chris1858
Active member
My chinchilla is 3.5 mos. Is there anything I should know regarding playtime, diet, dustbaths, etc? I got him today and it seems like he's already very calm in this new environment. I sat by his cage all day today!
one more thing.... Anything I should know about a young chin?
- Thread starter chris1858
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greychins
NWI Chinchillas
The major things would be no treats of any kind before 6 months, and no playtime before 6 months. No wheels either before 6 months. 6 months is like the magic age.
chris1858
Active member
No playtime? Can I let him out at all? What about when it comes time to clean his cage?
danilinn
Well-known member
grey, what about play in a "playpen"? he can be held once he's ready, right?
and chris, talking to him in a gentle voice will make a huge impact (on any animal).
and chris, talking to him in a gentle voice will make a huge impact (on any animal).
GorillaJTA
That guy.
He can be held when he is ready, but no playtime- playpen or free roam. Young chins need to use their calories for growing, not running around. Same reason as limiting treats- they are empty calories that just make them eat less good food.
Sandi
non-stop poop sweeper
You can put your chin in a cat carrier while you clean his cage. He should not be left unattended in a bathroom, etc. when you take him out to clean it.
sheilaandroses
Well-known member
Congratulations on your new chinchilla! 
I don't know anything about kits but you should listen to these people and not give him play time for three months. Look on the bright side, you got him at an early age, you and him will probably have a good bond later on! Just talk to him, play nice music. If he's not to skiddish, stick your finger in the cage and try to give him a few gentle neck scratches with one finger. Just give it time, he'll be six months old in no time!
I don't know anything about kits but you should listen to these people and not give him play time for three months. Look on the bright side, you got him at an early age, you and him will probably have a good bond later on! Just talk to him, play nice music. If he's not to skiddish, stick your finger in the cage and try to give him a few gentle neck scratches with one finger. Just give it time, he'll be six months old in no time!
danilinn
Well-known member
should any animal that small EVER be left unattended? i was assuming supervised play.
ticklechin
Well-known member
The more you handle a squirmy chin the tamer they will become, just like long term hand fed chins, they become your best friend because they know you are friend not foe. Never handle them then you are not doing the chin any good, especially during a medical issue.
chris1858
Active member
Thanks everyone! I have been talking to him a lot already... it sounds weird to me lol but I do it anyways! And when can I start handling him? Today will be the first FULL day that he is home.
Also, Danilinn, I wrote back to your PM but I'm not sure if I did it right (still new to the forums) so let me know if you get it! Lol
Also, Danilinn, I wrote back to your PM but I'm not sure if I did it right (still new to the forums) so let me know if you get it! Lol
3CsMommy
My babies Rock!
Congratulations on your new baby! Its important, once he's big enough, to let him gradually get used to physical activity, so he doesn't get too excited about doing something fun and overexert himself. Babies can be damaged by stuff that, for an adult chin, wouldn't be as bad (flying off of a spinning wheel, a fall from a shelf, etc.). That's part of why the suggestions for no playtime came up. As safe as we try to make it, out of cage time always has hazards, and chinchilla bones aren't much bigger than toothpicks. They're fragile little critters.
Handling him in his cage is fine, just keep an eye out for any places he could drop all the way from the top of the cage to the bottom. A couple of people in the Classified Ads thread make hammocks that will stretch through most of the cage to fill in gaps between shelves etc., or you can make them yourself if you're crafty. And fleece is generally safe for chins of all ages, so he'll have something to cuddle with when you're not around.
Don't flinch or jump if you feel him nibble on you a little; that's how they show affection for each other, by grooming, and if you startle, he'll be less likely to do it. Being calm and quiet and moving slowly seems to have helped me the most with gentling mine. I also sing to my chins, so don't feel like a dork for just talking to him. When you've got video of yourself singing to half-asleep chinchillas lurking on your SD card (guilty 0/) you can go ahead and feel like a dork.
It's going to be so much fun for you to see his individual personality come out over the next few weeks. Enjoy it!
Handling him in his cage is fine, just keep an eye out for any places he could drop all the way from the top of the cage to the bottom. A couple of people in the Classified Ads thread make hammocks that will stretch through most of the cage to fill in gaps between shelves etc., or you can make them yourself if you're crafty. And fleece is generally safe for chins of all ages, so he'll have something to cuddle with when you're not around.
Don't flinch or jump if you feel him nibble on you a little; that's how they show affection for each other, by grooming, and if you startle, he'll be less likely to do it. Being calm and quiet and moving slowly seems to have helped me the most with gentling mine. I also sing to my chins, so don't feel like a dork for just talking to him. When you've got video of yourself singing to half-asleep chinchillas lurking on your SD card (guilty 0/) you can go ahead and feel like a dork.
It's going to be so much fun for you to see his individual personality come out over the next few weeks. Enjoy it!
amignatowicz
Ashley
what i do when i get a new kit: the first day or two i let it get used to its new home, let him or her get used to its new surroundings. before i take them out and hold them, i like to open the cage door and sit by the cage, as the chin gets used to you, they will begin to come to the door of the cage where you can pet, which will help to gain their trust. hope this helps!
chris1858
Active member
He's been adjusting VERY well. I hear stories about how people's chin barked for days and wouldn't even let them get close. I'm on day 3 and he's already 'grooming' me and likes to climb on my hand. He's so sweet! I also had to pick him up while we were giving him a dust bath and he kinda got away, and he squeaked once or twice.. I looked on the chinchilla sounds website and it sounded most like the social 'togetherness' squeak.
