Please help with chinchilla colors, and advice

[ssalcedo]

I went to see these 2 chinchillas tonight, and wonder what their colors are. I cant really tell. The one is white with like burgundy eyes. The other is different shades of gray. Can anyone tell what color they are? I attached pictures.

They are super friendly, and love to be held and pet. My female wont even let me hold her. Also they are both males. They said they are around 3 year old, and have lived together since they were little. They are bonded, and close. I am wondering if I have to check their penis every month? I read something about that.

Thanks!

 

[tunes]

Looks like a PW and a mosaic (possibly TOV or eb/white on the second one?).

They both look pretty rough. Do they get along okay? The top one in particular looks like there is some fur pulling going on, or is it just that they need dusted?

I don't do a hair ring check every month on my males. Others do it religiously. It's not a big deal to do one, and once you know how, it goes pretty fast.

 

[ssalcedo]

Is a PW a pink white? Do pink whites have dark burgundy, or light pink eyes? His eyes seem pretty dark, but it was at night when I saw him. In the light I could see a reddish look to his eyes.

These are the pictures they sent me. Not sure why the dates are off. I seen them in person, and the one with white fur isnt bald anywhere, but his fur is different than the other one. They gave them a dust bath before I got there, and I seen it on my hands. Do they look okay? I cant believe how much they liked being held, and pet. They seem really sweet! Im thinking about getting them. Any advice would be great.

Do they have to have a hair ring check? How often should this be done?

 

[Brittany_Lynn]

PW is Pink White.
They look alright, they don't look sick or anything. The pictures might be bad quality, but they look a little skinny, and also they look kind of dirty. But that's something you can clean up in a few dust baths
They look really nice, and they sound great! I can't believe they let you hold them and everything, that's awesome! I would just look at a few things before you get them. Try to check their teeth to make sure they're nice and yellow, and that they aren't too long. Make sure they seem healthy like your girl, and if you still think it's a good thing, I say go for it :thumbsup:
Like Tunes said, the hair ring check can be done once a month. It's not something a vet has to do, you can do it as long as you learn correctly.
Good luck! And if you do get them, post lots of pictures

 

[ssalcedo]

They do look a little better in person. I would make sure they go on the same diet my girl is on (Mazuri and Timothy hay), and give them dust baths often.

Would you say the white one is a pink white, and the other one is a mosaic? I think they have pretty coloring. Their temperaments make me want to get them. They let me hold them, and werent trying to get away. They seem to like to snuggle up by me. Whats funny is they dont know me, but they enjoyed me holding and petting them. I might be getting them tomorrow night.:clap1:

 

[lauralynne]

If you do get these boys...I would definitely do a 30 day quarantine (if you're not familiar w/ that, do a search on it or ask). Where are you putting the males in proximity to your female? Some males have been known to fight when there is a female present. No playtimes or contact of any kind together.

 

[CJR]

I've read on here that it is a bad idea to keep male cagemates anywhere near a female, as they can 'smell' her and will fight over her, even if they can't see her.

They also look a bit grungy, but others have said about that.

If you do get them, maybe you should keep them as far away from your girl as possible? I'm not really sure. Can someone else with more experience add on to this?

 

[saphire]

there has been a little debate on that not too long ago.
many breeders have male cagemates in the chinchilla building/room without any issues. fighting will occur male/ female, female/female, male/male.
I understand it adds up to the individuals and their temperment.

 

[Stackie]

Honestly, those chins don't look too great. They look thin, under dusted, and not properly cared for. I'll also bet money that they don't get along too well. The pink white has fur sticking up, which is indication of frequent chasing/scuffles going on. So, you may have to end up separating them. I'm not sure what price they're asking, but usually people ask an insane amount, and for the same price you can get healthy quality chinchillas from a breeder. Just things to consider if you do end up getting them.

Honestly I have 7 boys and I don't do regular hair ring checks. They take care of it themselves...none of my boys have ever had a problem.

 

[mishellyshel]

they are nice colors, they do look like they could use a little attention, but could also just be a bad photo. nothing some good food, hay & dustbath cant cure.

if you have the time, space & money than i say go for it. keep in quarantine, so in the event they have an illness your other chins do not get ill.

as for the male/female thing.......i belive that is up for debate, as many members here have multiple chins of varying sexes in cages near each other without incicident. and any fighing that may have occured can not definitely be a cause of male/female in heat.
it could be because male A wanted the stick & is an alpha male and male B took it. or someone was grouchy or a door slammed in china somewhere! lol

if you get them, post pics and let us know how they are doing.

 

[ssalcedo]

They wanted $200 and that includes their cage, and supplies too. I asked them if they would take $175, and they said yes. Is that a good price?

They will never be in contact with my female. I dont want to have babies. They will have their own cage, and not run with her.

They told me they never fight. Do you think I should pass on them? After reading the posts I am a little worried now.

 

[Sandi]

Do you think I should pass on them?

That is up to you but IMO if you have the space and another cage, as by the looks of them they may need to be seperated, and are ready for any health related issue coming up from them, then I say go for it. But if you are not ready to handle those issues then I would pass.

 

[mishellyshel]

what kind of cage.........or rather is it one you would use?
what supplies?? would you use them or toss them?

for a cage, supplies & 2 chins 175 is decent, but if you wont use the cage & supplies you could get chins from someone here for that price,.......BUT for me personally I am all about the rescue. and you have already met them and said they were super friendly.

So, the decision is yours.

 

[Stackie]

I just posted all those things so you are aware of what you may be getting into. If you feel that you can handle those situations, and you have the money and time to spare, then go for it. In the case of separation you would need a different cage (if their current one can not be separated). You may also need to buy a different cage altogether if the cage they are in now currently isn't adequate.

 

[saphire]

Ditto!

 

[ssalcedo]

I really like them. They are super friendly, thats why I fell in love with them. Now I am feeling sorry for them, because I think they are not being cared for properly. If I adopt them, they will be taken care of.

I would switch cages. The cage they have would be used. But I would clean it out and put my female in there, because its big enough for 1 chinchilla, not 2. The cage I built for my female is bigger so I would clean that out and put the 2 boys in there.

They have the dust bath house, dust, food, wheel, water bottle, and food bowl. I think thats it. I didnt see any chews, and I dont think they feed them hay. They would be fed right here.

I guess I should really think about it. Now I am feeling like this would be more of a rescue than an adoption. Either way is fine, but I am worried from everything I read on here.

 

[saphire]

What are you worried about?
What is written are things that may or may not happen, are guide lines. Taking any animal in is always a gamble no matter what, you just don't know. But life is just that, you just never know but that should not stop you to take a step forward.
Which ever way you choose to go, do it so you don't regret your move, and that it is right for you at the present moment.

 

[ssalcedo]

Im worried about their fur, and weight. They were active, and very curious. They didnt seem sick.

I want to show the cage they are in. I did see it, and I think its too small for 2 chinchillas. It is big enough for 1 though. I would take the plastic shelves out, and put a couple pine shelves in it along with other goodies. I would make it chinchilla safe for my girl to have.

 

[StevieP]

Im worried about their fur, and weight. They were active, and very curious. They didnt seem sick.

I want to show the cage they are in. I did see it, and I think its too small for 2 chinchillas. It is big enough for 1 though. I would take the plastic shelves out, and put a couple pine shelves in it along with other goodies. I would make it chinchilla safe for my girl to have.

That cage is on the small side in my opinion (used to have a couple), but with pine shelves it would do the trick. Many chinchilla pairs are kept in those cages but I personally would get a Ferret Nation to replace that one.

I say if you truely want to take on 2 more chinchillas, go for it! These 2 need some attention and you seem to realize that. I think they need to get out of the hands they are in now..

And by the way, that is the DEATH WHEEL in their cage. That has to be removed immediately. Having no wheel is better than having that.

Edit: I just noticed the yellow duckie in their water bottle is at the bottom meaning they didn't have water when this picture was taken. Just wanted to point that out.

 

[ssalcedo]

OMG I didnt even notice that. My gosh, how can they not give them water. They took the pictures last night even though the date is not right. Their camera is off. I think I need to help them. I cant get them until tonight. Whats funny is they live 5 minutes from my house. Maybe I was meant to find them. I know I cant help them all, but maybe I can help these little ones.

This is the cage I built for my girl. Its 36" W x 30" D x 48" H.