Jumping out of cage

[Sonia99]

Whenever I open the cage, within 10 seconds my chinchillas will jump out and I literally have to keep my hand and body there to stop them when I give them food. One of them has even jumped om my shoulder to get out when I blocked him. I got them from a pet store so they aren't used to play time and I don't have an exact schedule so maybe that's why?

Also I used to keep my hand in front of wherever they wanted to jump from so one of them would jump onto my hand so that I can hold him but now he maneuvers around it. They still both can not handle any pettings and only one can be picked up ocassionally but he has been finding new ways to avoid it and has been become more scared of me. Should I still continue trying to pick him up? Also how should I get them used to petting since they either just don't like it and turn away or run full speed away when i try to scratch behind their ears

 

[Godofgods]

Some chins just hate being picked up period. And if it rly makes them scared they could start developing other issues like not eating. (recently went though this when i had to pick mine up for meds)

While some chins may hate being picked up, the same chin might also be ok with walking out onto your arm or hand. To them, they walked on to your hand, they weren't picked up.

And some chins are fearless. They might hide when the doors open, they may hesitate while debating jumping, they may just run right up to it and hop on out. And they are smart creatures. They will learn what you do to stop them and adjust accordingly. Always keeping you on your toes.

I have chins that fall into every one of those options.

Edit: some chins also dont like being touched in certain areas. I have on male that loves to be scratched on his head and mainly his belly. But he will freak out if you touch the back half of his body. (He associates that with being picked up which he hates)
Mean while his son has no issues with the back half being touched, but he hates having his head and ears area touched.
Little likes and dislikes you pick up for each chin over time.