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[gina]

Had my 2 male chins together since birth from the breeder.  Sometimes their ears are folded down, almost like they are cold or scared.  Usually they both have them down @ the same time. I have a  digital thermometer/humidity display next to their cage. Usually it runs @ 66* farenheit with humidity level around 60%. I know that by adding humid. and temp to keep it lower than 150. But could it be that they are just cold? Knowing their ears are how they control their temp, could this be whats happening?  No customary squeaks or vocalizations when I reach into the cage to hold them when they are like this. Any ideas? -  New Chin Mom 

[chinclub]

Not to worry, chinchillas sometimes have droopy ears.  I notice it most when they have been sleeping.

[Ari and Ingram]

My Ingram does the same thing when he sleeps. And its takes a while for them to perk back up. I guess just like us and our sleepy eyes after we wake up.

[olivia41]

my one chinny Indy is a sleepyhead and everytime i come in the room and hes disturbed, he comes to the front of the cage with his ears down or just one ear down. its so cute! but hes the only one that really does that out of my three boys. it could just be a coincidence that both your boys do that, i wouldnt worry! its good to ask though, youre just a concerned mommy 

[Jo Ann]

     66 is a good temperature ... we keep ours between 66 and 68 year round. 
60% humidity is a little high, but not to bad ... between 45 and 50 % is good ... if the temperature were higher the 60% humidity could cause problems.
Do they have a hut? 
Do they sleep huddled together? 
How old are they?
Are they pretty active and playful?
Is there an air vent anywhere close to them?
When my little ones wake up and their ears are down ... I think it looks like they are saying ... "And what part of 'I don't do mornings' do you not understand?"   

   Jo Ann

[gina]

 Dear Jo Ann,
 In response to your questions... (Thx 4 asking..)
They don't have a hut (PVC pipe), sleep close to eachother sometimes ontop eachother (cute!), and are very active especially from 8pm-5am: raising mayhem by rearranging "furniture", drinking water, pushing the hay cubes around, etc... (they get "playtime" out of their cage every night except sundays at about 7pm-8pm for an hour), one is 6 months old and the other is 7 months old (raised together), air vent not too close but a window is across the room and sometimes I leave it open a little bit, but no direct breeze on them. I place my thermometer next to table lamp about 3 ft from their cage so I can tell what the warmest temp. is in the room.
 Does this info help Jo Ann?  Please respond with any comments and/suggestions or further questions. I love them both so much already (only adopted 3 weeks ago)..and want to give them the best and HEALTHIEST life I can- thats why I'm here @ this forum board. Thank You everyone for your input!

[chinclub]

Sounds like they are doing great and you are doing everything you should to keep them happy and healthy!

You might want to add a little house of some sort for them.(even if its just a cardboard box)  Chinchillas like to snuggle up in some little dark area to sleep during the day.  Then it gives them something else to jump on and destroy at night. 

[Ladykelia]

My Apollo has the silliest ears that he sometimes randomly has down, and sometimes only one down. its adorable and I don't think it's anything to worry about. Loki has his ears down sometimes but usually just when he's been sleeping.

[Jo Ann]

     Sorry I did not get back to you faster ... been a little under the weather and off the computer.  Sounds like everything is set up correctly.  Some chins will tend to fold the ears down while others do not.  As long as they are not constantly scratching at them and they are a normal temperature, I don't think I would worry about them.  They may just need a little more time to adjust, good food and lots of TLC.   

I use the PVC pipe also ... it's easy to clean ... even in the dishwasher on the top shelf only and it lasts longer.   Mine like to huddle up in them also ... as well as play inside of and on them.    A small cardboard box is usually appreciated also ... an empty Kleenex box or oatmeal box is fun for them also.   

   Jo Ann

[Ladykelia]

I got a picture of Apollo with only one of his ears folded down. He's not mad or sleepy, just silly.

[Jo Ann]

   He is precious!  Just looks a little shy to me.

As long as there are no tears or damage to the ears and no fever, I would not worry.

   Jo Ann

[jmdebb]

mine are always down when sleeping, adn sometimes they get hot, or if they are in their hammocks.  its cute when they come up, their ears POP UP.