Chinchilla Community Forums

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General Chat / How to Weigh Your Chinchilla

« on: January 21, 2015, 09:09:54 AM »

Hey everyone!

Just curious, how do you weigh your chinchillas? I have come up with a daily ritual of dusting (since I live in an area of relative humidity and all my chins love to dust/have no dry skin issues) and then weighing on a regular flat circular food scale. I have found that dusting them before somewhat disorients them and allows them to stay still for the few seconds that are needed to weigh!

I wrote a little piece about how I weigh my chins http://lychinchillas.com/2015/01/21/how-to-weigh-your-chinchilla/ - maybe it is of use to someone! I mean, there's definitely no huge secret to weighing, it's mostly about patience and practice. Some owners choose to buy curved platform scales, that help the chins be more confined and consider it easier to weigh. It probably is, but I've never used one!

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Q & A / Chinchilla Basics 101

« on: January 14, 2015, 09:10:41 AM »

Since I've started on social media with my chins, I have realized how many people have no idea what a chinchilla is, let alone any basic facts about them! I decided to create a simple post on my blog about the basics, for people to read and share with those that have the most basic chin questions.

What do you think? Does it cover all the bases? http://lychinchillas.com/2015/01/14/chinchilla-basics-101/

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General Chat / Bonding With Your Chinchilla

« on: December 31, 2014, 09:17:56 AM »

This week's post is all about: How to Bond with Your Chinchilla! Give it a read, and have a very Happy New Year!

http://lychinchillas.com/2014/12/31/how-to-bond-with-your-chinchilla/

As long as you:
- Set realistic goals
- Treat chinchillas like people (in that you understand they have personalities, are intelligent, can carry opinions and feel emotions)
- Take your time and stay positive

Then the main takeaway points are:
- Have a good introduction
- Develop a routine, including feeding, dusting, weighing, and cleaning
- Once ready, start including playtime into your weekly routine
- Keep showing your chinchillas love, and they'll come around!

Hope that your bonding continues into 2015! Cheers!

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Cages / Custom Built Chinchilla Cages

« on: December 17, 2014, 10:54:51 AM »

Hey everyone! Just wanted to reach out and see which of you have built your own cages for your babies - either from an armoire, wood, or other shelving unit that has been converted. My boyfriend and I have painstakingly built one last year and have been making more modifications on it lately.

I've found that having a custom-built wood-based cage makes it easy to make modifications at any point, new shelves and designs only take new pieces of kiln-dried pine and a few screws (and a few patient chinnies)!

You can find our custom cages here! They're constantly a work in progress, but we're very happy with what we've accomplished most recently.

http://lychinchillas.com/2014/12/17/custom-chinchilla-cages/

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General Chat / Chinchilla TLC: Toys, Love, and Care!

« on: December 10, 2014, 10:14:06 AM »

"As we know, the holiday season is in full swing! As we cross off Santa’s ever-expanding list for family and close friends, we turn to our chinnies for a sweet, longing gaze. I heard you, buddy. I know what you want. Let me grab my Santa hat, hop online, and get to ordering your holiday stocking stuffers. Who could say no to such sweet faces?"

We wrote this week's post all about toys - buying them, creating them, and modifying them! Take a look if you're able! To read the full blog post, visit us at http://lychinchillas.com/2014/12/10/chinchilla-tlc-toys-love-and-care/

What type of toys do you make for your babies during the holiday season? Anything special?

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General Chat / Chinchilla Holiday Cheer!

« on: December 03, 2014, 08:11:19 AM »

It's that fateful time of the year. The time when all the chinchilla world comes together for a seasonal celebration! It's the holidays!

Take a read on Holiday Cheer if you're in the mood to get festive! http://lychinchillas.com/2014/12/03/chinchilla-holiday-cheer/

Cheers! xo

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General Chat / Happy Chinchilla Thanksgiving!

« on: November 26, 2014, 11:10:18 AM »

After spending a lovely evening on Fifth Ave with my adorable sister, we sit down for a slice of cake and a spot of tea.. and then, we reflect on the chinchillas we are thankful for!

To read more about my Chinchilla Thanksgiving, visit http://lychinchillas.com/2014/11/26/chinchilla-thanksgiving/

Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

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General Chat / Tips for Chinchilla Playtime!

« on: November 19, 2014, 09:30:25 AM »

Hi all! I've wrote a big long post about chinchilla playtime basics!

I wanted to share my basic points with you!
* Get to know your fluffball
* Be present at playtime
* Set your boundaries
* Chin-proof the playroom
* Train
* Enjoy and take your time

The entire article can be found here:
http://lychinchillas.com/2014/11/19/tips-for-chinchilla-playtime/ if you'd like to delve in further

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General Chat / How-To Guide to Chinchilla Photography!

« on: November 15, 2014, 10:05:49 PM »

Hi all!

I know it's your relaxing weekend, but I've written a How-To Guide for Chinchilla Photography! Read my techniques for how to best capture your babies!

http://lychinchillas.com/2014/11/15/how-to-chinchilla-photography/

Then give it a shot and let me know how it goes

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General Chat / General Chin Diet - Blog Entry

« on: November 12, 2014, 03:54:14 PM »

Hey guys! I just updated my blog with an entry all about what I feed my chins. If you have a spare moment, feel free to read it - and to agree, or disagree with the points. http://lychinchillas.com/2014/11/12/the-ly-chinchillas-diet/

Thanks

Lisa

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Guestbook / Chinchilla Blog - Five Chins in NYC!

« on: November 11, 2014, 01:06:12 AM »

Hey all,

I have recently started a website/blog sharing my chinchilla owner experience with everyone, detailing my love story between me and my five chinnies! If you have a free moment, please give it a read. Would be much appreciated.

It can be found at http://www.lychinchillas.com

I'm looking forward to posting more and giving more insight about the "Haus of Maus" (my apartment). Hehe!

Thanks!

Lisa

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General Chat / Chinchillas Grooming Penises

« on: November 08, 2014, 09:54:28 PM »

Hi all,

I have a general question for everyone..

Would you feel like it's inappropriate to post a video of my chinchilla grooming his penis? I have been working on a video blog and website, and I'm not really sure. It's definitely a part of chin grooming and maintenance, and pretty rare for people to see regardless of being a chin owner or not, and is surely natural for chinchillas. However, I feel like most people viewing it would be very grossed out and squeamish.

I'm on the fence. Thoughts?

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General Chat / HAPPY HALLOWEEN! - READY FOR PARANORMAL CHINTIVITY? -

« on: October 30, 2014, 11:18:54 AM »

No worries, no one ever IS truly ready for the horror of PARANORMAL CHINTIVITY!

In advance of Halloween, one of my chins and I made a fun parody mockumentary for you to Enjoy!! http://youtu.be/vsZ6bibHwvM

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General Chat / There's a Cure for Ebola! And it's ALL Thanks to the Chins!

« on: October 26, 2014, 09:01:38 AM »

Can you believe there's a cure? And it's chinchilla-centric!

http://youtu.be/xzh8d8bG6gs

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Web site Reviews / Chinchilla as POKEMON?

« on: October 24, 2014, 10:45:17 AM »

Hi all

I have a video I'm very excited about - the Pokemon-inspired CHILLAMON QUEST! If you're free and have a moment, take a look - you won't be disappointed! http://youtu.be/r1JrF21fyX4

Full disclaimer I only allowed them to nibble on the dried apple while they were shooting (you never know, people are very sensitive with treats and chinchillas).

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!