Hola, few questions.

[Abomination]

So, I got myself a chinchilla last night. She's 4 years old already and is alone since she seems to hate other chins. Anyway I got her all the things she needs and she's settling in her new cage pretty well. Only thing is that she really dont like to be carried. I let her out of the cage for little bit at evening (opened the cage door and she hopped out) and let her run around, get to know the place. After a while thought it'd be enough and tried to grab her, but she sprinted to the other side of room second I got close. I didn't chase her since I read that's not a good thing to do and after a while she hopped back into her cage (not really sure was it because she realized that's the cage and had enough or just curiosity ).

My question is that can she be taught to be handled (for short periods of time) at this age? Or is 4 years too old?

Guess it could be just nervous of the new surroundings and stuff. She did let me scratch her through the cage later at evening and I gave her a treat for that (safe to eat lil piece of...err dont know english word for it). First night went pretty well after that, she didnt make too much noise in the cage. When I woke up this morning she was already sleeping in her little cottage there. I am kinda worried about her since the old owners fed him some seedmix thingy and I know that's not good. She did eat the chinchilla pellets I gave her though so that's a plus side.

 

[rach_leigh]

Sounds like things are going well so far! Some chins just don't like to be handled, unfortunately. Most will tolerate it for a minute or so. Mine don't like to be picked up, but will hop out on my arm or shoulder. Just give her sometime to get used to her new home and owner, she will learn to love you!

As for treats, use them sparingly. Plain shredded wheat (little size) are a big hit with chins. Also, apple twigs and willow items!

You are right that food with seeds mixed in is not healthy for chins. Just stick with the plain pellets and lots of hay! She will be a happy lil girl! Good luck with her

What's her name, by the way?

 

[AZChins]

Give her several days. Everything is brand new to her, she may even get a little worse as she settles in. Chins go to new homes and everything is completely different, it can make them quite angry at times.

Four years old is not an age too late to start handling a chin. Take it slow and easy. You have to earn her trust very slowly. Start out by letting her run over your hands and then you can start handling her a little longer a bit at a time. Eventually she will be trained to be held. After a month you should be able to scoop her up and hold her. Just be gentle and always be positive as you talk to her. Chins love to be spoken to in a kind sweet way.

 

[Terbear24]

yes just give her a little bit. The fact that she already let you touch her is really good and I think you are doing well. Just give her awhile and she will probably come around.

 

[Rickman]

I was once given two 4 and 5 yr. old female rescues, who were biters, sprayers, and fur chewers, from a rescue that had to move.
Within about 4 months, with much TLC, good food and hay, they would jump in your hands as soon as you opened the door, just to be held!
About a month later, I adopted them out as a pair, and their fur was growing in well.
Didn't know much about their backgrounds, but I imagine they were mistreated, as a little patience went a long way with those two!
Give them time, and they usually come around - good luck with her!

 

[Abomination]

Oki, thanks for the replies. Her name is Viivi. Last night I let her out again and she searched through pretty much every inch of the house, leaving little presents for me at interesting points After an hour she hopped back in her cage. Later she was trying to gnaw the cage door and followed every movement of my hand, pushing her nose from the cage. Cute as a button.

 

[Abomination]

Third day in, I let her out of the cage few times last night. She even let me scratch her and climbed top of me. Though the last time I let her out, I accidentally scared her by probably making too quick move. She jumped, left behind little fur and ran behind the couch and stayed there for a long time. :| She was out like close to 2 hours till I managed to get her into the cage.

How often do you need to clean poop and stuff out of the cage? I know you're supposed to clean it completely every week, but in between?

e. Oh and I'm pretty worried that she gets bored in her cage. Is there any good toys out there?

 

[VolunteerChin22]

First welcome to the world of chins!

Second, it's might be a bit too soon to be letting her out of the cage imo. She just got to your house and is still getting used to being in her surroundings, ie her cage. I am not against chin playtime just think she should get used to her cage and you first. She probably isn't bored in her cage yet, she has just figured out that you will let her out when ever she comes to the door so she's taking advantage of it! Plenty of members make toys on here and sell them, but you can also make your own toys out of approved chin safe woods.

Also, it is much less stressful and easier to catch a chin in their dust house to end playtime or to catch an escaped chin- no chasing no drama lol. Make sure the area you let her play in is safe - they will chew on everything including power cords, drywall, furniture- you name it...perhaps investing in a playpen would be a good idea.

Most people clean cages once a week or more depending on how many chins are living in a cage, size etc. My pet chin is housed in a 4 level house by himself and i only change his cage 1xweek or a little more sometimes because he is very clean for some reason, but my pairs cages are 5-7 days. I just bus the shelves and spot clean corners if need be.

 

[Abomination]

Oki, thanks. I tried the dust trick but she runs soon as I move. It just seemed like she was bored since she just kinda sits there. Then she gnaws on the door to get out I'l get some toys in there next week, maby that helps too. I did let her out for little while last night, but only to the hallway/bathroom where she cant do much. Think we're getting along pretty nicely considering with some chins it takes months to bond. Atleast she's not scared of me.

 

[Abomination]

Oki, so few weeks has passed and things are going alright. I got her a big wheely thingy in the cage so she could run in it, but seems she doesn't understand how it works. She lets me scratch her and stuff nicely when she's in the cage, so think we've bonded little bit already. But lately when I've let her out of the cage everything is normal for little time...she runs around my legs and stuff. But then suddenly she gets really scared (even when there was no scary sound or I made any sudden movement) and starts to run around frantically and then hides behind the couch for long time. Honestly it takes like up to 4 hours till she hops back into her cage. Any reason for this?

 

[EveningChin]

Sounds like things are going well. The run about frantically, is it for just a moment before she hide or is it a few minutes? My girls tend to go nuts and run like crazy things and then hide under their cage. It tends to be because they are really happy with the space and are just soooo excited.

I would block up the couch though. With all the loose strings and other things that happen under or behind couchs there are so many bad things that the chin could ingest.

My only suggestion would be to add some boxes for her to hide under and would be easy for you to collect her from. This would add fun topography for her to play on and in and make her feel like she has some safe places to go. And you won't have to wait 4 hours for her to come out.

 

[Abomination]

Just a moment, she does come out after a while though but if I make any, ANY movement or noise she goes off running. Maby she's just reluctant of going back in the cage, think the previous owners chased and catched her after each playtime. :hmm:

And i've tried to block the entrance ways but she'll still usually wiggles her way in somehow The box idea could work, I'll try it. Thanks!

 

[EveningChin]

I used cardboard to make a skirt for my couch. When its playtime I put out the toys and the skirt and its made playtime sooo much more fun for both of us. Most chins don't like going back after playtime. I tend to set out the bath for catching purposes.

It could also be that she is playing with you. Petra likes to play hide and seek and get mad if I don't play along. Because couch tend to be not so chin proof people tend to have play time in the bathroom. There might also be a good place.

 

[Rickman]

I once had a "jailbreak" - 7 juvenile males loose in the room! Was able to get 5 that evening, but 2 had removed the material from a bottom corner of a sofabed, and made a hiding place in the arm!! Took another 2 days to find and corral them!
Sounds like you're making great progress, and keeping her happy!
You haven't mentioned any precautions you've made with wireing, though! Chins are notorious for chewing plastic electric cords, and I'd rather not read about another!
Please wrap any exposed wireing with aluminium foil - better safe than sorry!