I got a few questions.

[Stacy]

I got a few fleece stuffed animal for a few of my chins. I am just wondering if the fleece will cause my male to get hair rings. I got them so he would leave my hand alone and he has but he give the stuffed animal a fit. 

I am also wondering if they can have branches off of a pecan tree? They all love the apple tree branches but I don't have any around here that ppl don't spray, and it is really starting to add up when ordering them. 

[null]

Unless the fuzz is coming off really easily it shouldn't cause hair rings. Pecan wood is safe for them to chew.

[chinchillagrl06]

Yep Pecan wood is okay! Mine love their hanging pecan wood toy.
Also with hair rings, remember that even males not in breeding can get hair rings! All males should be checked a minimum of once a month. I check my male ever other week. Just to be sure.

[Stacy]

Do i need to do anything to them or can I just take them off the tree and make sure there arn't any bugs?

[null]

Dry them out first, make sure there isn't any sap coming out of them.

[Jo Ann]

Well, you learn something new every day!  I had never heard of chinchillas being given pecan wood.  :-[ 

   Live and learn!

 
Jo Ann [/i]

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Me either, don't have them here.
I do offer mine many types for a change in chew, we refinish antiques. You should see the with a peice of walnut.
Expensive taste these chins have

[Jo Ann]

Be very careful of the woods you give them and what was on the wood.  I have always been told hard woods were not good for chinchillas.  Any cleaning/stripping chemicals used, can soak into the wood and will stay in the wood long after you think it should be gone.   Finishes would also tend to be dangerous for chins, painted wood is a  (you probably know this, but I'm just mentioning it for the new chin owners that may not know yet).  :-[

     I give my chins untreated seasoned pine, willow and apple woods ... mostly pine.  One thing very important ... make sure the wood you give your chin is from a tree that has NOT been sprayed.

 
Jo Ann

[Jo Ann]

Fleece-stuffed animals might be nice for cuddling, but remember, chins will chew/consume most anything ... even things that are not good for them. 

 
Jo Ann

[Debbie.nl.ca]

Yes Jo Ann,
Good point, most these trees don't even grow here.
We refinish and repair using new kiln dried specialty woods we ship in. Aways new wood, never any treatments what so ever.
It's a rare treat at the price we pay for it.
On the fleece, I use it as blankets, bonding pouches, and hammocks, for them as they never seem to bother chewing it. No strings like other fibers, it's just matted together.
But always be careful, and if you see them consuming stuff they shouldn't remove it .

[Jo Ann]

Hi Debbie,

    I guess it's not always good to have my mind-set, 'when in doubt, throw it out', I think I am to cautious at times.   :-[  That's just me.   

     Thanks for adding

if you see them consuming stuff they shouldn't, remove it . & Aways new wood, never any treatments what so ever.

   Some of the new comers to the chinchilla world might think, if it is OK for them to use it, it's OK if they let the chins chew on it, too. 

   
Jo Ann [/i]

[Stacy]

I did not give them the pecan. It just did not look that good so I will just stick with pine and a few apple.

The fleece stuffed animal worked great. He has left my hand alone. We sit and laugh at him with it tho. He must really think it is a female chin.  I got 1 for each of my chins and they all seem to really like them. They did kinda nip at them for the first few mins but sense then there has been no chewing. Thanks for all the advice.

[Leslie]

Can I ask where you bought the stuffed animals?  I have been looking for one that doesn't have any fluffy stuff on the outside or strings or things they can chew off and I have had no luck.

Any suggestions?

[Stacy]

I asked the lady I got mine from if I could post her email addy so other ppl could order. Her email addy is clancello@new.rr.com. She will try to make anything you need. Mine really like there little stuffed animals. Star drags hers around every where she goes. It is so cute.