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1

North Central USA / Re: chinchilla needs new home

« on: July 07, 2009, 02:12:03 PM »

Too bad I don't live in MI anymore . I would have jumped at the chance. I can't think of anyone back there who would be interested either.

2

General Chat / Re: I am a GREAT GRANDMOTHER!!

« on: May 21, 2009, 09:03:36 PM »

Congatulations, she is beautiful!!!!

3

Q & A / Re: Would this be okay?

« on: May 21, 2009, 08:17:42 PM »

Thanks! I bought a house and a hay chute. I was keeping the rest till I heard back for "the experts"

4

Q & A / Re: Are mixed hay cubes enough??/

« on: May 18, 2009, 11:29:36 AM »

He eats both the hay cubes(do those need to be removed daily) and Timothy hay. how much hay should 1 chinchilla eat in a day?

5

Q & A / Re: Can Chins suddenly not like something in their cage?

« on: May 13, 2009, 05:09:32 PM »

   Chinchillas normally love enclosed dark places ... their natural habitat is in the crevices between the rocks of the Andes Mountains.  Usually, they feel more secure and comfortable in an enclosed area.  Something is definitely wrong.

My chin will not go into his "house" today. He starts to go in then backs away as if he is scared.

#1) I would inspect the hut and make sure it does not have a bad/unusual smell to it.  If you find nothing unusual, then you could probably mark that off the list of possible problems.
#2) What is it made of?  Wood?  Plastic?  Metal?
#3) If you see nothing and smell nothing ... my next guess would be that something/someone has scared/startled him while he was in his hut/house ... probably while sleeping ... to the point he is afraid it will happen again, if he goes back inside.    What could scare him?  Someone banging on the cage or hut (trying to get him to come out of it), especially if he was asleep at the time.  Loud noises.  The hut being picked-up and shaken. 

Have you had any company lately?   Company in our home are not allowed in the chins' rooms unless I am with them.  Food for thought...

As far as I know none of those things have happened. It's Pine and doesn't smell or look discolored.

6

Q & A / Re: Are mixed hay cubes enough??/

« on: May 13, 2009, 05:05:31 PM »

It's in the bag I bought it in and it's in my bedroom closet. I've had it for close to 6 moths though. (I only hay 1 chin and it a rather large bag. He's almost through it but I was wondering for the next bag.

7

Q & A / Re: Would this be okay?

« on: May 13, 2009, 11:06:59 AM »

The thing is I have a petsmart gift card and I'm trying to find a use for it. I only have a Chin as a pet and I WON"T buy the Chin food from there. I'm trying to figure out something safe for my chin that I can spend upto $50 on. It's a tough spot to be in I know

8

Q & A / Would this be okay?

« on: May 12, 2009, 02:55:40 PM »

Would this be an acceptable "house" for a chin?
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3074862&keepsr=0
Sorry for so many questions today

9

Q & A / Re: Are mixed hay cubes enough??/

« on: May 12, 2009, 02:26:13 PM »

Do you need to store hay in anything other than the bag you buy it in? How often should you replace the hay you buy (not in the cage) Does it ever go stale? Not moldy or smelly just stale? I just want to make sure I'm doing this right.
Thanks

  The alfalfa/Timothy mix (because it is a mix) is usually just fine to give your chins, even if the same type of hay is in their food.  The freshness of the loose and/or cubes have not gone through the processing the pellets go through.  The more the processing of any food, the more it looses in nutrients.   The loose and/or cubed hay give your chins the satisfaction of chewing and should be kept in their cage 24/7. 

Simple rules about hay:
(1)  Always remove any left-over hay after 24 hours and replace with fresh hay.  Don't try giving your chin to much hay at one time, but make sure he has constant access to his hay.  He likes that special attention each time you bring him his hay.   
(2)  Always remove any hay that gets wet from water or urine.  Hay will mold quickly and needs to be as fresh as possible.  Wet hay breeds bacteria!  Learn where your chin usually urinates ... place the hay at the other end of the cage.  Hay holders are great for keeping hay dry!
(3)  Always check hay just before giving it to your chin for any musty, moldy or sour smell.  If there is one ... dispose of it.
(4)  Look for any grayish spots on it ... this is usually the beginning of mold ... if you find any ... dispose of it.
(5)  Always try to get the freshest hay possible. 
(6)  Do NOT store hay in an air-tight container!  Hay needs to breath.
(7)  Always store hay in a cool dry area of your home.

   Jo Ann

10

Q & A / Can Chins suddenly not like something in their cage?

« on: May 12, 2009, 02:20:52 PM »

My chin will not go into his "house" today. He starts to go in then backs away as if he is scared. He hasn't ever done this before and I'm a little confused. Can they instantly dislike something? Do I need to get him another house?
Thanks

Also have you ever given your chins these
 http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753318#prodTab1
Are they safe for them? My children think he would enjoy them. I wasn't sure if loofah was safe for them or not.

11

Q & A / Re: can chins be loners?

« on: May 07, 2009, 01:20:06 PM »

He was3 1/2 when I received him. All I know about his past is that he was rescued by a ex-breeder who was getting rid of many of her chins. He couldn't be left alone with any other chin because he would fight with them. She didn't have the patience to deal with him so she offered him to me.

He, Frockamo, normally  stays in his "house" in his cage until about 6:30pm. I go over to him and talk to him, like a mother talks to a frighten child who needs to be coaxed out of hiding. I sit by his cage and just talk to him for a few minutes. I will take half a treat, not everyday, and put it in my hand then put it just outside his cage door. Most days he will come take it then run back in his cage.  I will put the gate up and try to get him to come out to get the other half of the treat. Sometimes he comes out grabs it and runs back in. Others he will stay out for a few minutes, but only if I'm not near him.
The second all lights are off in the house he goes crazy in his wheel but he won't even go in it when we are around.
Oh and he loves watching the TV at night.

He is in the livingroom so he is near me all the time, I'm a stay at home mom.

12

Q & A / can chins be loners?

« on: May 06, 2009, 06:23:41 PM »

I was told, when I rescued my chin, that he was a loner. He is mean to other chins and that's why he was given to me. I wonder though if he really is a loner. I thought chins were a social animal?
Is there a way to make him more social? He won't let me touch him. He won't come out of the cage except into a bigger "cage" (the round gate/fence type thing)
I've had him for more than a year and things haven't improved. Any advice on how help him get used to me?

13

Q & A / Re: going on vacation questions

« on: May 06, 2009, 05:45:40 PM »

That's kind of what I was thinking but my husband thought our chin might like to camp. I told him I would ask here.
Thanks for the info.

14

Q & A / Re: Can't find where chinchilla is peeing

« on: May 05, 2009, 05:01:34 PM »

my chin just knocked it over and started trying to chew the pan. What type of littler pan do you use?

15

Q & A / going on vacation questions

« on: May 05, 2009, 04:25:25 PM »

We recently moved and don't have a lot of people I trust to watch our chin. Is it ever a good idea to take a chin with you camping? Are there places that board chins?
Rhanks for the advice