Healthy weight/size for 10 months

[HaleyGoBoom]

I don't know the weight of the chinchilla I'm getting, but he's VERY tiny. Almost palm sized. The lady says he's 10 months old, and he's really active but just really really small. I wont be able to weigh him until Friday, and I'll post then, but should they be really small at 10 months? I don't have any pictures either :/

 

[Rickman]

Most of my kits are over 200 grams @ 6 weeks and over 500 @ 5 months, so he does seem small!
Digital scales are only around $15 at Wall-Mart - cooking section!

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Oh wow, I wish I had a Wal Mart that wasn't 3 hours away! I'll have to go buy one at target. I'll post his weight and a picture, it could be poor diet or something. All that's gonna change soon!!!

 

[LovableFuzziezandCrawliez]

There isn't really a set weight for chinchillas in any particular age group. Weight is subjective to the individual. But he does sound small for 10 months.

Feel his body to see if you can feel bones (ribs, spine, etc)...if he seems nice and chunky, despite his small size, then he should be healthy.

Where are you getting him from?

 

[Sasha]

She is getting him from someone off of Craigslist, Katie.

I have chins over 2 years old that are 430gms. They are runts though, one of which is from a breeder and I was warned he would be.

Stacie's Felix was a rehome also and was very skinny when she got him. With Lifeline, good quality hay and pellets, and filtered water he was able to gain weight.

Best thing is to monitor his weight along with food and water intake, and poops once he arrives and then take it from there. Good luck.

 

[EnslavedByNinjas]

My Nibbler is about palm sized. He's 9 months roughly and weighed in at 475g. He's incredibly hyper and acrobatic, a true stuntman! Compared to my fatty fat fat Turbo, he's definitely the healthy one.

That being said, both of them were on crap feed up until they arrived here. 6 weeks or so for Nibbs. But Nibbler doesn't seem overly skinny, he just seems athletic. He runs on the wheel all day except when he's out making ricocheting into an art form.

So, my personal opinion so far, nothing wrong with a wee tot chinchilla. Except if you have to catch 'em.

 

[Spoof]

Weight isn't a good indicator of health since you're getting this guy new, but a scale is nice to have. How much they gain as kits and how fast they gain has nothing to do with adult size.

Sasha gave some great information, good pellets, hay and he should be good to go regardless of size.

Some are naturally skinny, I had an adult male (Ratman) that liked to range 390-420g. They go up and down all year long.

 

[alli713]

Some chins are just small. One of my girls, Kona the black velvet is tiny. Always has been and always will be. I'm not sure of her weight, but at a year old, she's still half the size of my other chins of normal size.

 

[starleomach]

I have a little girl here over a year that still weighs under 300. Perfectl healthy but the size of m y8 wek old kits I just weaned. It happens. She is staying here because here I know no one will breed her

 

[HaleyGoBoom]

Thanks guys, I'm feeling more confident now. I had a lot of bad experiences with pets growing up (my mom wasn't the best care taker), I actually spoke to my therapist about this today because I told her I was having dreams I got the chinchilla and bad things kept happening. I'm getting a little less nervous, I haven't had a bad experience with any of my animals since living with my dad, as they get good food/love/vet visits/etc.

I'm just really paranoid because I want the best and but I do want to be prepared. I can't wait to get him though, I'll be fine especially with you guys here!

 

[sublime5981]

I agree that health cannot be judged by weight alone. If you get him and you're still worried, you could have a vet check him out. Keep in mind, he may lose a little weight when you first get him due to the stress of moving. Alot of chins don't eat or eat less for the first week or so.

I have a 3 y/o male here that averages around 430g. He's about the size of my hand. He was 380g at 8 months and 440 at 1 yr. The result of poor breeding practices.

I knew from birth that he couldn't be bred so, I'm not upset that he stayed small. He is a total sweatheart and one of those rare lap chins.

 

[xpokey77x]

Haley, I don't know if you have a vet yet or if this is too far from you but I take my chins to Dr. Lynn at Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland. They have a separate exotic animal ward and are able to perform surgery on a chin if necessary. Also contra costa vet hospital is available for emergencies for exotics. Just FYI. Good luck with your new baby