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Author Topic: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"  (Read 3167 times)

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jmrothermel

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Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« on: December 29, 2006, 02:51:30 PM »

Sorry if I couldn't think of a better title, lol, but my question is if they dislike another chin, and that chin goes to a different part of the cage, will the first chin just lay down and forget that he/she just hated the other chin, or will they typically follow each other around and harass each other?  My two havent shown ANY signs of agression so far, but I wondered if they dont realize they are in the cage together half the time lol.  Here's a pic I just caught of the two of them sitting and dozing off next to each other, is this cuddling?  Would they do this if they didn't like each other?  (The male found his way to the top finally!)  I'm still going to separate them while I go away (Just in case) but is this what I'm looking for?

Please excuse the bars lol had I opened the cage to get the pic they would have jumped around and I didn't want that!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/jmrothermel/100_2343.jpg

Thanks soooo much!
Jacqui
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Abby W.

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #1 on: December 29, 2006, 08:49:47 PM »

In my experience, which is admittedly more limited than some of the other breeders, if two chins are in the same cage and dislike each other they will harass one a nother until separated.  I have never had two just grumpily ignore each other, and certainly they have not slept in the same area.  I would think that if the two are sleeping near one another that they at least accept each other as part of the same "colony".
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chinclub

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2006, 07:17:43 AM »

We recently had a situation where we added a new chinchilla to our male's 2 story cage.  The second male would not go down to the first level.  He seemed to not understand how to get down there.  The food, water, and the 1st chinchilla's bed were all down there.  So I added a second water bottle and food to the top level.  The first chinchilla moved up to the top level and they even slept together up there.  This went on for over 8 hours. 

Then the second chinchilla finally decided to go down stairs.  As soon as he jumped down the first chinchilla was all over him!!  He was attacked with vicious force and I got a nasty bite getting him out of the cage away from the other one.  It seems that the first chinchilla wasn't threatened as long as the new guy stayed upstairs but as soon as he got near the bed and food of the first one he was no longer welcome. I was completely thrown by this behavior because they had cuddled up to each other for most of the day!!!  Thankfully I had not left the room because I feel sure chinchilla number two would have been killed.

So you just never know!
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Debbie.nl.ca

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2006, 02:06:56 PM »

How true Jamie,
Though the chins in the picture seem OK with each other, do make sure they are familiar with the whole cage.
One could get hurt in a chase,& if their not sure where they are going it could be worse.
They look contented enough with each other to me, but only time will tell.
It sounds like a male/female pairing, is it?
If so that should run a little smoother than same sexes.
They look young though for a breeding pair.
Do tell us more.
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jmrothermel

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2007, 06:37:42 PM »

Hi Debbie, the female is just a few days shy of 1 year old, and she's the larger of the two.  The male is still a baby, coming in at about 7 months old.  The female just came out of heat about a week ago before I introduced them, so by the time she is in cycle again the male will be 8 months old.  They are just standard grays, but came from a reputable breeder close to me.  I may look into breeding other strands in the future, if all goes well with these two.

Growing up we used to breed chinchillas, but my mom really did all the work.  So when I saw the cute little babies the introducing was already done, the babies were made, and all I helped her do was weigh them and take care of them and whatnot.  So some of this is familiar, and some of this is new to me.  Luckily I have her help, as well as the help of many well informed people like you all  :::grins::

Thank you for your advice, we are now back from our two day trip, and the chinchillas are together and doing fine.  They're not sleeping together again, but she has been to the bottom, hes been to the top and no fighting.  But I stay home all day with our children, so I will still keep an eye on them.

THanks again!
Jacqui
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Debbie.nl.ca

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2007, 10:51:00 AM »

Sounds like a good pairing to me, my fingers crossed for them.
Sounds good though.
So you should get spring Kits.  ::silly::
Keep us posted K
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Jo Ann

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Re: Are Chinchillas "Out of sight out of mind?"
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2007, 01:00:39 PM »

::silly::Sounds like #2 chin crossed over the boundary lines of the #1 chin when he/she went to the bottom floor ... some chins can be very territorial, especially the females.

If they fought once, it is always good to keep an eye on them ... things are just to uncertain.  Was it the male or the female that was the aggressor?

How are they doing now?

 ::wave::
Jo Ann
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