Had Kits, never had them before, totally unprepared

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

Hi,

I'm scouring the forum as you read this, but I'm in a bit of a panic mode.

I will admit that had I been thinking I would have realized she was pregnant. She had gained some size and peed on the carpet twice in the past week when she was out for a run. But he was neutered back in January, and I'd honestly thought the danger was passed.

But I woke up this morning to two new chinchillas.

The lady I adopted them from is going to come and take them to her resuce shelter to raise them with their mom for a while, so I need to get through the next week at the most.

I'm taking the shelves out of the bottom section of the cage (it's a FN) and am going to put in the separator. I'llleave the dad up top to run around. The mom and the kits will stay in the bottom section and I'm off to get some chicken wire to prevent any escapes as I know the bar spacing is too wide.

What other precautions should I take?

Does she need anything extra for food or comfort? Can i leave the little log house in there for her to hide in?

Thanks!

Vicki

 

[starleomach]

If dad is nuetered he should be fine with them. If they cannot escape from the cage take a deep breath and step back and let mom do her job for now. The most immediate threat is babies escaping. If that cannot happen next step is to get a gram scale and weigh them daily to be sure they are gaining weight.
I would give mom some apple juice and water (half and half) in an extra bottle as well as some alfalfa hay. A house to hide in is Ok as long as it can't be tipped over.

 

[6Dusters]

I really don't know much about colony living at this point. If the kits were born in the colony with mum and dad and all is well, then I would just leave them. ( Just note that you don't want your kits going to high places.) Or seperate if you feel better about it. Your man is not going to produce anymore. They make a wire really small at any hardware store you could put all around the bottom if the bars are too wide. The wire is not expensive. Our Ag store sells it in smaller roll then say Home Depot. Make sure mom is not sitting on ledges away from her kits. You want her to stay within reach to snuggle them and nurse. If you let the colony stay together make sure you offer a glass jar so babies can find a place to hide. Don't panic. Offer hay and food on the bottom they are staying. Enjoy them! Come back to your post and read what other breeders add here. If mom and kits are all healthy and happy you will enjoy the week you have. It's not hard. I had a rescue pair that had a suprise birth for me. My only panic was racing out to get a cage with small bars. One of them was out when we arrived home to find the whole new family. Ava's husband Mr. Wilson was happy as a clam with the new faimly. But I seperated them ASAP. Have a look at the breeding area and you will also find some seasoned information posted on the top. Good luck!

 

[6Dusters]

Forgot to add chicken wire will be too big. I think its called metal cloth. The wire is super small squares. I bought mine at the Ag store as the roll was much smaller. Home Depot had only big rolls and they are darned expensive.

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

The Lowe's here has something called 'hardware cloth' or something like that I think, I'm assuming to hang tools from, that was 2'x15' for 18 dollars. Half inch squares, would work for kits. Don't know if that's a good price or not, but I just stumbled upon it yesterday.

Congrats on your unexpected fuzzy cuteness! With two hopefully you shouldn't have to help mom feed (I've never had kits, so I'm going off of reading posts) and it should be a delightful experience.

 

[Rickman]

Yes, it is hardware cloth, and almost any hardware store should have it. Just make sure you put it on the inside of the cage, as kits will get trapped in between!
Other than that, the above advise is right on!

 

[Sheri]

Instead of a glass jar you might want to use a small PVC pipe or something to that affect. Something open on both ends or that has air circulation holes. Moms can be very curious and protective. I wouldn't want one sticking her head in and cutting off air to the kits. I use 4" diameter PVC drain pipe.You only need a small peice. Mine are 4"x6". Hardware cloth is good if a little expensive. But it's less expensive than loseing a kit.

 

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

Thanks for all your advice! I've separated dad. He's exploring his new cage.

All the shelves have been removed from mom and kits cage. They kits look healthy, they're dry and fuzzy, and squeaking and nursing and cuddling with mom. They occasionally chase each other around. One has its eyes completely open.

The mother looks good. She's eating plenty of alfalfa and pellets, and I put a water bottle near her (thankfully I have 2 bottles!). And she's staying with them except to get some food.

They're getting picked up tomorrow, so I have less time with them than I thought. I'm off to the home depot to see what I can find to make sure the kits don't escape. They're currently in a pan that has 5" metal sides, so they haven't managed to jump it yet. Do you think the wire is still necessary?

Thanks!

Vicki

 

[Chinniechantel]

Both their eyes should be open. Can you get a warm wet cloth and soak them for a minute and then try to open them? Don't push it, but with eyes open the kit has a much easier time nursing.

 

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

They've both got their eyes open. Last time I had looked one of them was kind of squinting, but they've both got round little eyes now.

 

[Chinniechantel]

Oh- yes, the wire is still necessary! They will be climbing 3 story cages in a matter of hours, so if they are not already out, they will be. The hardware cloth or a cage they cannot escape from is really needed. Otherwise you will have to sit up awake next to the cage all night, because a day old kit without mommy is very likely a dead kit.

 

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

Thanks! Going to get wire now!

Thought I'd share a couple of pics.

 

[6Dusters]

Awwwwwwwww I love the second picture!!

 

[addictedtochins]

We need more pictures you'll want more too because I'm sure you'll miss them.
They are adorable.

 

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

My camera is out of batteries. I'm going to get some more and then I'll share in a more appropriate thread.

I've calmed down, got wire on the cage, and finally had lunch (it's 4:15 here!). The mom is letting me handle the kits, they look great, and so does she. The kits are climbing the cage walls now. They're super energetic! I'm amazed by how fast they move. Thank you to everyone who helped me.

 

[addictedtochins]

The lady I adopted them from is going to come and take them to her resuce shelter to raise them with their mom for a while, so I need to get through the next week at the most. Vicki

Congratulations! Since everything is going so well why don't you just keep them, at least until weaning time? If you have any concerns about that just post them.

 

[Mittens, Ph.D.]

Thanks! I really shouldn't keep them. Believe me, I'd love to. But my work takes me in and out of town on an irregular basis, and I don't feel comfortable asking a friend to check in on my adults and two newborns. They're safer with someone with experience and the ability to look after them consistently.