How how can they jump?

[Hendrix]

I live in an apartment, and I have a balcony...It's not a traditional balcony. Rather, its more like an outside storage with no cieling. Basically, its a square with walls about 8-10 feet high. Surely, they can't get over this right? I know, I may sound like an idiot...but I would rather be safe than sorry and not loose a beautiful creature to a careless mistake. Thanks so much in advance!

[greychins]

I could be wrong, so please see what other people say, but I would still be careful about letting them out there....my chins can only jump 3-4 feet high, but if they can get ahold of that wall at any point (not even somewhere they can fit, just something they can kinda hold onto) they can scurry up the rest of the way. I highly doubt they can JUMP 8-10 feet, but I am not sure that they couldnt find a way out. Mine are escape artists. LOL.

The only thing I can suggest is to put them out there and watch them for a LONG LONG time. And anyway, you'd want to supervise them during playtime, so as long as you're watching them, I think they'd be fine (cause you'd be able to get them before they'd be able to scurry out).

-Ashley

[foxbite2]

I would NOT put my chins out there.. only because I've seen first hand how handy they can be at getting where they want. My chin cage is 5 feet tall.. and I have watched them go from a running start and ricochet off the wall and land on top of the cage, then jump up onto a shelf above their cage and on top of the TV.. They end up about a foot from the ceiling. I've also watched them squeeze themselves between the wall and my dresser and end up on the top of that which is a good 8 feet high... Where there's a will... there's a way....

[Hendrix]

I am not going to risk it. I will watch how the react in a normal room and see if it would be possible to somehow, fix the outside for them. Here is a picture.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a314/myg0tqwerty/Chinchillarunninggrounds.jpg

We are going to remove the plants from the bottom. I am a little worried about that ledge though. It looks much smaller in the picture, but it's well over my head and I'm 6'0''. Thanks! I had no idea the little critters could propel themselves to such heights. lol

[HedgeMom]

You understand that chinchillas need to be kept under 72 degrees F, right? With less than 45% humidity? I don't know what the average temp/humidity is in Milan, but IIRC it is very humid all year long, which means that chinchillas will need full time air conditioning/dehumidifying to keep them from developing heat stroke or fungus. The outside weather is totally inappropriate for them.

[Emilys_Exotics]

There is no need to let the chins play outside, and many other safety issues to consider (as hedgemom pointed out) than just whether or not they can jump over the wall. The best place for play time is a chin proofed room. You are NOT denying them anything by not letting them outside, you are keeping them safe and healthy. As for how high they can jump, I've heard they can jump six feet high, and five feet long. They are definitely good jumpers, and good at climbing and such too.

Emily

[The Animal Farm]

not to mention vermin, birds, the unseen crack in the wall [which I guarantee a chin will find]

[foxbite2]

That balcony is NOT high enough. My chins would be over it in no time.

[HedgeMom]

Ticketyboo, who used to be on this forum, regularly found her chinchillas on the beams of her exposed ceiling, 8 feet off the ground. They ricochet up the walls.

[dawn]

My BV can jump 5 ft with one leap, he could clear that wall no problem.