail going out of shot. Can't imagine how I  would get a decent photo if I used a roll of film, just 36 chances, no chance 

[Gilly]

Thanks Nate for the info. Huh! I can see how they are going to be. I wrote the earlier post at work . Came home and there they are , both gulping away lol.
They are getting braver all the time. They come alot closer now and even let me pick them up 
They will sit in my hand for a minute and the climb all over then scarper.
I`ve not seen where they are going to toilet yet either, so I can clean up. But I`m guessing they will show me soon. I need to relax a bit and things will come together 
p.s. the flexi pipe is by far the best bit of kit for them at the moment.

[Wilsy]

Hi Gilly,

Your aviary looks fantastic. I know how hard it is though. I actually bought an aviary, but had to dig out my garden (as I live on a hill) to extend my patio. It took weeks (& weeks) to lay a new concrete patio and build retaining walls! Hopefully my pics will come out ok of the aviary and the 2 foot enclosure section. I have hung shelves and ropes inside so that they can climb, I have also lined the bottom of the enclosue with straw and safe bedding as they love this. I have put several nest boxes on different levels in the enclosure. The outdoor section, which is all covered by felt roof, is lined with soil and wood bark. They love to chew this. Mine tend to dig no further than a few inches into the soil. I have alsorts growing in there now after they have burried seeds and things

I originally only had 2 chipmunks which were housed indoors The breeder told me they were 2 females, we later discovered that they were actually 1 of each! They had 4 babies in Feb this year and when the babies started jumping and climbing by themselves we moved them outdoors. As last winter my 2 were indoors im yet to find out what they are like outdoors over the cold weather. My aviary is quite close to the rear of the house so that they will be fairly protected from most of the worst of it.

I also doubled up on the mesh, my aviary only came with one layer but I have put an extra layer on myself. I suffer quite badly with cats coming into the garden which sends the chipmunks barmy, even if they cant see it, they know its there! You have to be careful as a cat, or other animals, could get a claw through the mesh. I have read that someone has lost a chipmunk that way. Also the bowls you have for the food, may not stay on the shelves I have steels bowls, as pictured, that sit in holders that clip to the mesh. If I dont put them in the holders I find the bowls upside down and they cant get to the food.

Are you planning on breeding? I had to change the nesting box I had as to hand tame the babies you have to be able to get to them in the nest box. I had to buy a bees nesting box that the lid opened on. You can start handling babies from approx 10days old.

What is in the plant pots in your aviary? I am finding it hard to find something other than herbs to grow in there.

I will have to put on a few extra photo's, will only let me attach 1 as the file sizes are quite big!

Sarah

[Wilsy]

Another pic 

Sarah

[Gilly]

Hi Sarah, thanks for the reply. I like the set up you have. The walkway`s are real smart, and I`ve been trying to get some rope like yours.
Your right about the cats being a worry. But now I`ve doubled the mesh they should be OK. The chippies make a manic chirping noise at the cat that when he gets close. They are quite brave
That`s a good point about the bowls I got for the food. But they do tend to stand on the side`s when scoffing, which keeps them in place.
I don't have any plans to breed them yet. But I would like a few more in the future. It could be a problem though as we got 2 males.
Ha the plants that where in their came out before they went in. One is a blackberry and the other is a blueberry bush. I just put them in there to keep them safe from birds and my sons football. I am glad that the conifer is lasting as the woman who gave us the chippies said it would last a week at best.
I did get a fern thats a bit of shelter for them and they don't eat it.
I`m thinking of adding a water feature like a stream or mini waterfall. My mate give me a new pump which I have to use somehow
Anyway thanks for your comments and I`d love to see some more pics of your aviary. Some more pics of mine with Alvin and Biz to come soon.....Gilly

[Gilly]

I managed to get some photos done,












There we go, Alvin and Biz with their new swing,xmas tree and stream. The tree`s  a bit ropey at the moment, but I`m hoping it will fill out.

[Gilly]

I went in to see my little mates this morning to find them both digging away and burying their seeds and nuts. It's the first time I've seen them do it 
They were very busy and didn't even stop when I went in. They just filled up their cheeks with the new food and was off again.
It was great to watch, the way they very carefully placed pieces of soil over the stash. Biz even put a pine cone on to of one hoard.
The rain doesn't bother them either.

[Nate]

Your munks look quite a bit bigger than mine were at that age, they must be growing their winter coats. Alvin and Biz look about the same size as my adult Chloé. But the photos have disappeared right now.

I've always wondered how the rain affects chippies, boy did with have some down here yesterday, not as bad as Wales though.

Luv it when the chips are just too busy to even say hello, no other pet like that. The aviary looks to be just about finished, nice touch with the water feature.

[Gilly]

I have just about put in what I thought they would need, but then I see other owners ideas and it sets me off on one again  Glad you like the water feature. I`ll let them get some use out of it for now and maybe change it around next year. I cant do too much because of were they've hid their food.
Oh yeah they both stood on my trainers this morning and climbed up my jeans a bit. That's the bravest they have been on their own .