bamboodragon
New member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2011
- Messages
- 4
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I'd introduce myself. I also have two quick questions at the bottom if you just want to hit that up. I have an interesting story about how I came to be a chin owner. Hopefully it's not too long. My handle is bamboodragon, from canada and I'm currently working on my masters degree in mathematics.
My brother is a custom finishing carpenter and from time to time they have to trap and exterminate pests that get into the houses that are under construction. They had been noticing strange prints in the sawdust every morning unlike any they had seen before, even the exterminator they called in hadn't seen them before. After trying to trap it for a few weeks using various methods, they finally caught it in a non-lethal squirrel trap. They had no idea what it was but having iphones quickly came to the conclusion it was a chinchilla. The offer went up on facebook to see if anyone wanted him. I did. I decided to call him (or her) Chancho, like from "Nacho Libre"
(I know what it means in spanish, but hey, oh well)
The accepted theory is that he was someone's pet and escaped then lived in the wild for at least two weeks since that's how long my brother was trying to catch him. I have no idea how old he is but I think he's young because he's smaller than most pictures i've seen. Also, being in the wild he probably lost a little weight. I got him friday afternoon and have been reading about chins incessantly since then. I love the little guy already and really want to take good care of him. Gonna set up a vet appointment and just patiently try to earn his trust.
Right now the only real question is: How do I get him to take his dust bath. I tried putting the dust (blue cloud brand) in a store bought chin bath bowl and left the top off. I also tried a large jar tipped on its side. He didn't use either of them. He's incredibly skittish so i'm reluctant to just pick him up and drop him in there. Any suggestions?
Also, what can I use for 'treats' while trying to earn his trust? I've heard raisins, no raisins, some raisins. I read somewhere that rose hips were good? What's healthy but enticing?
Anyways, that's a pretty long intro. I just want to make sure he's well looked after so if someone could help me with the dust bath thing I'd really appreciate it.
Peace
Just thought I'd introduce myself. I also have two quick questions at the bottom if you just want to hit that up. I have an interesting story about how I came to be a chin owner. Hopefully it's not too long. My handle is bamboodragon, from canada and I'm currently working on my masters degree in mathematics.
My brother is a custom finishing carpenter and from time to time they have to trap and exterminate pests that get into the houses that are under construction. They had been noticing strange prints in the sawdust every morning unlike any they had seen before, even the exterminator they called in hadn't seen them before. After trying to trap it for a few weeks using various methods, they finally caught it in a non-lethal squirrel trap. They had no idea what it was but having iphones quickly came to the conclusion it was a chinchilla. The offer went up on facebook to see if anyone wanted him. I did. I decided to call him (or her) Chancho, like from "Nacho Libre"
(I know what it means in spanish, but hey, oh well)
The accepted theory is that he was someone's pet and escaped then lived in the wild for at least two weeks since that's how long my brother was trying to catch him. I have no idea how old he is but I think he's young because he's smaller than most pictures i've seen. Also, being in the wild he probably lost a little weight. I got him friday afternoon and have been reading about chins incessantly since then. I love the little guy already and really want to take good care of him. Gonna set up a vet appointment and just patiently try to earn his trust.
Right now the only real question is: How do I get him to take his dust bath. I tried putting the dust (blue cloud brand) in a store bought chin bath bowl and left the top off. I also tried a large jar tipped on its side. He didn't use either of them. He's incredibly skittish so i'm reluctant to just pick him up and drop him in there. Any suggestions?
Also, what can I use for 'treats' while trying to earn his trust? I've heard raisins, no raisins, some raisins. I read somewhere that rose hips were good? What's healthy but enticing?
Anyways, that's a pretty long intro. I just want to make sure he's well looked after so if someone could help me with the dust bath thing I'd really appreciate it.
Peace
