From: jensen@rtsg.mot.com (James D. Jensen)
Subject: Chinchillas - old postings
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 21:23:45 GMT

While responding to postings on chinchillas a while back, I accidently had
my distribution set to local, so many of you may have missed them.  Therefore
I am re-posting them since there may be some helpful information.

Here goes:

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: jensen@rtsg.mot.com (James D. Jensen)
Subject: Re: Chinchillas as pets?
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1992 00:16:56 GMT

urf@icl.se (Urban F) writes:
>jade@IASTATE.EDU (Eva D Bryne) writes:
>>Also how are they with cats (kittens).  
 
>About the only animal you can have together with chinchillas are
>guinea pigs. They are quiet, calm and keep to the floor and will
>therefore not compete with the chinchillas for sleeping space up
>in the branches. You can't even have small children if you have
>chinchillas, as they would be disturbed too much.
 
>Chinchillas are very sensitive, rabbits will literally (yes, I do
>know what the word means) drive them crazy with their jumping
>around, and a bird landing on the roof of their cage can frighten
>them to death.
 
>So a carnivore in the same household is definitely out of the 
>question.
 
This is not entirely true.  I have seen chinchillas living with rabbits in
 a pet store.  They would actually cuddle up together.  I do not recommend
this, as chinchillas should not eat rabbit food.  It does not have the correct
vitamins.  Also, the rabbit may chew on the chin's whiskers.  I have also
been told the chin can catch some kind of disease froma rabbit, although
I don't recall any details on this.

I have also heard of stories where chins were with rats, guinea pigs, and one
that cuddled up with a dog.  My personal opinion is that they should not
be kept with other animals, but as far as a rabbit LITERALLY driving them,
crazy, I don't buy it.  I also don't see a bird landing on it's cage
causing a heart attack, unless maybe it's a vulture!
 
 
>If you do get a chinchilla, don't keep it in a cage all the time,
>they are no trouble at all running and jumping around an apartment,
>and are quite affectionate.
 
I agree, but remember that they love to chew, so keep an eye on them for
both your sake and their's.
 
Overall, chinchillas make great pets and are very easy to take care of.
I recommend them, but then again, I have 8 myself (and babies on the way)

Newsgroups: rec.pets
From: jensen@rtsg.mot.com (James D. Jensen)
Subject: Re: Chinchillas as pets?
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 1992 19:13:56 GMT

ebp4907@ultb.isc.rit.edu (E.B. Palmer) writes:
 
>As long as we're on the subject, my chinchilla had 2 babies
>today...apparently the father's beige color was dominant, because they
>are both beige (though darker than the father and I don't think they'll
>have red eyes).  They're really amazingly cute...they're born with fur
>and with open eyes, and are about the size of a small newborn kitten.
 
>I just wanted to announce it...haven't had any problems yet. :)
 
Congratulations on the babies.  They can be lots of fun.  Generally there
are very few problems associated with Chinchilla births.  So far I've had 7
different litters from my chins, and no medical complications.
 
I did have one litter in a cage where the holes in the cage were to large, and
the babies escaped.  Fortunately I found them right away and they were ok.
They can fit through small areas.  This cage has 1" x 2" openings.  
 
That's good that you got 2 beige babies.  You may get all gray next time.
(This is assuming the mother is gray)  You should get 50% gray and 50% beige
over time.  If the mother had beige in her background, you may see more 
beige.  If the father is not a pure beige, then maybe less.
 
One question I have for you is did you keep the father in with them?  You can do this, but if you do, there should be a place for the babies to hide.  The
mother goes back into heat shortly after giving birth.  The male may accidently
trample the babies in the process of mating.  Also, it is not good for the 
female to become pregnant right away, as she can get worn out from carrying
a litter while nursing another.  If she is bred right away, she should get
some rest after the next litter.
 
One other thing to watch is how the father reacts.  Usually he has no problem
with the babies, and will help take care of them.  Sometimes a certain baby
will stay by the father more.  I have heard of cases where the father has
killed the baby though.  This is very rare, but if he seems to be causing
trouble, he should be removed.  I have not had this problem (yet, and hopefully
never).
 
What I normally do is remove the father shortly before delivery.  One week
later, I remove the babies, and give the parents 15-30 minutes alone.  He
will usually chase her around during this period, and then calm down.  Then
I put the babies in the cage.  At this point keep an eye on the father.  He
will be curious, but should not start any trouble.  This has worked well for me. 
Also, there is no problem with handling the babies this young.  It is good
for them to get used to being handled.  The mother usually won't mind, and
welcomes some rest time.  Just don't remove them for too long.  
 
Good Luck with the babies.  They will start eating hay in a few days, and 
usually pellets by end of 1-2 weeks of age.
 
Hope this helps anyone who will be breeding chinchillas.
 


There aren't enough postings about chinchillas!  How about some 
chinchilla stories.  This post is long enough, but maybe later
I'll share some of mine.

Jim Jensen