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1

New Births / Milk questions

« on: August 13, 2015, 02:55:37 AM »

 So finally Kiwi has given birth to two kits, names are still un determined. Born between 6pm to 10pm on August 10th they are healthy and running around, were nice and dry when found and everything seems to be going great.

 Im always worrying though of things that could go wrong that I might not catch. What are good ways aside from weighing the kits to know they are sufficiant on milk? And what are the usual normal behaviors of a kit? Id just like to know to set a baseline to keep on track with incase anything happens.

Also my vet. Said to just hay pellets and water for Kiwi's diet, but im reading a lot about calcium supplimentation even after birth?

2

Q & A / Good bonding tips

« on: June 20, 2015, 09:26:11 PM »

 Really am looking for some good bonding tips, something maybe other than letting them check me out via hand in the cage or talking to them, we are way passed that point. Is there anything to really further a good bonded chinchilla relationship?

3

Breeding 101 / Will they breed?

« on: June 15, 2015, 08:07:39 PM »

 So heres the low down, I've had two Chinchillas for quite some time now completely bonded. They have a huge Critter nation cage + add-on unit; pretty much they are spoiled and have a mansion. Plenty of free-roaming time as well. They're both about a year old and do not attempt to breed, though the male has made attempts in the passed she has told him off no violence was had and everything was fine, in fact she just kind of stood up barked and he left, never once has she sprayed him away. Anyway aside from all this, theres totally no mating attempts at all period anymore; Is this weird? are they going to try to mate again in the future?

 I'm fully prepared for them to have kits now, The Critter nation makes for a good cage to section off into two levels and I also have a smaller rabbit cage for any kind of weird seperation is needed, also have a second giant 7 foot home made walk in cage that is empty as well so space is not an issue.

 And to rule out any thoughts on her being pregnant is kind of out of the question Im inspecting the cage everyday incase of the seamen sack that falls out and checking for pregnancy signs on her.

4

Health / Lets discuss diets!

« on: January 05, 2015, 07:52:29 PM »

 So being a new owner and such I have decided to ask all of you what sort of diets do you have yours on! Any supplements? I'd love to hear how some of you more professionals treat your chins!

5

Cages / Critter Nation

« on: January 05, 2015, 07:48:09 PM »

 Hi all I've just ordered a Midwest Critter Nation double unit, I have a large homemade cage but for safety reasons I've decided to go with an all metal cage apparently according to the company specifically built for small animals. Much like the ferret nation model.. Well.. Actually its the same thing except the Critter compared to the Ferret has different sized hole spacing on the cage.

 Any thoughts or opinions on this model?

6

Breeding 101 / Behavior?

« on: January 02, 2015, 11:20:07 AM »

 So, recently I have sought out a female chin for my male in attempts to breed for the first time; but obviously before I just threw her in the cage with him there was the first week of introduction before trying to cage them together. First off the side by side cage method is what I had used, with my two similar sized cages bought from a local pet store they had equal everything to reduce to chance for taunting one and other. After gnawing on the cage bars, and jumping all over the place they had calmed down after a few days I had noticed both of them sitting side by side in their cages literally not moving for anything. I would put my hand in with a treat and they would take it and literally return to the spot they were in before eating it. Didn't even sleep or hide out in the igloos I had for them; Anyways I felt pretty confident with these two being together in the same cage. They had spent a night under mine and my wifes close observation in the home together (The cage was bigger both of the small ones they were in attached together.) Everything seemed fine, playtime went good too they really hit it off well.
 
 Now there seems to be some new behavior I am worried about; The female chin inside of the cage is always behind the male, he kind of blocks her inside the house for them, I make sure to hand feed them regularly (They have plenty of food in hay racks and food bowls) Just to make sure they are eating and he seems to kind of take her food away; Or when he feels like it gives her a straw of hay that I give to him. Is this normal? He seems super protective of her, what does this mean.

7

Cages / First cage build, opinions!

« on: January 02, 2015, 11:04:41 AM »

 Hi all, I just built my first cage for housing 2 young chins and the dimensions are L x 2' 1/4'' W x 2' 1/4'' H x 5' 1/2'' The side of the cage I created a door that locks via a normal standard gate lock, the door is big enough to be able to walk inside if needed.
It's got a 3' Extended roof so even on the top floor the chins still have room to jump. The cage is made completely out of untreated pine wood so the whole thing is safe to chew.
 Currently there are 4 Levels to the cage, ground floor a small perch, and 2 play areas. The Play areas are about 1' 1/2'' by 1' 1/2'' and the perch is probably about 1' by 6''. Some chew-safe pine wood bird toy ladders lead to each level I'm not totally sure if they can use the ladders I would personally prefer a ramp or two for them but I haven't figured out a good design just yet. Theres the basic food water and hide outs on both the ground floor and the top floor.

 Is this enough? What could I change? Ill try to get some pictures later on.