Hello All

[storykeeper2]

I am new to both this site and to the raising of Chins. I read a book or two, but nothing has prepared me for some strange behaviour wih my little guys. Although they were from three different sources I had gotten them all around the same time. I felt that a large get to know you party was in order, raisens, carrots, the works. With three males and three females it seemed ideal. However, morning proved me very wrong. Everyone looked happy -the fur had been flying that night- and I was so pleased. Then I looked at the smallest male sitting quietly in the bottom of the cage. His ears were torn, his back was bare and badly bitten and it seemed to arch downward at a very strange angle. Thankfully, he could still walk.
I took him to one of the other large cages that I had ready for when they paired off, and after putting ointment on his back, just hugged the little guy and hoped for the best. That was a month go and 'Rocky' is coming along nicely. I swear that he is bulking up for his 'come back'.
Do some chins just not fit in with others? He seems to be a good natured little guy, but he is small. Is the bully factor alive and well in the chin playgrounds? I would appreciate any and all feedback on this and any other advise that you folks may have to offer this newbie.

 

[alli713]

Oh my. Well, the heartiest welcome to you to this site. You will learn a lot here.

First off, groups of males should never be housed or shared playtime with one or more females. You will have dead chins if this is the case. Males will fight to mate with a female and can kill one another or the female in the fight.

Also, I'm assuming you want babies with this shared playtime? Well, if not, then there can be no more play times with males and females as babies will result.

I say that you are safest with only allowing the females to play together and then a separate play time with the males.

However, since they have already fought, the males may no longer ever get along.

 

[starleomach]

I agree unless you are intending to breed males and females need to be kept seperate. This includes playtime the males will kill each other over a female.

 

[Laurie]

Welcome. Please take the time to read through as many threads as you can. Some chins never get along and will fight to the death, so you cannot always house chins together, some have to remain alone. More than one male in with a female will fight for sure. Raisins and carrots are not good treats for chins. Raisins are much too high in sugar and can cause organ issues and even failure in your chin. Fresh fruits and vegetables are not good for chins as they can cause bloat which is deadly to the chin. The best treats are dried rose hips--great for vitamin C, old fashioned cooking oats--just a tiny pinch and definitely not for every day, plain cheerios and a half of plain shredded wheat. They also love to chew on apple wood sticks.

 

[storykeeper2]

Thank you for your prompy reply

Oh my. Well, the heartiest welcome to you to this site. You will learn a lot here.

First off, groups of males should never be housed or shared playtime with one or more females. You will have dead chins if this is the case. Males will fight to mate with a female and can kill one another or the female in the fight.

Also, I'm assuming you want babies with this shared playtime? Well, if not, then there can be no more play times with males and females as babies will result.

I say that you are safest with only allowing the females to play together and then a separate play time with the males.

However, since they have already fought, the males may no longer ever get along.

I will remember that in future. Do you think that any of the females will take to him or is he just considered too weak to mate with?

 

[tunes]

First, welcome.

Second

Do you think that any of the females will take to him or is he just considered too weak to mate with?

Weak doesn't have anything to do with it. Good fur quality, clarity, conformation, and overall breedability is what's important. Do the females you want to put him with complement his strengths and weaknesses? If he is a small male, are your females large and blocky to make up for it? Have you been to a show to learn about what good breeding stock is? If not, have you spoken with an experienced mentor?

 

[storykeeper2]

Wow!

Thank you so much for this timely information. I now wished that I had talked to you prior to getting my chins.
Currently, everyone is paired male and female, other than Rocky and what was to be his mate -she just doesn't like him.
I will lay off the 'book' treats and follow your collective advise. What do most of you feed them as a main food?
And is there any other way to get volcanic pumic bath sand other then in those tiny (expensive) containers at pet stores?
And is corn bad for them? One lady I meet said that she feed hers chicken scratch which I believe is corn based?
Sorry that I have so many quetions, but if I'm going to raise them I intend to do it right.

 

[storykeeper2]

shows

I am not certain if there are chin shows around where I live. However, I will check that out and go to the next possible show.
Rocky is small, but my females are all large and blocky, I'm just afraid thatthey will injure him.
Thank you.

 

[tunes]

It may not just be that she doesn't like him, though since the fighting was so severe, I would not try to introduce them again. Proper introductions can take days to weeks before the chins get along. Had you known how to do a proper intro (no blame, just sharing) they might have gotten along fine.

Yeaaaah, no corn! Wow - the information that is out there is just freaking scary.

There are many different safe feeds, but since you are in Canada, some of them are different from here. I feed Nutrena, others feed Tradition, Oxbow, Mazuri, APD.

Dust wise, you can order it online. There is a list of vendors in the chin supplies for sale section that could help you out with that, or if you can find someone locally, that's your best bet as most people with multiple chins buy their dust in 50 pound bags, which would be incredibly expensive to ship.

 

[Laurie]

Questions are never bad--I'm glad you are here now where you will get the right answers. Through the years and this forum you I found the things vets said and the books said are really not good for chins. As I said read through as many threads as you can in the new owner section and the health and hygiene--you will learn so much!

 

[Jenn]

I got my one and only chin from a lady who was moving and had to seperate this female from the group because she did not get along with the rest. Some chins are better off left single, some do great in larger groups. I was given all kinds of verbal info when I got my chin, and most of it went in one ear and out the other. There is a lot to know, but once you know the basics, chins are basically quite easy to care for. This forum is awesome. The people here are very knowledgeable and love to share info. There is great info here regarding safe treats, appropriate foods, applesticks and hay are needed daily, the pros and cons of breeding, and where you can purchase supplies. Start going through the threads of concern to you, but if you don't find the answer you're looking for, we're here to help.

 

[addictedtochins]

I am not certain if there are chin shows around where I live. However, I will check that out and go to the next possible show.
Thank you.

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13623
Welcome to CnH! I would love to meet you at the next show. There aren't a lot in this area so be sure to attend or you might have a year to wait. Theresa

 

[Tanya]

:welcome6: to the forum!

 

[lauralynne]

Hello & Welcome. You have lots to learn, and you've found a good place to start.

 

[Stackie]

Welcome to CnH!

 

[mishellyshel]

:welcomewagon:

you could spend hours reading all the information posted here!

but before you get to reading, unless you want babies, definitely separate males from females.

also usually once blood is drawn, the chins will not get along. sadly.

good luck with all your new pets. stay away from sugary & corn based treats. best to keep it simple with good feed, lots of fresh timothy hay and filtered water,

chins also love prepared apple wood and my boys love unsugared mini shredded wheat. i only give 1/2 per night.