Chinchilla Bonding?

lovespekes · Jan 12, 2013

I know there are no hard fast numbers, but would say in general that most chinchillas bond after being properly introduced? I have been reading up on all the guidelines and suggestions on how to slowly introduce two males so that they will bond.

I'd love to find another male for Andie to be buddies with but honestly it would be a tight fit if they didn't bond and I had to keep to seperate cages. It would be doable, but not preferred.

If I'm only looking at a 50/50 chance, then I probably would not want to chance it, but if the odds of them getting along and being able to live together are higher then it might be something I would want to try.

We give Andie quiet a bit of attention, he has a nice sized cage, and I"d just love to see him have a buddy. Also, my heart goes out to some of these poor chinchillas I see for sale on Craigslist. I'd just love to be able to give them a good home.

Not sure how much this matters, but Andie is about 15 months old and we have had him since October. He seems to have a very sweet disposition although he's not a big snuggler.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Riven · Jan 12, 2013

It really depends mostly on the chins' temperaments.

I have the best luck setting up breeding colonies after being to a show, it's a stressful situation and when they get home they're glad to have company! My favorite intro is two chins one carrier and a car ride, then back home to a neutral cage.

Stackie · Jan 12, 2013

If you don't prefer to have two separate cages and two of everything I wouldn't get a second chin. There's no guarantee they will get along, and even if they do they may end up fighting days, weeks, months down the road and have to be separated anyway. I have had more failed intros than successful ones.

Riven · Jan 12, 2013

I personally have had great success, if I had to put a number on it it's say 90% success rate. Usually though if it's in the 10%... it's not pretty and ends up in a wounded chin.

But I agree that if you don't want two cages, then don't get two chins.

AZChins · Jan 12, 2013

Those long car rides can really help in introducing chins. Males and females do well with that, but females bond so easily over being in a carrier for a long-ish car ride.

Even if chins get along, you still need a couple cages, just in case...