New Chin Mommy! Needs Some Help!

[rbarile92]

Hello!
My name is Rachel and I just purchased my two very first chins. Dave & Buster. Dave is about a year old and Buster is 6 months old. Father and son. They are really friendly but I just have a few questions

1. Should I set up little tunnels for them to run through during play time?
2. How long is it before they will trust me enough to always come up to me in their cage? ( if this is even possible)
3. Buster makes a strange noise at night. I looked up videos on chins making noises. He is making a noise like he is squeaking and then like panting over and over again. Apparently it is a bark? I'm just not sure.
4. It does not look like they have been drinking from their water bottle either. I know it works fine because I ran my finger under it to make sure water comes out but I don't think they are drinking from it.

Thanks!
Rachel

 

[Stackie]

Welcome to CnH, congrats on your new chins!

1. Should I set up little tunnels for them to run through during play time?

You can if you like. I use cardboard boxes for my chin's play time. The love to run in them, on top of them, etc. If they are plastic, just make sure they don't get chewed. Many chins are content just being out of their cage and don't need toys to play with. Some of mine are more entertained to just run around, bounce on me, and "wall surf".

2. How long is it before they will trust me enough to always come up to me in their cage? ( if this is even possible)

It depends on the individual chin. Since they are new, they are probably quite skittish. They are in a new cage, a new environment, with a new person. You can try sitting by their cage and talking to them. What usually wins many chins over is sitting by their cage with a treat in your palm. Place you hand in their cage with the treat, and allow them to come up to you and get the treat.

3. Buster makes a strange noise at night. I looked up videos on chins making noises. He is making a noise like he is squeaking and then like panting over and over again. Apparently it is a bark? I'm just not sure.

Sounds like a bark. It is common for chins in a new environment to make this sound. One of my guys barked every night for a week straight when I first brought him home ) Buster will most likely settle down once he gets comfortable in his new home. They still may bark occasionally, though. It isn't anything to worry about...sometimes they will just bark for no reason.

4. It does not look like they have been drinking from their water bottle either. I know it works fine because I ran my finger under it to make sure water comes out but I don't think they are drinking from it.
l

In my experience, chins in new homes do not seem to drink much. It could be from stress/nerves, or perhaps it's a different style water bottle than they are used to. One trick I have used is to rub a raisin on the nozzle...that usually encourages them to drink. (Don't give raisins as treats, however...they aren't healthy for them. Just rubbing it on the nozzle isn't enough to make difference, though.) You can try marking the bottle with a dry erase marker or a sharpie to see if the level goes down.

 

[emily]

Hello!
My name is Rachel and I just purchased my two very first chins. Dave & Buster. Dave is about a year old and Buster is 6 months old. Father and son. They are really friendly but I just have a few questions

1. Should I set up little tunnels for them to run through during play time?
2. How long is it before they will trust me enough to always come up to me in their cage? ( if this is even possible)
3. Buster makes a strange noise at night. I looked up videos on chins making noises. He is making a noise like he is squeaking and then like panting over and over again. Apparently it is a bark? I'm just not sure.
4. It does not look like they have been drinking from their water bottle either. I know it works fine because I ran my finger under it to make sure water comes out but I don't think they are drinking from it.

Thanks!
Rachel

1.I just set up boxes for my chin, and he runs through it. I also lay down and he crawls all over me. I think it helps us bond

2. Every chinchilla is different. You may find one of them warms up faster to you than the other. Just dont rush it. and be patient.

3. HEHEHE...chins are funny. They bark for no reson, I think my chin barks just to hear himself...or to see how long he can do it for...or just to bother me.

4. Try the raisin trick. Somtimes chins only like certain bottles. Winston only drinks out of a water buddy, and hate the superpet bottles. So I had to get one of those. Now he is a happy camper.

I hope you enhoy your new chins! :dance3::dance3: