Travel Cage & more ???

[barbi]

This was a travel cage (actually a medium size dog kennel) that I got for Krickett but she doesn't like it because she can't wave to the big trucks going down the highway The inside dimensions are 18" x 24" x 20" high. It has a plastic tray on the bottom so I've wrapped it in fleece. Will this work to bring the boys home in? They're 6 and about 3 or 4 years old beige wood mulching machines. I would prefer not to have to buy another cage or carrier if we don't have to since we have several cages already. Should we put in toys? Wood chews? A hammock? A fleece tube? Ledges? Anything they need for a 3+ hour trip? Should we cover them? Can they have food while we travel? What can we do to make their trip as pleasant as possible? Should we talk to them? Sing to them? Play the radio? HELP!!!!!! Please...Thanks.
Oh, and once we get home, how do we make their transition as smooth as possible to their new bigger cage. They are used to being in a small cage. Is it possible we will overwhelm them with too much stuff in their cage? We are thinking of starting them off with a couple of fleece covered tubes, a hammock and several ledges and the pick-it fence...then add things slowly, but still, is that too much? They are used to one chew toy only in there. Should we have hiding places already in their cage? Hay and food and all before we move them? I'm thinkin' heck yeah, but thought I'd throw that out there in case I'm wrong. Should we let them go in on their own when they're ready? How will we know? Should we move them in when we get home? Should we wait a day or Oh my, I can't believe how much is running through my mind right now!

[Jen and her hooligan]

How big is the spacing on the bars of the cage?

[barbi]

I meant to put that in there...1 1/4"

[bethany]

Personally I think that the cage is okay, but something with smaller bar spacing would be safer. If they have small rat heads they can get their head stuck in the bar and you don't want that. Better safe than sorry, go to the dollar store and get a cheap cat carrier (they are 14 bucks here), or a pet store and get a cheap carrier. I recommend buying a small emergency cage and just use that. That way you have one if you need it, if they are fighting etc.

Three hours is not a big deal, just ride like normal they are going to sleep anyways. If you are going to use a wired carrier put them in a tube or house to hide in.

Once they get home, they will not be overwhelmed by the cage or lots of toys, the more they have the better. It will keep them interested instead of afraid in a big cage with nothing in it. I would go ahead and put them in their cage and have something for them to hide in just in case they are scared. Watch your water bottle to make sure they can use it. Do not be alarmed when they drink less than what you would expect (about an ounce and a half per chin per day).

I will suggest that you need a hammock to catch their fall in the middle if the cage is tall. I wouldn't have greater than 18 inches with out something to catch them but that's me (really I have something every foot).

Wow, I really should check the spelling before I post

[Mrs. Peeperz]

I think that travel cage might work. How big is the bar spacing? Thats the only thing I would worry about. I don't know the exact dimensions to be considered safe but I know they are known to pop their heads through holes that don't look big enough.

My guess is that they will probably be sleeping the whole wayso I would put in some hay and wood chews. A cover would be nice and might reduce their stress. Oh, I would also bring a water bottle but don't set it up. They can get leaky in car rides.

I always talk to my new babies when ever I bring them home. I also keep my hand near an opening in the carrier so they can get used to my smell. When I brought mayo home he actually started cuddling my fingers through the bars. When I moved away he got mad and would rattle the little carrier untill I put my fingers back through. I eventually just opened the carrier and he slept on my hand. I think that was good for bonding.

For their at home cage I don't think its possible to overwhelm them. I would do a hammock, a tube or two, and lots of toys and ledges. Maybe a wheel too. Some people like giving the chins a hiding place right away to make the chin feel safer. Others like to leave that out for a little while so the chin is kind of forced to stay out and interact. I like giving mine hidey houses and tubes right away though. You won't be able to put in food before they get there because you'll want to keep them on the food they are on and transition them off slowly. Once you get them home you can put their food in right away. Hay shouldn't be a problem. Some people go as far as to get a jug of their water too but I never bother with that.

My at home routine is to put the carrier door opening to the cage door opening and let them go into the cage themselves. I've never had it take longer than 5 minutes.

I hope I helped!

[Mrs. Peeperz]

nm. You answered my first question before I posted. haha.

You could also use a strip of fleece and weave it through the bars if you don't want to get another travel cage.

[mistywaterwoman]

I have used a dog crate just like that for transportation before, and it works in a pinch. My fatty girls never tried to squeeze their heads through the bars, I always had hay and chews on the floor for them to keep them busy. I could have just been lucky, but... They weren't in "panic mode" at any time either.

Your older boys should be "calmer" than most of the young 'uns usually are.

edited to add: just saw all your other questions. Bethany has the right idea, once you get them home, set up the big cage, with as much toys, hidey-houses, etc as you want and put them in it. They should do fine with lots to explore/enjoy. It's the out of the cage playtime that you might want to wait a few days for, to let them get used to the noises in your house and the "routine" of your home.

Tidy up the cage every night and replace their food & water, that will get them used to you interacting with their "home" environment, and then on about the 3rd or 4th night, set up a corral and "invite" them out for playtime. It's always best to let them come out on their own, they feel safer that way.

[partygirlha]

If you use that carrier, add another layer of fleece or a tube (as Bethany suggested). Basically something that can hide in and feel safe.

Because you plan to travel a lot you will want to think about a long term travel cage - one for being in transit and one for the RV. Quality Cage makes some collapsible cages qualitycage.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=129_142_153&sort=20a&page=6that may be good for the RV. Only down side would be having to take stuff out to fold it down, and then re-setting it up again.

They also make chin carriers, but many people use cat carries - just watch for chewing.

As for the ride home, almost anything they can't get out of will do for 3 hours.

[partygirlha]

Oh I should add that Quality cage will custom size anycage. They made a 30x30x30 collapsible for my twins as their first home. Now it's folded flat and easily stored. They also make the Chin Spin wheel. I'm a fan of 2 wheels for 2 chins - no fights over the wheel.

And don't forget that you'll need no-drip water bottles for all the travel you'll be doing.

[bethany]

I just wanted to say that I use my small cage all the time. I'm going to get a KD QC one of these days. Baloo is still terrified of the vacumn, he goes bananas and does some scary wall surfing so he goes in the small cage when I vacumn. I had Georgia in it while she was being treated for bumblefoot. When I take chins to school for whatever reason I take them in the small cage and they stay in one of the teachers office that day.

If you would use it, it is worth having one.

[Ashley]

As long as they can't get their heads stuck in the bars that cage should be ok for now. While I always try to give my chins as much room as possible at home, I feel better using smaller carriers because I feel that the chins are more secure, and can't get bounced around while the car is moving. I prefer ryerson carriers, but small cat carriers will work too. I wouldn't put too much in the carrier for the car ride. You could put some hay in, but it probably isn't necessary for a shot trip. Make sure you offer water at stops(gas, etc.) instead of hanging a water bottle on the carrier because the bumps in the car will probably case it to leak. You don't want flooded chins! I would also avoid putting too many loose things in the carrier that could bounce around.

As for the cage at home, I agree that you should put in as many toys as you want. The chins will be nervous at first no matter what, and I think the extra stimulation from toys helps them settle in by giving them something to focus on.

By the way, I don't think I've said congratulations yet! You're going to be a great mommy!

[mistywaterwoman]

I'm with Bethany, if you have the extra cash, get a collapsible cage from QC to keep on hand. They work for emergencies, health issues, separation issues, etc.
I use mine ALL the time!

[partygirlha]

And I really think for the RV they will be great - They might be the only cage you can fit throug the door.

[dawn]

I know Mali would have been out of that cage in a New York minute, she could squeeze under door jams! As long as they are on the larger side it would be ok I think.

[barbi]

Well, since we have no other travel plans in the immediate future except for this trip home, we will take this cage. After we are more comfortable beng chins parents I'm thinking we will know what to do about travel cages in the future At least for this trip there will be no bumpy or winding roads so we're hoping they will be fine. I know Susan is very protective of chins and will not let us leave if she does not think the cage is safe or if the chins don't have what they will need for the trip. I just wanted to be as prepared as possible and not get there and look like a total idiot.
Since we won't get the cage until we pick up the chins, we will be leaving them in this cage until we get their big cage set up. We are also be stocking up on their regular pellets, dust, hay, vitamins, etc from Susan. The only change is we will be using bottled water as we don't even like to give Krickett the water from the tap, it has too much calcium in it for our comfort.
Thanks all for your help, and thanks Kara for the tips on waiting for out of cage playtime...that will keep me from asking tomorrow ;D