There's no way to know unless the breeder tells you. I would hate to think that he got weaned for no other reason than the breeder wanting to sell him.
Six weeks or Eight?
- Thread starter QuandoQuandoQuando
- Start date
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QuandoQuandoQuando
*meeps*
And if he has? Would it be better for me to take him home, then stay with the breeder?
AZChins
Pro Cage Cleaner Champion
I always wean into community cages, as well. It's easier on the babies and I think that the distraction of other young chins makes it so much fun for them! 
I like for babies to be with mom for as long as possible. They're more social that way....sometimes I can get away with keeping females in with mom until nearly four months of age. (That isn't always convenient because the dad has to stay away for much of that time.)
I like for babies to be with mom for as long as possible. They're more social that way....sometimes I can get away with keeping females in with mom until nearly four months of age. (That isn't always convenient because the dad has to stay away for much of that time.)
Godins Chinchillas
Godin's Chinchillas
I also pair them up after weaning (males/males, females/females). They love to popcorn around and on top of each other. They need that social interaction.
I've only had to wean one kit early-5 weeks. Mom was sick. She had a hard time adjusting without mom. We held her often and had her with another female for company. She did ok after the first couple of weeks but she was not happy at first.
You sound hesitant on giving out info regarding your breeder's practices. Did she wean him/her too early or not? And if she did-then yes-that kit should be staying with her until she/he is old enough to go. I would never take a kit that early...period.
I've only had to wean one kit early-5 weeks. Mom was sick. She had a hard time adjusting without mom. We held her often and had her with another female for company. She did ok after the first couple of weeks but she was not happy at first.
You sound hesitant on giving out info regarding your breeder's practices. Did she wean him/her too early or not? And if she did-then yes-that kit should be staying with her until she/he is old enough to go. I would never take a kit that early...period.
Cuddlebug
Well-known member
I agree, that baby is too young to be without mom unless there are some circumstances that demand it. Even if I had to wean one early, I would not let that kit go to a new home until it was at least 8 weeks old.
starleomach
Dawnna's Keeper
It may be unethical to separate babies too early from mom...but not illegal. not even in cats and dogs....
Ash
Trouble....
Don't know about other states, but in PA I know it's illegal to sell/barter a puppy before 8 weeks of age and without shots. But if it's "given" away, then it's OK. Total crap, isn't it?
The baby should definitely stay with the breeder until he is 10-12 weeks of age so he/she can make sure he's transitioning OK, but on the other hand, if she's so worried about getting him out of there, I half wonder if the baby will be better suited in the home of someone who actually cares about his well-being and will watch for signs of distress...
The baby should definitely stay with the breeder until he is 10-12 weeks of age so he/she can make sure he's transitioning OK, but on the other hand, if she's so worried about getting him out of there, I half wonder if the baby will be better suited in the home of someone who actually cares about his well-being and will watch for signs of distress...
QuandoQuandoQuando
*meeps*
I hope this doesn’t offend any of you who have kindly put your time into giving me the comments of your experience, but I have decided that I'm going to take Quando home on the 2nd because the breeder had said originally that I can, and because I believe that he will be equally or less stressed just coming home with me, rather than staying with her hand-sy children (as sweet as they are). I hope that you all can still give me advice and answer my questions in the future.
Just as a side note, I have a vet appointment scheduled for the 4th, after he comes home, and I have checked with a family member, who is a vet, and is well versed with chinchillas, if it's okay to bring him home.
Once again, I thank you all so much!
Just as a side note, I have a vet appointment scheduled for the 4th, after he comes home, and I have checked with a family member, who is a vet, and is well versed with chinchillas, if it's okay to bring him home.
Once again, I thank you all so much!
Diamond Dreams
Erudite Chinchillas
I would think that taking him to the vet so soon after bringing him home would be stressful for the little guy. Why are you taking him to the vet?
QuandoQuandoQuando
*meeps*
For a check up, to make sure everything is fine I suppose, but I was worried if it would be stressful. When would a good time be, after bringing him home, for a less stressful trip to the vet?
For future reference, and in no way to downgrade your relative, but most vets know as much about chinchillas as I know about rocket science, especially the "experienced" ones. There are some who actually know what they are talking about, but I never take what my vet says as the gospel. I turn to people who actually own, raise, and care for chins for verification.
As far as a vet visit, there is no need unless something is wrong with him. Well checks are pretty much laughable at a vet's office, other than to give the vet money. What can they tell you, especially with a kit?
Yes, he has fur, excellent.
Yes, his teeth are orange/yellow, again, excellent.
Four paws - check.
Two ears - check.
Do you get my point? Unless he has an obvious health issue like pneumonia, an ear infection, fungus, a heart murmur, etc., then there is no point to a vet visit.
I also just want to point out, that we all knew you would take him home at the original date decided. What we were trying to do, from actual experence with owning and breeding chins, was let you know that it isn't the best idea and why. Ultimately the decision is yours, and of course we will still be here to help when things go wrong. We would never abandon a chin in need.
As far as a vet visit, there is no need unless something is wrong with him. Well checks are pretty much laughable at a vet's office, other than to give the vet money. What can they tell you, especially with a kit?
Yes, he has fur, excellent.
Yes, his teeth are orange/yellow, again, excellent.
Four paws - check.
Two ears - check.
Do you get my point? Unless he has an obvious health issue like pneumonia, an ear infection, fungus, a heart murmur, etc., then there is no point to a vet visit.
I also just want to point out, that we all knew you would take him home at the original date decided. What we were trying to do, from actual experence with owning and breeding chins, was let you know that it isn't the best idea and why. Ultimately the decision is yours, and of course we will still be here to help when things go wrong. We would never abandon a chin in need.
QuandoQuandoQuando
*meeps*
Thanks so much, especially for saving me $37!
And as to my relitive, he does actually own chinchillas along with being a vet, so I trusted him a bit more then any family member/vet.
Thanks for being great, not to mention understanding.
And as to my relitive, he does actually own chinchillas along with being a vet, so I trusted him a bit more then any family member/vet.
Thanks for being great, not to mention understanding.
I have come back to this thread a few times today and I have to ask the following questions:
How much actual information has this "breeder" given you about this little chinchilla?
What age was it weaned? Why?
How much does it weigh?
Why is she so desperate to sell it at 6 weeks?
A kit which is sold too young may not be "fully" weaned and truly independent. That coupled with obvious stress of a new move can lead to failure to thrive and /or gastro-intestinal problems which can prove fatal to the little chinchilla.
At the very minimum it will need very careful monitoring of its eating, drinking, peeing, pooping - also weighing daily (every couple of days) to make sure it is not losing weight.
Is the "breeder" prepared to give you follow-up advice and/or take the kit back if it fails to thrive because she sold it so young?
You've got some very experienced chinchilla owners here suggesting that you (at the very least) wait until the kit is actually old enough to properly fend for itself - yet it seems you are willing to disregard that advice..........
They are also telling you that they would not sell a chin so young - that should speak volumes in itself.
Is it really worth the risk?
How much actual information has this "breeder" given you about this little chinchilla?
What age was it weaned? Why?
How much does it weigh?
Why is she so desperate to sell it at 6 weeks?
A kit which is sold too young may not be "fully" weaned and truly independent. That coupled with obvious stress of a new move can lead to failure to thrive and /or gastro-intestinal problems which can prove fatal to the little chinchilla.
At the very minimum it will need very careful monitoring of its eating, drinking, peeing, pooping - also weighing daily (every couple of days) to make sure it is not losing weight.
Is the "breeder" prepared to give you follow-up advice and/or take the kit back if it fails to thrive because she sold it so young?
You've got some very experienced chinchilla owners here suggesting that you (at the very least) wait until the kit is actually old enough to properly fend for itself - yet it seems you are willing to disregard that advice..........
They are also telling you that they would not sell a chin so young - that should speak volumes in itself.
Is it really worth the risk?
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