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[Sweetnessheart]

My son, Joseph, has decided to do his 7th grade science project on chinchillas.  Specifically, how light and the amount of light may or may not determine the sex of the kits.  If anyone knows where information can be gotten or if anyone has done any research on this Please email us or just post it to my mailbox.  We need all the info we can find.
Thank you in advance!!

[Abby W.]

I know Jo Ann published one article on the subject for the chinchilla club magazine

Lighting Affects Your Chinchilla

You could also ask her what sources she used for that article.  I am sure she can refer you to some good info.

[jmrothermel]

Wow, I didn't even KNOW that!  Ya learn something new everyday!  Tell your son he's doing a wonderful topic - and that I wish him the best and an A+++!
 
Jacqui

[Debbie.nl.ca]

There was some interesting stuff in the last MCBA Mag. on that subject.
I'm doing my own little experiment with blue tones. Hoping for females in the winter.
I seem to get mostly males during the winter and females in the summer.
Might be good to do up a questionair and ask several breeders what they have found.
I'd love to read it when he's finished.
I know he won't blow his teacher mind, if the teacher even knows what a chin is.

[chinclub]

You might find this helpful:
http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51118

Notes from a chat with Gary Neubauer

Question: Is there any correlation between natural light or lack thereof and the sex ratio of kits?

Gary: I read books on lighting by Doctor Ott an expert on lighting. Very very inconclusive. I would say the ratio is more to heat then light.


Question: In what way?

Gary: The male is responsible for sex of baby, having x and Y chromosome and the sperm which produces females is a slower sperm. Male sperm is faster, but dies more quickly. The male sperms die off faster as they get warmer. That explains why a lot of winter litter have more females. We have kept track since 1946 and the ratio bears us out over 50 years. I don't know why light would have anything to do with it. I know somebody produced a blue light experiment which was a farce.

[Sweetnessheart]

Thank you All!  Joseph has plenty of information to get his project well on its way!   

Why do children wait until the last minute to get started on projects?  I don't remember being like that!   

I will let you know how it turns out and what grade he makes.