Ranch Tours!

[SeeleyAnne]

You know what I think would be awesome? Going on a tour of a Chinchilla Ranch!! I would love to see what it is like! I have never seen a mutation chinchilla in real life. I only have my standard grey chin, and I've only seen the mutation colors in pictures. I would love to see what they really look like, and see how different their fur feels! (assuming that they would let me pet them). Chinchilla breeding is fascinating to me, and I wish I knew of a breeder around me that I could go visit! Has anyone else ever done that?

 

[cindyv3737]

If you can, you should go to a show. You will be able to see mutations and ask questions. You can also pet the fur balls once judging is done.

 

[jags]

I have been to many ranches over the years and very much enjoy see how different people do thing, some have some great ideas. I also have had many come here and check out what I have and do.

 

[SeeleyAnne]

Oh yeah, I never really considered going to a show. That would be really interesting!

 

[ChinchillasByDesign]

I have enjoyed every single ranch I have visited. It's always fun to see the different ways breeders do things. If you go visit Randy's ranch you can make the couple hour jog down to visit our tiny (in comparison) herd as well. We have around 200 animals in breeding, so our set up is quite different.

 

[Dreamlite]

When I was part of a cattle group (belted galloways), they had bus tours as part of their education for breeders. It was always great to go from big breeder to another and pick their brains. I learned so many new things doing that. It would be awesome if the local chin chapters could organise something like that. Or have a open house sched so people could come and see everything like the large horse farms do around here.

 

[Spoof]

Seeing rancher's barns is always amazing. Part of it is learning how different people do things the other part is like being in a giant chin candy store.

I always invite people to come visit and finding babies never quits being exciting regardless of how many you see in a visit.

lol @ the belted galloways, I haven't seen any since moving to the south. I just explained to someone the other day that the "oreo cookie cow" they saw while traveling is an actual breed.

 

[SeeleyAnne]

That sounds really cool. I want to go visit one so bad! I have no idea if there are any breeders/ranchers here in Utah. I guess I will have to do some researching. If anyone knows of any, please let me know!

 

[bchins]

Isn't Casey Craner located in Utah?

 

[VolunteerChin22]

I have visited other breeders and been to the Ryerson ranch many times. I have been to many shows and they are excellent events to attend even if you are a pet person. The ranchers and breeders are always very nice and willing to spend time to educate chin people of all backgrounds.

I would say you might want to prepare yourself if you do plan a visit that a rancher is not like a pet owner. You won't find the housing as spacious as you probably provide for your pet chin. This is for space efficiency and safety of kits and breeding animals but some pet people have their own opinions about it.

 

[SeeleyAnne]

I would say you might want to prepare yourself if you do plan a visit that a rancher is not like a pet owner. You won't find the housing as spacious as you probably provide for your pet chin. This is for space efficiency and safety of kits and breeding animals but some pet people have their own opinions about it.

Oh, I know! I never expected any breeders/ranchers to have big huge fancy cages for their chins. I understand that I mostly want to just learn about breeding (not because I'm planning on doing it, I just find it interesting) and I would like to see different colors of chins in real life! I've mostly just seen pictures!

 

[SeeleyAnne]

Isn't Casey Craner located in Utah?

Actually, I have no idea! I have heard the name used in one other thread, but that's all!

 

[Spoof]

I believe Casey's chins are still in Idaho unless he moved them recently.

 

[jags]

Do Pete & Sue Kiseskey have animals yet?