Don't know what to do

[Maighen]

Okay so here is the deal....my sister has told me that they have 15 chinchillas....not counting the female they want me to take....and there are 5 possible pregnant females..also not counting the female they want me to take! So basically left at the house is 16 chinchillas with 6 possible pregnant females..I think.

 

[Maighen]

I just got back from picking up the female....she is very big....she doesn't like to be held or touched too much. I asked Chris if he was going to keep the rest of the chinchillas and he was unsure. I gave him my phone number and told him that if he gives me enough time....I may be able to find a temporary and possibly permanent homes for the ones he no longer wants. He told me that this female who he calls Sparkle...could be Baileys mom...but doesn't remember....he also said she is between 4-5 years old. Does age make a difference when having kit(s)?

 

[tunes]

Not really, especially if this isn't her first litter. Females can have kits into their teens with no issues.

If she doesn't like handled, then I wouldn't push it too much. Give her a cage in a quiet corner somewhere and try to keep commotion to a minimum.

This guy sounds like a real piece of work. Doesn't know who Baily's mother is? Idiot.

 

[Maighen]

Bailey is making chirping type noises and Sparkle is answering. It is cute! Chris is possibly expecting kits from at least 5 other females. The cages were clean and there was food and water in all the cages. The only thing I was wondering about was there was a white male(so I was told) in a cage with a gray female and every time the male moved from the back corner of the cage...the female would jump on him and make him go back into the corner. Do females always do that?

 

[3CsMommy]

Depends on the female, but that could also be "Honey, it's time for you to get out of my birthing suite because you're never laying another hand on me again!" behavior.

Over a dozen chinchillas and can't be bothered to remember which ones came from which? There's a great breeder. *eyeroll*

 

[musherbob]

quarantine

I wouldn't quarantine the new chin.I agree with Kansas City Chinchillas,as long as the new chin comes from the same home I wouldn't worry about it.But I would still observe both animals for any changes.
Bob
Colorado Branch of Empress Chinchilla

 

[Maighen]

I have Sparkle in one corner of the room and Bailey in the other corner of the room. Sparkle is not eating the timothy hay....does that mean she doesn't like it? She takes it from me....smells it and throws it....Bailey loves it!

 

[addictedtochins]

She doesn't like to be held or touched too much.

No way to know for awhile, but I bet she'll settle down with some love and attention and if she's pregnant she be happier when that's over with.

 

[Maighen]

I agree! She is resting a lot and drinking lots of water. Not eating a lot though...but I figure that could be because she has just moved into a new place and a new cage. Just have to wait and see!

 

[Cheknnudol]

Hey, good job taking this girl We're all here to help when you need it and I'm sure if you looked around the forum for some people nearby, they'd be willing to give you a phone number if you needed help suddenly.

Something you may want to think about (not that I know , really) would be 1) pictures because we all want to see this silly fat prego girl and your new boy, and 2) weighing her in. Without any previous weights on her I don't really know how you could tell if she was coming close to the end of term or not, but in another thread it was said that chins will eat less closer to the end of their pregnancy. Perhaps that is why she isn't so keen on the hay? Also, what kind of hay are you using?

My new boy came with a giant bag of hay that's just no bueno at all, yet he prefers it to the good stuff I buy. Go figure!

 

[Chinnies]

I'm not sure if there's a rescue anywhere near you, but you might want to look into that so if/when this guy tries to get you take more of the chins he doesn't feel like having any more (poor things- this guy needs to be shut down!) you can refer him to the rescue. That's just plain sad what he's doing. Kudos to you for taking these chins in and you know we'll be here to help you through it all!

 

[Maighen]

Kaytee Western Timothy Hay...which I know that isn't the good stuff....but Bailey likes it...I have tried to offer him something better for him and he chirps at me and throws it!!! I have to find a way to take pictures....I'm sort of technically impaired lol. What scale do I use? Or better yet....where do I get one?

 

[tunes]

Wal-Mart has gram scales for around $25.00. I would imagine Target, K-Mart, or any other discount store would as well.

Not all Kaytee hay is bad, most people just prefer more consistency. One time you buy it it will be fresh, the next time dry and brittle. If you've got a good batch and he's eating it, let him eat it.

 

[Maighen]

I have been looking for a rescue....to no prevail(sp) so far!

 

[Maighen]

I will have to check out wal-mart this week. Thank you!

 

[tunes]

Maighen - I have a good friend in the area that would be able to take this female in and help her through delivery. She's very experienced with chins and I trust her completely. I'm sure she would be happy to help out. Would you like me to contact her for you?

 

[Maighen]

I should say yes....but.....I would like to try it myself. I mean......I can't get experience if I don't take the bulls by the horn and try right?

 

[tunes]

Unless you plan to start breeding, this is an experience you may not want to deal with unless you absolutely have to. If the kits are born and the mom can't support them, that's every 2 hours hand feeding, 24/7, for at least 4 weeks. It doesn't matter if you work or have kids, it still has to be done. A C-section (IF there is an issue) on your end of the country is pretty pricey. I think someone told me they paid $1100.00 on the east coast?

Just a suggestion, if this might be more than you signed up for.

 

[Maighen]

Wow! I'm not planning on breeding...really I wasn't even planning on getting another chinchilla especially a female. But she is here now.....I am considering all my options....I also know that Parkerspetchins from this forum lives in MA and has told me if I need anything she'll be willing to help. I have an exotic pet vet that I took Bailey to and I am going to call him tomorrow and have Sparkle seen.

 

[tunes]

Good! Glad you have back up. It's nice to have someone nearby that can help.

I wouldn't drag Sparkle to the vet though. Seriously. She's already had enough change with the move to your house. Taking her to the vet is just going to stress her out. Either she's pregnant or she's not. If she is, the vet can't tell you anything about her other than to wait until she delivers.