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[Indigoblue9572]

Barley and Hopps, both males, born Feb 6th.  We love them! 

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

Aww, what cuties! Quick question: what brand of pellets are you using?

[Indigoblue9572]

They came with a ziplock bag of food from their previous owner.  She says it's Forti Diet Pro and she orders it online.  I want to keep them on the same food so as not to upset their tummies so I'll look for it at stores.

Is there a preferred/better brand?

[GrayRodent]

What was recommended to me by Jamie (chinclub) was Tradition Chinchilla Diet. I think it's been rebranded now to Hubbard Life but don't quote me on that.

I've been getting mine from the Ryerson ranch in a flat rate box. In the US the price per pound is comparable and maybe less expensive than other diets you get at local stores. The web site is a bit odd looking and convoluted but it does work and they did a good job with shipping the product. My 3-month old chin has been growing on that for a few months and he looks and acts very healthy. His growth chart is still looking good. He was switched from Purina Rabbit Show which is also a very good diet. He also gets an unlimited supply of timothy hay. Bermuda hay can be used as well. Having loose hay is essential to keep the teeth properly trimmed.

For growing chinchillas calf manna is a good treat and supplement. This is something that can be ordered from TJ's. After the chin's system is used to small amounts (maybe 4 or 5 pellets a day for a week) about a teaspoon's worth of pellets can be given otherwise you risk very loose stools.

[Indigoblue9572]

Thanks for the insight.  I don't want to change their diet quickly as I've read it can upset their stomachs.  I'll look at the foods you mentioned.  I wish they'd sell a good diet in local stores, as having to have things shipped to my apartment can be dicey.  Sometimes things make it there, other times, not so much.

I also feed my babies unlimited amounts of timothy hay.  They are very happy, look healthy, play a lot, sleep a good deal and are very active.  Eyes are bright, coats are in good shape and I check them over every time we have them out. 

I've been told giving them oats is a good treat so I picked some of them up and just give them a few pieces at night when we return them to their cage.  They also get a half a raisin each. 

Anything else I may need to know?

[GrayRodent]

I looked it up and it appears to be a decent diet. If you can't find it at a local store Oxbow and Mazuri are good alternatives. I've fed both and I think Mazuri is less crumbly. Switching over 5 days should be sufficient.

[lilchinchilla]

Mazuri is a better quality diet, imo.

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Awww congrats !!!!

[Indigoblue9572]

Thanks!  I'll check for the Mazuri diet this weekend and if the stores don't have it, I'll have to order it online.  I just hate ordering things since our apartment manager isn't on top of things and a lot of shipments get misplaced/lost.

[GrayRodent]

If you are going to order food Tradition may be the best of all diets. Mazuri is usually available at pet stores.

[lilchinchilla]

Tradition changed their formula lately and some breeders are complaining of the seaweed in it, and of issues with their herds. Some people are complaining of stillborn kits being born(half their kits being born are stillborn which is unusual for them.) . With mazuri, whether available in pet stores or not, there is no one complaining of digestive issues or stillborn kits or other problems arising from the mazuri, as Mazuri has kept the same formula for years. 

[GrayRodent]

Thank you very much for the info. That is awful. I will be switching then.
It does seem like Purina Rabbit Show has been highly recommended to me in the past and is what my breeder was feeding. What are your thoughts on that? I want my chinchilla to grow as much as possible throughout his first year and really want to do things right.

[Indigoblue9572]

I will be looking for the Mazuri this weekend, but since I'm running so low on their food from their previous owner, I'll have to probably order some of that too and mix them gradually right?

[Snickerdoodlesmom]

How low are you on the old food?

[GrayRodent]

That would be the way that carries the least amount of risk for digestive upset.

If I were in your situation I would just hold back two full days worth of the diet they are running out of and let them eat the rest. When they run out they'll eat only hay for a few days which should be just fine. (Having pelleted diet is going to be better for growing chins so I wouldn't do that long term). Then I would mix the diet over 5 days.

The advantage to mixing with the old pellets like this is to get the chinchillas associating the new pellets with the old since some chins can be very picky. Otherwise you could just keep them on their normal amount until they're out, let them eat only hay when that happens, then gradually add the new pellets into their diet which, from a digestive standpoint still has the affect of a gradual change. That way you don't have to buy more than you need.

The other option of course is to get the old and the new food, then donate the old food to an animal shelter or rescue that takes care of rabbits which don't require such a specialized diet.