How can I tell if my chin is pregnant?

[stampinchick]

My male chinchilla escaped from his cage, and was free for a little while. He is very "friendly" with my female chinchilla, Bella. Bella has been a little witchy ever since we got the other two female chinchillas, including hicking at people as they pass by and generally just not being nice. Ever since Goober, the male, was loose she has been quite nice, friendly and even letting us pet her. I know that I have read that it is possible for chnichillas to mate, even through the cage (crazy), and am wondering if these chenges in her mean that they may have. How and when would I be able to tell if she has become pregnant? Thanks.

 

[tunes]

When you see babies.

Seriously, no sarcasm intended. Prepare for them. In 111 days or so if you see them? She was. If you don't? She wasn't.

 

[jmdebb]

Or if you notice her teets getting bigger, you would feel them, then she is pregnant. I'm not sure when they start to grow, but you would notice it by touch. So feel around underneath her and see if you notice that they are growing.

jean

 

[PaperMoon]

get a scale (you can get this at any walmart/target)... if she is preggo, she'll gain weight =D

 

[stampinchick]

Thanks. I have a scale and have a previous weight on her, so will just start watching that. I was just wondering if the change in temperment might be an indicator also.

 

[tunes]

It can be, yes. It might also be a change in the seasons, the wind blowing from the north instead of the south, the alignment of the planets with pluto.......you get my drift.

I don't weigh my chins. I don't check for nipples. If I suspect they are pregnant, I don't handle them at all, other than to give chin scritches. If babies come, I know they are pregnant. If they don't, then they aren't. I'm going to hazard a guess that's how most breeders figure it out.

 

[moon]

I agree with Peggy. If she's pregnant, she'll have babies. If she doesn't, she wasn't.

 

[oxchincerelyxo]

Like said, there isn't too much you can really do to tell. Some people have said that females will sleep on their side or change sleeping positions in some way when they are pregnant...but even that doesn't really mean anything. I have a boy that just started sleeping on his side-and I know he isn't with kit :tease:

Really the weight is the only thing I've ever heard to work, but either way I'd start counting and preparing

 

[starleomach]

I agree all you can do is wait and see. sometimes you know when there bellies move like something out of an alien movie. otherwise when there are kits she was pregnant. I don't mess with weighing my females unless something is wrong it is too stressful.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Weighing can help you figure it out, but, it is not foolproof. I have had females gain weight and not be pregnant and one didn't gain and had a kit. Kits kicking is a pretty good sign and so is elongation of the teets. If I were you, I would do as has been suggested and just prepare for kits. If she has them, great. If not, oh well.

 

[Sooner Chinchillas]

It can be, yes. It might also be a change in the seasons, the wind blowing from the north instead of the south, the alignment of the planets with pluto.......you get my drift.

I don't weigh my chins. I don't check for nipples. If I suspect they are pregnant, I don't handle them at all, other than to give chin scritches. If babies come, I know they are pregnant. If they don't, then they aren't. I'm going to hazard a guess that's how most breeders figure it out.

Ditto to this. I think one of the worst things a breeder can do is mess with their pregnant females too much. Poor gals.... She'll either have babies or she won't. Just read up on babies and pregnancy and get ready.

 

[chinnychin5]

Check for nipples.

around 2 weeks before birth the female chinchilla will grow nipples on her belly. If you pick her up and feel down her belly around that time you may be able to feel the nipples. But if that chinchilla is not used to being picked up DO NOT pick her up. Chinchilla pregnancy takes 111 days so you've got some time to prepare.:thumbsup:

 

[Rickman]

Just make sure you've a baby-safe cage in about 3 months, too!

 

[lauralynne]

around 2 weeks before birth the female chinchilla will grow nipples on her belly.

Are you sure they "grow" nipples 2 weeks before birth...I thought they were always there. :rofl2: (Sorry, I'm a "little" sarcastic and just couldn't resist...)

 

[Cuddlebug]

Actually, the nipples get longer about 2 weeks before birth. They are located more towards the sides of the chinchilla instead of on the belly where most animals have them.

 

[EBB]

I used to have a lot of time on my hands and I would weigh my chinchillas every few days. most people don't do this because it's crazy. lol
I would however recommend weighing them once a month if you have small enough numbers to feasibly do so. That way when your females start to gain, you can plan on babies. Other than that unless you constantly observe your animals you probably won't know.

Good luck

 

[Chin_Pig]

I used to have a lot of time on my hands and I would weigh my chinchillas every few days. most people don't do this because it's crazy. lol
I would however recommend weighing them once a month if you have small enough numbers to feasibly do so. That way when your females start to gain, you can plan on babies. Other than that unless you constantly observe your animals you probably won't know.

Good luck

have you noticed them gain weight then the last month or so they kinda drop a bit or should they consistently gain?

one of my females did this, she didnt drop much (like10g) but she would drop weight in the last month or two.

 

[Cuddlebug]

I've had a couple of moms lose weight in the last week or so of the pregnancy. Like already stated, it was just a few grams.