when do you know your ready for a new chin

[lulu4au]

Ok as most of you guys know I got my first chin during spring break and I got another one about a month or two ago. You also know that I am looking into getting another one. Now I know that I will be able to afford 3 chins and I have 2 cages right now and just ordered another cage. So my question is when do you when you are ready for another chin? And those who do know me do you guys think I am ready for another chin?

 

[addictedtochins]

It may be a little soon. I would spend more time getting to know the 2 I already have. I really try to limit myself to getting a new pet about every year, and keep in mind that animals have a way of finding you. What I mean is if you get a new chin what are you going to do about the poor miserable chin you discover online.

 

[lauralynne]

Oi vay. This is not meant to sound harsh or heartless...but I won't sugar coat, either.

You've gotten four animals since March. You asked me in chat before you got Murphy about breeding him with a female chin you had your eye on at the petstore. You've talked nonstop about adding more animals since we first chatted when you joined.
You're still in college, and statistically (although not true in all cases) the odds are stacked against you as far as keeping your animals for their entire lives.

I WANT you to be an awesome pet owner. I WANT you to defy the odds. However, I don't think you need any new animals right now.

JMO.

 

[lulu4au]

The breeding part you are waayy off with! I asked a question about breeding because my friend wanted to buy this chin at a pet store and breed her. I do not want to breed. Also the only reason why I have two hedgies is because the guy I got them from put the extra one in the carrier without me knowing and when I found out and told him he said he was gonna let them out in the wild if I hadn't of came. Also about the time I would be getting one would either be june or aug.

 

[Stackie]

I agree with Laura. You need to take the time to get to know and take care of the two that you have and be absolutely sure you can meet their needs before bringing another into your home. I know how money can be stretched in college; just think..if one of the chins gets sick, and then another, and they both require veterinary care, are you going to be able to provide it? Seriously, it seems like when one thing happens, another. I had a chin get an impaction and soon after, another came down with a horrible infection, and right after, an eye infection. My vet bills racked up very quickly and I know that if I were still in college, I would not have been able to afford them.

Unfortunately I have seen people get one chin and two months later they have 5, but soon after the excitement wears off or they figure out they can not afford them and they are dumping their chins on rescues or CL or whatever. I'm not saying at all that you will do the same, but I think you need to slow wayyyy down.

 

[lauralynne]

The breeding part you are waayy off with! I asked a question about breeding because my friend wanted to buy this chin at a pet store and breed her. I do not want to breed. Also the only reason why I have two hedgies is because the guy I got them from put the extra one in the carrier without me knowing and when I found out and told him he said he was gonna let them out in the wild if I hadn't of came. Also about the time I would be getting one would either be june or aug.

Please don't tell me I'm way off on the breeding thing. I have the text saved from chat where you said it.

 

[lulu4au]

Well the money part I promise I have nooo problem with, I have money and yes I am a college student soon to get married I know that. The other points were a good point too.

 

[lulu4au]

I asked about the breeding because my friend wanted to breed her store bought chin! Like I've said I don't want to breed chin and will never want to breed chins! Now I could of said I could of breed murphy since he was not a store bought chin but that doesn't not mean I wanted to breed. Now being on this forum and hearing about breeding and how hard it is pretty much killed any little thought of even breeding. Josh even talked about getting our boys fixed. This thread an be closed. I've made up my mind no more chins.

 

[burritothechinchilla]

Now I could of said I could of breed murphy since he was not a store bought chin.

Just so you know, not every chinchilla that was not bought from a pet store can be bred. You need to know their petigree, and you should have them evaluated/brought to chinchilla shows before you even THINK about breeding them.

 

[lauralynne]

The breeding part you are waayy off with! I asked a question about breeding because my friend wanted to buy this chin at a pet store and breed her. I do not want to breed. Also the only reason why I have two hedgies is because the guy I got them from put the extra one in the carrier without me knowing and when I found out and told him he said he was gonna let them out in the wild if I hadn't of came. Also about the time I would be getting one would either be june or aug.

Although I know that people on the forum would believe me before believing you, I started saving the chat midway through because I had a bad feeling about it.

Perhaps you've changed your mind about breeding, but don't make me out to be a liar. This is chat from 4/7/10.

lulu4au says to (14:32:14):
i want 2 breed the 1 parka is selling 2 me cuz she has papers on him
lauralynne says (14:32:42):
if you want to breed, i would ask her to mentor you and purchase 2 breeding animals from her.
lulu4au says to (14:33:14):
she only has 1 tho
lauralynne says (14:33:21):
breeders work very hard to breed for quality and when people breed pet store and rescue chins, it defeats the whole purchase.
*** (14:33:23):Welcome to Chins-n-Hedgies Room , Ian!
lauralynne says (14:34:25):
if she doesn't have two, then you need to purchase another from a reputable breeder or wait until she has another for you
lauralynne says (14:34:36):
those are the 2 options if you want to breed.
Ian says to (14:34:53):
oOo breeding
lulu4au says to (14:34:53):
oh ok
lulu4au says to (14:35:05):
maybe i just shouldnt breed
Ian says to (14:35:25):
breeding is hard gotta make sure got right chins with backgrounds n stuff :/
lauralynne says (14:35:41):
that's a good idea for now. it's a lot to learn and take in. doesn't mean you can't in the future. how long have you had the one you have now?
lulu4au says to (14:36:25):
she did say that he his pedigree has no genetic defects
lauralynne says (14:36:54):
that is good, but you wouldn't know anything on the petstore chin.
lulu4au says to (14:37:15):
well c ive only owned biggy 4 a couple of weeks that y id like 2 breed but just not 4 awhile
lulu4au says to (14:37:23):
yea
Jake says to (14:37:34):
im hoping my room is cool enough with the ac on
lauralynne says (14:38:14):
yep. you need to take a BIG step back and learn...A LOT first.
Ian says to (14:38:23):
if you do breed you have to be aware that you have to keep the male away from the female when she gives birth as he will mate with her and she can become pregnant again within 24hrs after giving birth - also there are lots of chins who are in rescues
Ian says to (14:38:32):
and breeding more will only increas those numbers :/
lulu4au says to (14:38:44):
so since i am gonna hav 2 boy chins i should not try 2 get a grl chin
lauralynne says (14:38:49):
exactly
Ian says to (14:39:47):
if you had say 2 boy chins in a cage and have a female in teh same room but diff cage teh boys will almost always fall out and fight and when you see chins fighting its not a pretty sight and can be a devastating problem with injuries or deaths
lulu4au says to (14:39:50):
i wasnt really thinkin abt breeding 4 a good while 2 and only if i kno sum1 who wanted 1
lauralynne says to Ian (private) (14:40:42):
she already told me she wants to get a female at the petstore to breed w/ them.
lulu4au says to (14:40:49):
yea i luv biggy 2 much 2 let that happen 2 him
Ian says to (14:41:13):
i worked with chins for 2 years and learnt alot from forums before i even thought about breeding and getting my own chins
lulu4au says to (14:41:14):
and i dont wanna not get the other boy chin just 2 get a grl chin
lauralynne says (14:41:35):
well, if you love him, you will love a female the same way. there are MANY things that can go wrong during birthing.
Ian says to (14:41:37):
2 boys should get on ok but you have to put them in separate cages to start with so they can see each other but not attack
Ian says to (14:41:43):
and let them get used to each other can take weeks
lauralynne says (14:41:52):
an emergency c-section can cost 800-1500 dollars
lulu4au says to (14:42:27):
so i should but the 2 cages close so they can c each other 4 a few weeks
Ian says to (14:42:52):
yah always start out that way but they might not get on
lauralynne says (14:42:52):
and take a look at these graphic pictures of things that are not uncommon in breeding
lauralynne says (14:42:54):
http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=117
lulu4au says to (14:43:04):
i kno the 1 i am gettin had been w/another chin but biggy hasnt
Ian says to (14:43:05):
and you might be stuck with 2 chins that wont get on in 2 cages
lauralynne says (14:43:21):
yep. there are some chins who just don't get along.
lulu4au says to (14:44:41):
well that will be fine if they dont
lulu4au says to (14:45:50):
parka is givin me a huge cage w/the chin im gettin
lauralynne says (14:48:23):
how far away from you is parka?
lulu4au says to (14:48:40):
well she said 3 hours
lulu4au says to (14:49:50):
im probly gonna stop @ 2 chins
lulu4au says to (14:50:03):
probly not gonna get ne more
Ian says to (14:50:37):
i said that
*** (14:50:38):Welcome to Chins-n-Hedgies Room , macygray!
Ian says to (14:50:44):
i ended up with 30-40 at one point
Ian says to (14:50:46):
hey mae
macygray says to (14:51:09):
Hey everyone!! I saw a shooting star tonight!! Im so happy...had to share
lauralynne says (14:51:11):
i started w/ 2, and swore i wouldn't get more. much to my husband's dismay, i did. lol
lauralynne says (14:51:16):
hi mae!
lulu4au says to (14:51:50):
yea but if they dont get along then ill hav cages all arounf my place plus its not good if i get grls cuz the boys will fight

 

[Kalandra]

OK guys, back on topic please. This thread is not going to go from a serious question to poking fun of people for using the wrong word. Doing so will not help the original poster at all.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Lulu,

You know I know you, we're in chat together all the time. I don't think you're ready for a new chinchilla either. You just got the two you have and also brought a hedgie into the home. With Josh heading off to be a marine and you wanting to go to college, you will not have a lot of income left over for animals. From experience, it is HARD to have a large amount of chinchillas when you are starting out in college. The first year or two is when people usually rehome the majority of their pets because of time and money issues. I'm glad your not adding a new chin right now. They are addicting little creatures but getting in too fast always has bad consequences.

 

[caiti]

I've made up my mind no more chins.

I think that may be the best idea for now. I don't know you or you're situation, but nothing bad can come from just enjoying the animals you have now and it's the safest/easiest (financially, dealing with illnesses between animals, etc.) route to go. I think you made a good decision!! Go you!!
Just trying to get some love on this thread...it could use some more!!

 

[lulu4au]

i think you are all right and after watching Biggy and Murphy together I dont think it be a right idea.