New Chin

[LovinHedgies]

Hello! I acquired my very first Chinchilla yesterday evening. I'm told she is a female (haven't been able to examine her yet...). She was totally free along with her FN cage (I was only able to set up the bottom level because I lost an impotant part for connecting the top level LOL) and her supplies. She needs some more wooden shelves and a place to hide along with a dust bath bowl. I also would like to get her better quality food - not even sure what she is on right now...some yuckie looking stuff :hmm:
Anyways if you guys could recommend some sites to buy accessories and food that would be great!!
And any advice on how to get her to warm up to me? I have hedgies but they don't spray urine at me or bark at me LOL

 

[caiti]

Hi!! There is a stickied thread that is on top of the lists of posts when you click on "chin supplies for sale". That has a lot of good online places.

Going slow and talking softly help with chins. Let them settle down for a little while before you try to get them to be ok with an arm in their cage or you getting physically close like that to them regularly. I think it's sort of best to go with your intuition in some instances. If she barks or kacks at you, don't jerk back or anything but stop trying to get closer and maybe slowly back off and try again some other time. Being in the room and being calm, not moving fast also helps them get used to you after they settle in. Treats go a long way too!! Just make sure they're safe like rosehips, cheerio, plain shredded wheat, or if you give them a pellet or piece of hay of their they think it's a treat since it came from your hand...

 

[LovinHedgies]

We had a good session last night - I sat by her cage and read a book. After about 10 minutes she came over and smelled by shoulder through her cage bars. The second time she came up to me I handed her a treat through the bars and boy was she excited!! LOL it was like a piece of gold her to
I did find a site to buy stuff on and ordered some better food and toys - hopefully it comes quick!!