Just saying Hi

[chris]

What a great website and forum.

We just got our first 2 chipmunks Scrat & Chip this week and they're great.
We love watching them run around their aviary.
Any ideas for things they would like to play with would be good. We have put a branch from an apple tree in there for them to run up and down and a pot of compost  for them to dig in which they do quite frequently. We have also tied half a coconut to a string and its great to watch them hanging upside down from it as they eat it.
They have a nest box each is this enough or should we add another one so they have a choice?
The aviary is floor to cieling  2.5 feet wide and 1.5 feet deep.

Regards

Chris

[Doghouse135]

Hi

I was originally told to give them plenty of nest boxes as they would sleep in one (each) and like another to hoard their food in.

Unfortunately, mine just used the spare as a toilet !! 

[chris]

That was another question I was going to ask is it worth putting in a small animal litter tray for them to use as a toilet as we haven't found any evidence of where they are going to the toilet yet

[Nate]

Hi, welcome to the board.

Incase you missed the page there is a bit on toys for indoor aviaries here:

http://www.super-chipmunks.co.uk/toys.php

Mine do like their Wodent wheels (Senior size), and I have just ordered another four as a first time order from these people:

http://www.equinecaninefeline.com/catalog/index.php

I've also ordered for the first time a couple of Happy Trails Formable Rope never seen that before, so will let you know how I get on, might even arrive tomorrow. I used to use PetPlanet but they mucked up the last order for me, so I'm trying Equine Canine Feline.

Look in the corners, most of mine will back in to a corner, tail up, to go to toilet. I put down wood pellet cat litter or chunky saw dust. Don't use the expanding cat litter as chipmunks can eat it and die when it expands inside them. Avoid the fine saw dust as people have said it can clog up their noses.

[chris]

Thanks for the tips on the toys.
Is it best to keep changing the toys on a regular basis so that they get different things to think about or would you keep the same play things in all the time?

[tarcus/Kevin]

On the subject of toys i found that having a selection to swap works.
That is offering loads and removing some and replacing them with those removed before.
They will, just like dogs have their favourites and will let you know if you try to remove the wrong ones at the wrong time.
You may find that any rope toys such as those sold for parrots will hold their attention if you hide peanuts in the tassel ends,I also use old cat balls (the ones made of plastic with bells in) I take out one section of plastic and fill it with nuts so the roll it round till they find the entrance as it were to eat the nuts.
If you need to find the toilet your nose will direct you to it after a while,I would advise cleaning with a brush and water only replacing any materials with hay or straw as needed.

[mazmich13]

Hi
Mine love ropes with knots in them. All three of my chipmunks get together and chew the knots until they come undone, then start on the next one.
Toilet training can be a little hard and you have to give it time. So stick with it and good luck!

[sheilajcutler]

Hi I have a "rat run" in my aviary. i have guttering running along one side of the shed which leads into garden tree tubes tide on to the wire sides they love to run around and around. i also have an a length of guttering face down on the floor with hoes in it and they go in and out of them. loads of tubing - guttering corners, hanging socks stuffed with straw is bubbles fav place already, I think she is nesting there.

Sheila

[chris]

Thanks for all the advice on toys and things that i'm getting.
These are the first chipmunks we have owned so its a bit off a learning curve for us as well but they seem happy enough so far.

[juliusanewyork]

i sew all alot of the "fun places" in  little cleo's cage, i use fleece and soft materials to make long tubes and she busies herself  making the escape routes! i also braid pieces of material(flannel is great) to make rope like buildings ..she loves everything! also a loose piece of material is fun for her as she wrestles with it on occasion. i have never spent money on any item...that she actually used or enjoyed..i always just make stuff ...and she seems to be a  happy critter!  juli

[juliusanewyork]

coconut! i never thought of coconuts! thanks! juli