New Chins

[Sevvy]

I now own two chinchillas that I got from a co-worker, they're a bonded pair named Bongo (male) and Chilly (female) and they about 6 years old. I think I'm going to re-name them, but I'm not sure what yet.

Bongo is really sweet, but he's got a huge section of fur missing now from where I've been pulling out the mats he had in his fur. He looks really funny and I think he knows it, heh. Chilly is sweet, too, but she's more outgoing. She likes to bounce around my room like someone gave her Red Bull. She's really hard to catch, actually.

Anyway, they're both thought to be fairly inbred and for as much as they haven't mated or had offspring, as soon as I have some extra cash I'm getting them spayed/neutered just to further ensure it never happens. They have some visible defects but seem to be in good health and they're sweeties. I love them, not as much as Radar but hey, that can't be helped.

Bongo

Chilly

Chilly again


And just because no post is awesome without Radar, here's Radar in his new tunnel hammock lol

 

[Brittany]

Congrats on the new kids... You should probably put them in separate cages until you can get the male neutered. Even if they haven't produced kits in years it could still happen at anytime, and it only takes a second.

Also if you are going to get one of them fixed make sure it is the male. Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but spaying is so invasive on the female system that it should only be done in emergency situations. There is a greater risk of her dying during or after the procedure.

 

[Sevvy]

I was thinking about that, but I had some reservations... When I have them apart they start to act very agitated and search for the other. If I put them into separate cages, would they be okay or would there start to be behavioral changes?

Edit: Thanks for the last bit, I hadn't read that anywhere yet. Then again, aside from this site and one other forum, I haven't really found much about having them spayed/neutered in general.

 

[Brittany]

I was thinking about that, but I had some reservations... When I have them apart they start to act very agitated and search for the other. If I put them into separate cages, would they be okay or would there start to be behavioral changes?

Edit: Thanks for the last bit, I hadn't read that anywhere yet. Then again, aside from this site and one other forum, I haven't really found much about having them spayed/neutered in general.

There is no way of knowing if they will re-bond after being separated. On the other hand they could start fighting at anytime for any reason and need to be separated. As pet owners we need to be prepared for the 'worst case senario' which would be having all of our chins live in separate cages, separate playtime, etc... It's just a fact when owning chins, sometimes they get along and sometimes they fight for no apparent reason.

Any surgery is risky. Several people on the forum have had successful neuters with out any problems. Other members will stress that you shouldn't make your chin go through any unnecessary procedures.

I was at the vet earlier this week, and both of my girls had to be put under gas for necessary exams. I had to sign a ton of paperwork including making the decision for them to resuscitate my chins if they had any complications just from the gas (mind you neither of mine were being cut into). Any surgery or anesthesia is serious business with these little guys so you need to weigh in on the pros and cons to make the best decision for you pets.

As far as leaving the male and female together for now you run the risk of the female having complications during delivery, mom/kits dying, kits being born with genetic defects. If you haven't done a lot of research check the breeding section or talk to some breeders because they see this stuff every day.

It sounds like you're trying to help some chins out and give them a fresh start, which is very admirable. Since you are trying to do right by these chins here are some options that perhaps you haven't thought of?

1: Separate male and female. After proper quarantine time (4 weeks) try introducing male to Radar so they can be buddies (use the 4 weeks to research intro techniques). If they bond keep the female in another room so her presence doesn't provoke fighting.

2: Separate male and female. If male and Radar don't bond keep 3 happy chins in 3 separate cages with 3 different play times. All of my chins are single. I've tried bonding same sex pairs before and personalities just never meshed. I give them each lots of attention and they do just fine without chin buddies.

3: If you're set on keeping male and female together look into having male neutered. Find a vet that has done it before. Ask lots of questions, ask about after care, ask about possible complications. Weigh all the pros and cons before having it done. Just note- you'll most likely have to separate male and female while male is in recovery phase. So even after the procedure is done they may not re-bond, or need to be separated down the road.

Hope this has given you some things to consider. Please keep asking questions on the forum. I'm sure there are many people that have been in a similar situation before who can give you even more advise.

Happy Holidays! :thumbsup:

 

[alli713]

Just as a note, there's a reason why breeders sell of their chins that don't breed for them. Many times, all it takes is new scenery to get them back mating. I'm just warning you that should you choose to not separate you may very well end up with kits.

Not to mention you don't know the background of these chins so should they reproduce you don't know what type of genetic issues they may have.

Even if they seem sad, they need to be separated. It's for their best interest.

And I agree with Brittany, it is best to get a male neutered. But you also need to remember that the male after neutering needs to stay away from the female for a bit while he heals and to prevent any residual sperm from getting to her.

Also, not to get on your case, but you really need to watch that tunnel that Radar is in. It can easily be chewed up by him and ingested. That's why everyone on the forum recommends fleece.

 

[Sevvy]

There is no way of knowing if they will re-bond after being separated. On the other hand they could start fighting at anytime for any reason and need to be separated. As pet owners we need to be prepared for the 'worst case senario' which would be having all of our chins live in separate cages, separate playtime, etc... It's just a fact when owning chins, sometimes they get along and sometimes they fight for no apparent reason.

No, I understand that and I can deal with having them all in individual cages. I just wasn't sure about what the effects on them would be from separation. They seem to get very agitated for even short periods of separation, I didn't want them to start developing any stress related issues from it or if it would start to mess around with their personalities or the like. But if that's not likely to happen, if they get over being separated from who they are bonded to, I'd be more inclined to separate them. Otherwise, I'd really prefer to try and borrow money and see if I could get the male neutered sooner than waiting on my own income... and maybe trying to jerry-rig a temporary barrier within their cage so that they are still together but not able to reach each other while he heals. Or maybe finding two cages that fit together side by side since their current won't allow for it. But I don't know if that's a feasible solution?

Any surgery or anesthesia is serious business with these little guys so you need to weigh in on the pros and cons to make the best decision for you pets.

Even for us, that's true. Being put under anesthesia always allows for the risk of complications and potential death. But again, since I'm not aware of what happens when you separate bonded chins, I'm not sure if the separation is worse or having a vet do a procedure that does in fact have potential for a variety of issues.

As far as leaving the male and female together for now you run the risk of the female having complications during delivery, mom/kits dying, kits being born with genetic defects. If you haven't done a lot of research check the breeding section or talk to some breeders because they see this stuff every day.

I've skimmed through it, but not in depth since I haven't the interest in breeding. But I have run through a variety of the posts, which really furthered my disinterest in breeding and put the original thought of neutering/spaying in my mind.

It sounds like you're trying to help some chins out and give them a fresh start, which is very admirable. Since you are trying to do right by these chins here are some options that perhaps you haven't thought of?

1: Separate male and female. After proper quarantine time (4 weeks) try introducing male to Radar so they can be buddies (use the 4 weeks to research intro techniques). If they bond keep the female in another room so her presence doesn't provoke fighting.

I am trying and hopefully not failing too horrifically. In any event, I hadn't really thought of introducing either to Radar. Radar is, rather aggressive, though to give the devil his due, his aggression is largely in part due to being thrown in with other animals without any decent introduction techniques (my store tried to throw 4 of them into a small cage and there was a lot of injuries. He went from being very sweet to fairly nasty after that). With me, he's become rather sweet but still can be aggressive. Should I even make the attempt? Does aggression subside in them if introductions are gone about properly or does it run too much a risk of fighting/injury if you know one can be aggressive and try anyway?


Anyway, thank you for all your help and input. And to anyone and everyone, don't worry about getting on my case, you can yell at me over anything if you want. If it results in me going away with better knowledge and ideas, it's cool. ^_^

 

[Jenn]

If you keep them in separate cages until you have the male neutered, they might feel more at ease if the cages are side by side. That way they can still see, hear, smell eachother. That might make it easier to reintroduce them after the surgery.

Their pics are adorable, and they look quite friendly and fun! It sounds like you are on the right track with them, and they are lucky to have you!

 

[Brittany]

I just wasn't sure about what the effects on them would be from separation. They seem to get very agitated for even short periods of separation, I didn't want them to start developing any stress related issues from it or if it would start to mess around with their personalities or the like. But if that's not likely to happen, if they get over being separated from who they are bonded to, I'd be more inclined to separate them. maybe trying to jerry-rig a temporary barrier within their cage so that they are still together but not able to reach each other while he heals. Or maybe finding two cages that fit together side by side since their current won't allow for it. But I don't know if that's a feasible solution?


Radar is, rather aggressive, Should I even make the attempt? Does aggression subside in them if introductions are gone about properly or does it run too much a risk of fighting/injury if you know one can be aggressive and try anyway?

I've never separated a bonded pair, but I from what I've read Mom's and babies are agitated for a few days after weaning before the settle down. Perhaps someone with more experience can comment on separating a bonded pair?

For now I think putting two cages near each other is your best bet. Chins can breed through cage bars so having a barrier in the cage won't be affective. Just make sure the cages are a few inches apart so they can't breed.

As far as introducing your male to Radar, you'll never know until you try. Some personalities will match and some won't. If you're going to try then read up on some different techniques. Make sure you do it in a small area (like a bathroom) where you can separate them quickly if need be.

I'm glad you're so open to learning, keep asking questions!

 

[Sevvy]

If you keep them in separate cages until you have the male neutered, they might feel more at ease if the cages are side by side. That way they can still see, hear, smell eachother. That might make it easier to reintroduce them after the surgery.

Their pics are adorable, and they look quite friendly and fun! It sounds like you are on the right track with them, and they are lucky to have you!

Alright, I have two smaller side by side cages now (woohoo for pet store employee discounts!). Some horrendously annoying assembly required, but we'll see how that works out for them later after I'm done cussing at these cages. But hopefully this keeps them close enough that they're still okay with each other.

And they exceedingly friendly. Chilly likes to do her own thing more often than not but she handles very well. And Bongo likes to be on my lap watching Chilly, which I find funny. He's a lap chin! XD But anyway, I'm hoping I get everything good for them so that they can have a good, long life. ^_^

I've never separated a bonded pair, but I from what I've read Mom's and babies are agitated for a few days after weaning before the settle down. Perhaps someone with more experience can comment on separating a bonded pair?

For now I think putting two cages near each other is your best bet. Chins can breed through cage bars so having a barrier in the cage won't be affective. Just make sure the cages are a few inches apart so they can't breed.

As far as introducing your male to Radar, you'll never know until you try. Some personalities will match and some won't. If you're going to try then read up on some different techniques. Make sure you do it in a small area (like a bathroom) where you can separate them quickly if need be.

I'm glad you're so open to learning, keep asking questions!

Well, we're about to see. I went out to get cages that I can fit side by side, and am currently working up the nerve to assemble them (truthfully, I like these cages... I just haaaaaaaaaate the assembly part). We'll see how they do with this.

Hmm, I guess I'll try with Radar when the time comes, uh, any chance anyone sells Kevlar chinchilla handling gloves? lol