New Chinchilla Mommy

[NewChinMommy]

I just became a first time chinchilla owner tonight. Someone was getting rid of two siblings(though they don't know the sexes of them) though once they settle in and get to know me i will try and see what sex they both are(fingers crossed they are the same sex as i do not want babies) I got them for free from someone who kept them mostly in the basement(they said they squeaked to much and would wake their new baby) but at the cost where they aren't the friendlist chins(hopefully that will change in time) we got them for free with a cage. They also don't know how old they are. They guessed between 3-6 months of age though to me they look between 6 months-1 year. One poor little one has a scar and they said she has a bad eye. They also don't come with names. They were also only kept for 2 month(the original owner and the owners sisters)

 

[Isabella Whateva]

Those two are very, very cute!!! Welcome to the forum!
Definitely read over the FAQ's and browse through some threads on basic stuff. Everyone here is extremely informative. There are some real experts on here, I learned so much!

If you're not sure of the sexes and don't want babies, you need to separate them immediately. Chins can breed very quickly with no warning. In fact, there's a good chance of a pregnancy if they are opposites. Especially with them being siblings, there are lots of messy complications that can happen.

Also I noticed from the last picture that their food isn't very good. Good chin food should only be pellets. You can get Oxbow and Mazuri at pet supply chains, and lots of members on this forum sell even better (and less expensive) feeds on their web sites.

Again welcome to the crazy world of chin parenthood!!! ) Don't hesitate to ask any questions!

 

[charlie]

Welcome to the group! There's lots of good information (and a great search function at the top). If you can't find it just ask.

 

[Sandi]

Hello and welcome to CnH ). Here are 2 good threads/links to get you started. You really need to get this done asap! The FAQ's in each section of the forum will help you out a great deal as well.

http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16956
http://chinwags.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=618

 

[NewChinMommy]

Thank you very much everyone.

I will read over the FAQ's. I read some things over the internet where it would say one thing and then on another it would be completely opposite so it made me very confused. One says i can't feed any fresh fruit or veggies while another one said i was able too. I will get my husband to sex them in the morning since they are still pretty jumpy(well one anyways the other one is pretty relaxed and doesn't jump around. With the one as soon as it hears the door open it freaks out and tries to jump away and i can hear it) The food we bought was pellets for them the other people had the mixed food so we are mixing them together(we also have two hamsters and had two diabetic degu's a long time ago so we know that part to do really well) The set up is a bit crap right now but soon they will live in a nice little chin palace.

Is it pretty easy to find an exotic vet around where i live(its calgary, alberta)

Thanks me or my husband will get it done early in the morning(its currently almost 2am here) so i don't think they or he would appreciate the early wake-up.

 

[Melissa]

Welcome to Cnh!

 

[Dragonflye]

Welcome!

 

[lauralynne]

hello & Welcome!

 

[alli713]

Welcome to CnH! Hopefully you can get them sexed quickly in the morning. If you have any questions on the sex just take pictures and post them on the forum, we can help. You definitely don't want them breeding if they're siblings.

 

[eroomlorac]

You definitely don't want them breeding if they're siblings.

And if there is a possibility they are very young.

 

[Jenn]

Hi and welcome! It sounds like these two haven't had the best start, and it is great that you have taken them and are taking the steps to learn about proper care!!! There really is a lot of confusing info out there, but this forum is full of knowledgeable owners and can really be extremely helpful. They are adorable! Congrats!

 

[missjess10475]

They do look very young. I have 4 month olds and yours look about that same age, though chins do vary in size! You should definetly switch food! And get rid of that flooring in that cage. Wire floors are bad for their little feet!
They are so cute! They might not be friendly right now, but I'm sure they'll warm up. Mine are always skittish and jumpy when I first bring them home, but calm down after a few weeks!
If you lift up their tails and look at their private ares, their parts look very similar. But males have a space in between, whereas females are kinds smushed together. This is the site that really haped me see a clear picture to be able tot ell mine apart.
http://www.joeychinchilla.co.uk/sexingyourchinchilla.htm
I was glad I found this site because I was told my second chin was a boy when I bought it to go with my other boy. After seeing those pictures, I found out he was a she!

 

[mishellyshel]

welcome to the group. once you determine their sex, it is so fun to pick out names!!
i think it is wonderful that you have come here to learn. and you will learn SO SO much here. many members have been long time breeders or pet owners and even some ranch owners so the knowledge you will gain in invaluable.
i am sure you are overwhelmed right now and while that cage isnt the greatest.....it is doable for now. one quick easy thing you can do is get a piece of fleece and put it on one section of the wire floor. that way they have a place to rest their feet.
good luck with them, they are super cute!

 

[winknfox]

Welcome! I'm a relatively new member too and this forum has helped me a ton. Congrats are your new babies!

 

[NewChinMommy]

Thank you everyone. We checked this morning and have some sad news they are male and female(I took pictures so someone can make 100 percent sure for me) but from the way it looks they are male and female. I really hope she isn't already pregnant(not sure if most chin females are really grumpy but she is super grumpy)

 

[Stackie]

Yes, you definitely have a male and female sibling pair there. I would separate them ASAP and get the female into a baby safe cage. Hopefully she isn't pregnant.

 

[NewChinMommy]

That is definately what i didn't want. Makes me frustrated that they simply couldn't do what we did and checked them. But i am going to give them the best home possible and if she is pregnant give the babies to only the best homes. I am currently looking up a decent exotic vet in my area incase if she is and something goes very wrong i will have them on call. We got them seperated

Are any of these cages decent ones for chin's and their babies(we are going to get two of them)? My husband says the cage they are in looks like it was meant for a ferret or something.

 

[chinchillalover0927]

you should invest in a ferret or critter nation and get a temporary maternity cage for the female...count from 111 days and if you havent gotten babies by then or havent noticed a weight gain in her she should be in the clearning..

 

[Stackie]

In a baby safe cage, you want wire spacing that is no larger than 1/2" x 1". Both of those cages have way too large wire spacing and a baby would be able to crawl out easily. You also want something that is one level, so mom can't get up on shelves and leave the babies on the floor. Some people wrap cages that have too large wire spacing in hardware cloth. I also would not get that cage with the wire floors, as baby feet could easily slip through.

I'm not a breeder, so I'll leave it to others to answer your other breeding questions. Here is a thread that would be helpful to you, however: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21

 

[mishellyshel]

the first one with the pic of the chins is better than the other one. you can just take out the plastic shelves & replace with wooden ones.

problem with those cages is that once you start putting the heavier wooden shelves in there the cage bars are not that sturdy.

neither are good for babies but you could always wrap them in hardware wire in the event she is pregnant. you would need to take out any high shelves so baby doesnt fall.

honestly and of course i have no idea of your financial situation....but you would be better off getting a Ferret Nation Cage and separating it into 2 sections. the 142 can be purchased new for under $200 and there are always specials around, you may get one for 150. you can also check local used websites like Craigs list or Kiji. since the cages you are looking at are at least 30 bucks, i would rather see you spend the 60 towards a more sturdy and long lasting cage. you can do a search on here for Ferret Nation and see how they look. Good Luck!!! And thanks for saving them.