Does she look like a fur chewer?

[Gabby88]

I was just sent a picture of one of the chinchillas I'll be picking up in less than 2 weeks. Her coat doesn't look even at all. Do you think she's a fur chewer? Or does she just need a dust bath?

Or perhaps one of her siblings or mother is a fur chewer. I'll send the breeder an email and ask, but I wanted your opinions, too.

 

[alli713]

It doesn't really look like chewing to me although the picture is kind of blurry. To me it looks like she needs more dust baths and it also looks like she just doesn't have the best quality of fur. Some whites tend to look more cottony than smooth, and it kind of looks like she may have that, but more dust baths may fluff her up a lot more. It's not a big deal, just not something you would want to breed.

 

[Gabby88]

I haven't gotten any clear pictures of her, but her coat always looks a little uneven in all of the pictures. I'm thinking she doesn't get many dust baths.

She's just going to be a pet. I have no intentions of breeding...ever. Haha! (well, maybe after about 10 more years of learning everything I possibly can, after I buy a bigger house, and after I find a husband who would let me. lol)

 

[Gabby88]

Do you think her fur will look better as she gets older? I'm not too concerned about it though. It would've been nice to show her eventually, but I might have to just show the other one. I only planned on doing that for the experience and for fun anyway (and because the Wisconsin show is so close), so it's no big deal.

 

[Spoof]

Do you think her fur will look better as she gets older?

In my experience with chins that look like that - no.

Did they tell you how old she is? She does not strike me as a very healthy animal.

(Not saying that to be rude, just an honest opinion).

 

[Gabby88]

I think it's just a bad photo. She's about 11 weeks old right now. I was sent this picture just a few days ago. She looks much better here. (minus the wire ramp) Maybe she's just in serious need of a dust bath?

 

[Gabby88]

But now I'm getting a bit worried. I haven't seen her in person, so it's hard to tell. If I go to pick her up and she looks unhealthy, what should I do? I already paid a deposit.

Nerves are getting to me now. I just want healthy, happy pets.

 

[Spoof]

She's in need of a lot in that photo - that's not a wire ramp but a wire wheel. However, I'd say she is not a furchewer and her fur won't look as clumpy with dust baths.

She still doesn't strike me as the most healthy, but since she is so young you can fix that.

 

[Gabby88]

She's in need of a lot in that photo - that's not a wire ramp but a wire wheel. However, I'd say she is not a furchewer and her fur won't look as clumpy with dust baths.

She still doesn't strike me as the most healthy, but since she is so young you can fix that.

I'm glad she'll be going to a great home with no wire wheels! The spaces in that wheel are way too big, she could get hurt. Plus, aren't kits that young not supposed to run on wheels so they save their energy for growing until they're about 6 months old?

I just hope she's ok. She'll get plenty of love and dust baths with me!

 

[Spoof]

Just go and see her and go with your gut feeling. It's not so much the wire spacing on those wheels as the giant metal bar that acts like a guillotine.

In the future, go see them before you pay a deposit. ) I'm sure she'll be fine.

 

[StevieP]

That breeder needs to spend some time on this forum! I've seen that chin outside in the grass, and now on a dangerous wheel.

 

[Gabby88]

Unfortunately, the closet chinchillas I could find were all over 2 hours away. And with hubby working all day and using the only car, making an extra trip to see her before putting a deposit down wouldn't have worked out.

I have faith that she'll be ok. At least she'll be coming home with me, and I've done so much research and know so much about how to tell care of her well, that she's better off with me anyway.

 

[Gabby88]

That breeder needs to spend some time on this forum! I've seen that chin outside in the grass, and now on a dangerous wheel.

I completely agree! At least I know I'll be providing a great home where none of that will happen.

 

[Laurie]

If she looks unhealthy you should not get her--as you will be paying more for getting her healthy. There are many good breeder's in both Wisconsina and Illinois, this guy is definitely not one of them. Putting chins outside and on a wheel like that is very bad care. If you had your heart set on show quality animals I would try to change that--they most likely will not be--but as pets all you worry about is how cute they are and how much you love them, so that will be fine!

 

[Gabby88]

I agree. If she looks unhealthy when I see her in person, I will politely decline and ask for my deposit back, as receiving a healthy animal should be part of what I paid for and if they can not provide that, I should receive my deposit back.

I would rather not have all of the vet bills and heartache associated with purchasing an unhealthy animal, especially since I haven't had chinchillas before, and I want it to be a 100% positive experience.

But now I'm super worried.

 

[Gabby88]

I'm just completely disheartened after seeing the new pictures today. I just want everything to be perfect, and now I'm on the verge of tears.

I'll go see her and see what I think before I make any decisions.

 

[alli713]

Ultimately it's up to you for what you decide to do with the chins. But for what it's worth, if you do buy them from the breeder, in hopes of getting them to a better home, you kind of just are giving more incentive to the breeder to keep breeding poor animals. It's kind of a catch 22.

And I agree with Laurie, there's actually a number of good breeders in the WI/IL area. Sometimes you do need to travel a bit to get to them, but they are there.

 

[Gabby88]

I sent a bunch of questions to the breeder. I'll see what they say.

I've spent months and months and months researching and learning. And I've spent TONS of money getting their cage set up and making sure they have everything they need. And now I feel like I'm doing something wrong by purchasing them, and instead of being excited I'm super nervous. Grr!

Ultimately, I will make a decision that's the best for me and for the chins. I'll just spend the next few days trying to figure out what that is. And I look forward to getting some of my questions asked and responded to from the breeder. Until then, I'll try not to get too upset.

 

[StevieP]

Edit: Glad you emailed him.

 

[Gabby88]

I would call or email that guy and ask why does that chin look so rough. Maybe he doesn't dust his chins enough. Also ask where did he get his breeding chins from.

I just sent an email with a list of questions. I'm hoping to get an answer soon...and some good ones!!