splitting up a family

[clare-bear]

I currently have a family of four chinchillas, dad, mum, son who is 1 1/2 and a six month old girl. we no longer have time to look after them properly but no one wants to buy them. The pet shop will only take two and I don't know the nicest way to split them up. Ideally I would like to keep dad and daughter but am afraid they will continue to breed. any suggestions

 

[Stackie]

If you keep two chins of the opposite sex together they will breed. They don't know or care that they're related.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Narcissus]

Regardless if you rehome any or all of them. They need two separate cages. Mom and daughter in one dad and son in the other.
inbreeding and the males fighting is very dangerous. They need to be separated ASAP

 

[Dreamlite]

If you have to give 2 to a pet store, I would give them the father and son. Both females very well could be pregnant at this point since they have been caged with males. They need to be separated asap to avoid inbreeding.

 

[tunes]

I agree. If I had to choose, it would be the males who would go. Not only could the females be pregnant, but you would run the risk of someone else buying them from the pet store to build their breeding empire.

 

[starleomach]

I agree move the males on keep the females who are likely pregnant

 

[Vyxxin]

I'm really not sure what the "chinchilla scene" is like where you live...if there are other options available such as a chinchilla rescue or whatnot...

If your primary concern is money, then you'll need to house them until you can sell them. If the petstore is willing to pay in this case, I'd sell them the two males together...as has been stated, BOTH females could be pregnant and either scenario may be from inbreeding.

If money is not the concern, reduce the price to sell them quicker but again...unless the buyer has baby experience that'd be VERY irresponsible as (again) both females could be pregnant. So (again) selling the males together would be the best option.

Your other option, if money isn't the concern, would be to give the whole group to a chinchilla experienced rescue.

Finally, and it can't be said enough, these chinchillas should already be separated. If you don't have time to care for four...imagine caring for 8 when the females litter...and they will...as males and females breed. Period. They don't consider whether or not they're related. They can't think on that level.

SO, unless you have an immediate and RESPONSIBLE rehoming option, please separate males into one cage and females into another (and babysafe) cage.

 

[Cuddlebug]

Where are you locaated. I am in Colorado and I do rescue. If you are close, I can take all 4 or just the girls.