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[Jo Ann]

Hi Joyce,

   Wonder if it was a sliver of the cuttlebone or the wire/metal holder?  Many people do not like the idea of it being on the floor of the cage and will leave the holder on it or will strap it to the bars with wire.   

    If you are afraid to put one in the cage, maybe you could just shave some of it off on to her pellets or mix it in her critical care? 
    If you don't have critical care ... take a few pellets, some hay and pulverize it in the blender ... shave a little bit of the cuttlebone in it ... add a tiny amount of Nutri-Cal (about the size of a pea), to hide the taste of the cuttlebone (of course some chins like the taste) ... mix well and form little balls of it (chin-paw-size) and give it to her as a treat.  Place in an airtight container and refrigerate.  If you don't have Nutri-Cal, you can use a tiny amount of yogurt.  Make sure you refrigerate in an air-tight container.

 
Jo Ann

P.S. Still trying to find the post about the acceptable woods ... I think Jamie posted the answer ... I know apple, and pine are safe.  Apple safe IF it has NOT been sprayed. Pine has to be seasoned, not fresh.

[Joyce]

  What exactly is cuttle bone made of?  I went to pick up my 75 pounds of pellets tonight and forced myself down the "cuttlebone isle".  They look to me like the body of a filet of flounder.  Seriously, it really looks fishlike. 
  Of course I left without one again.  Still can't get passed it.  Sorry.
What else can I give her when she is nursing that is really rich in calcium?

[FluffBall]

OK Jo Ann
ok woods are :
Peach, Apple, Birch, Aspen, Maple, Willow, Manzanila, & Hazelnut
no no woods are Cedar, Plum, Cherry, Oleander, & Redwood

ok to use untreated wicker baskets(double as a second home or hiding place that is safe)
wooden toys (lincoln logs, tinker toys)
cardboard paper towel tubes
kleenex boxes are fun too

[chinclub]

Anyone know about pear trees?  I am thinking they are ok but not entirely sure....

[FluffBall]

nope on the pear I am still a little questionable about the peach tree cause I remember Jo Ann saying something about no wood from trees that have pits in thier fruit? I am not sure so I will just stay away until I find someone
( a breeder that has breed for many many years)that has used it several times and it is ok

[Sweetnessheart]

Mine love pear trees.  We have several trees and I just go out and cut off branches.  They will even roll over and over on them like a dust bath!

[chinclub]

I have heard that about the pitted fruit too, but I am sure that peach is OK.  That came right out of the Joy of Chinchillas book.  They do extensive chinchilla research so we can trust them.

[FluffBall]

ok thankyou when I find one I will get them one
oh the willow they are talking about do they mean the weeping willow one or is there a diff kind of willow? I have 2 black thumbs and don't know much about plants and trees and such

[tinabeana]

Maggie doesn't really chew on things by herself. I don't know if its because she's spoiled, or just doesn't see it, but she tended to only chew on things if i hold it for her. She has no interest in wood blocks, lava stones or ice unless I'm holding it.

I also occasionally wonder about her sense of smell or sight. I haven't read anything about how good chinchilla sight is. I guess I assumed because she is a rodent she had less then sharp eyesight but keen smell. However she doesn't seem to realize I have a raisin unless I hold it close in front of her face, and if I move it away even a couple inches she rarely follows it. I know its not that she loses interest because she will wrestle me for a raisin.

[Summer]

;)Hi mine love the apple tree I bought them. I just go out and get one.

[FluffBall]

mine do too the bark is almost gone from it and they love to climb on it too 

does anyone know about willow wood?
if it is the weeping willow tree or something else cause I don't want to give them something I thought was ok and is actually not
if there is a wood just called willow or it is short for weeping willow?

[FluffBall]

hey you might want to try ice cubes I jsut found out that my chins love them
It may help if your chins teeth are tender or sore 

[Summer]

  My chins love the ice too.

[FluffBall]

Jo Ann I just got a cuttle bone for my chins and well they LOVE ITthey hate tums I guess I am lucky to have chins that only like the things that are good for them and not the things that are not so good for them

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Of course I left without one again.  Still can't get passed it.

 
What's up with that Joyce??? You haven't got to eat it and the chins love them.

I break them up into paw size piece so they can do the snatch and run.

I do believe they are made from fish bones though aren't they guys??
I'm still giggling Joyce, sorry.
I'm trying a liquid calcium as we speak. 95% of them will take it right out of the dropper.
After I tried several other ways to sneak it on them, they loved it.
That soy shake that was mentioned on another thread by Lori would be another.
Check at you local health food store, they are a wealth of information.
Tums, alfalfa, calcium chewable tablets or reg, chew stones from the pet shop. Hartz has a great small animal mineral block with calcium.