Kit Questions

[tjagnew]

My chinchilla just gave birth to two kits and I had a few questions.

1. Is it okay for the kits to fight when trying to nurse?
2. I noticed one kits has a wound on the end of its tail, is there anything I can do for it?
3. How old do the kits have to be before being able to identify their sex?

And this is all very new to me, I was not expecting to have any kits, ever! But turns out my chinchilla was pregnant. If anyone has any other advice, that would be great!

 

[Riven]

1. If no one is bleeding and it's just kacking it may be due to mom's milk not being in yet. Offer a mom and kit supplement of 1/3 powdered milk replacer ( I prefer lamb ) 1/3 baby oatmeal flakes and 1/3 feed fines ( bottom of the bag or use a coffer grinder). This can be offered at all times. Also what kind of feed are you on? Make sure she has plenty of water as well.

2. Tail will heal itself, got pulled or bitten while being born. No worries.

3. You can identify immediately, post pictures if you need help, and we'll be glad to help you.

Make sure you have a baby safe cage and read, read, read! Lots of good info here and if in doubt ask.

 

[tjagnew]

She is on a regular pellet feed and timothy hay, with lots of water. And I already got a cage set up and looks like they are all good!

Thanks for all the information, it was all so helpful!

 

[Cuddlebug]

If the wire spacing on the cage is bigger than 1/2 inch by 1 inch, the kits can escape and you will need to get a different cage or cover the existing one with hardware cloth.