Question:
Do Chins need out time or are they happier staying in their cage?


Answer:
I know mine enjoy being out.. I can't let them run around free as I have dogs & cats but they spend time in the bathroom (when I don't have kittens in there) and I have an extra large cage with a wheel that they enjoy.. I can imagine it must get quite monotonous spending ALL their time in the same environment (their cage) so it's a good change for them..


Answer:
I think it depends on the chinchilla, but in general, I'd say they enjoy the space to run and bounce. If it is impossible, for their own safety, for them to have "out" time, then a wheel and larger cage are a big help.


Answer:
Mine thrive on getting out in their playpen....they really cop an attitude if they are not out every night at the same time


Answer:
Mine always dive out , well atleast try to when I open the cage door. I let mine out every other day for about an hour to 2.


Answer:
Our chins like having time out of their cages although right now they don't get much time to roam.


Answer:
My chins rattle the bars for out time :P I have a couple that will push my arm out of the way while I"m trying to feed them to try and escape...little stinkers. Our chins get anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the chin. My one girl Journey runs herself ragged in about half an hour, while Chino and Moya I have to chase them down to get them to go back.


Answer:
Thanks for all your replies. I was just wondering if like rats, they really need the out time, if it's very important to their mental and physical stimulation and human interactions.


Answer:
I think it's very important to some chins and not so much to others. My two are on complete oppisite ends of the spectrum.
Jigsaw would kill to get out for some play time and takes great pleasure in jumping around and finding new things to explore. She gets very depressed if I don't let her have regular play time and will start ignoring me.
Calypso on the other hand is quite content to stay in the cage and often just sits at the open cage door and watches Jiggy going crazy in the play area. She'll come out once in a while when she feels like it but is perfectly happy and content without run time.
I think it probably helps a lot that I have a wheel in the cage. Both chins REALLY enjoy making as much noise as possible with it after the lights go out. I also think the big difference in both chins is due to the fact that Jigsaw came form a hobbie breeder who let the babies have daily play time while Calypso came from a ranch where daily handling and run time was not the norm.