Microwave Dried Hibiscus Flowers

Living in Hawaii, I have an abundance of Hibiscus flowers on my property. I'd like to use them as treats if my chins have an appetite for them. Does someone have a prepping and drying technique using the microwave? I want to make sure I don't burn the flowers and try to preserve much of its vitamins.

Cage Occupants

I have a two story Critter Nation cage with two chins. Assuming I get future chins and they all get along in the cage, How many adult chins, excluding kits, can comfortably live in a two story Critter Nation cage?

Hello from a long absent member

Hello,

Just logged in for the first time since 2016! I was a very active member back between 2009-2014, but life has changed so much and I just don’t spend a lot of time on the internet. Any old timers still around?!?

In my former CnH Days I was a college/grad school student and mom to several chinnies. They’ve mostly passed away from various natural causes, but my sweet Latte is a spry almost 8-year-old (late January), who has seen me through many life changes. Started my career, got married, moved across country... the list goes on. Anyway glad to be back, going to try to stay fairly active. Cheers & Happy New Years!

-Brittany & Latte

Goldbar kits

Just out of curiosity, if a litter of kits are born Goldbar, what mutation are the parents normally?

Goldbar kits

Just out of curiosity, if a litter of kits are born Goldbar, what mutation are the parents normally?

PVC material

Is bare (not covered in fleece) PVC safe around chinchillas knowing their propensity to chew everything? I'd want to to use a big 6 " diameter PVC elbow or straight pipe as a loft for my chins. Any advice?

Hi! new to chinchillas just a couple questions.

Hi there I just recently got my chinchilla and took him to the vet his name's puff(weird name for a male I know:hilarious: but anyway I had taken him to the vet and he has a parasite. I'm in the process if treating as of today. I've noticed that as I burrito him(which is already difficult) he begins to shake and become quite stressed. He tends to sleep outside his hide and balls up on top of his hide alot is this normal? Also I have a new cage as the one given o me is kind of small for him is the stress of medication a new home and a new cage too much? Idk if I should wait till the medications been done to move him? Sorry this is so long but.i love this little guy to pieces and want to do right by him so he can have the best quality of life possible:)

New Chin Dad

Hello everyone! New dad to my two girls, Pip and Squeak. Living in Hawaii has its challenges especially when regulating my chins' living space for temperature and humidity. Looking forward to chatting with everyone and getting feedback/input. Have a Happy New Year!!!

Jumping out of the cage

Hi guys I'm new here and a new chin owner.

I got a 4 month-old mosaic male chin about 2 weeks ago. His name is Kumo, which means "cloud" in Japanese. I think we bonded quite well these 2 weeks. He let me scratch him on the head and neck. I kind of trained him to go to the spots I tapped. He sometimes sleeps on his side, which I read on this forum that it means trusting.

I placed Kumo on the top level of the 2-story cage because the breeder said he is still young so having one level for now can prevent him from over-exercising. Also it's easier for me to check on him as I'm only 4' 11". Whenever I open the cage to clean it or just put my hands in the cage, I would use my body to block the opening just to keep him in the cage. But he would always try to find any gap to squeeze in, trying to get out of the cage.

Just not too long ago when I opened the cage to clean it, Kumo tried to jump off of the cage. Knowing that he may break his legs if he really did jump off, I used my forearm to push him back into the cage. After that he made about 10 medium-pitched squeaks within 10 minutes. I know that bond we built is now broken as he stayed in his hideout then.

Anyone with chins that like to jump out of the cage (from the upper level)? How can I stop him from doing that for now? I really don't want him to hurt himself

Chinchilla got WET

I just came home from college and my chinchilla with a history of teeth issues is entirely soaked under her chin. My mom seemed unconcerned with this and said it has been going on a couple says and that she didn't think it was important to me because I was "coming home in a couple days anyway."

My vet isn't open until Monday, and the fur appears to be partially matted and a mix between freshly wet and dried.

I have a blow drier and a towel, but can I cut it? What can I do to ease the issue before Monday?

Tips for DIY Cages? -- Use of Plywood in Exterior

Hi! I made an account on here just for this purpose, ahaha. I'm preparing for my chinchilla (which I'm picking up on Saturday) and plan on building my own cage. I've done plenty of research but I'm on a tighter budget than what a lot of DIY tutorials suggest.
To cut a long story short I was thinking of using plywood for the outer shell of the cage. I've read in most places that the glue in plywood is unsafe but since I'm simply using it for the exterior I figured it might be okay? For the record I won't be using plywood for the shelving or anything like that. I'm a first time chinchilla owner so I'd love for one of you more adept chin-parents to help me out. Thanks so much in advance!

-- Shania

Flying with my Chinchilla

Hey All,

I currently live in California and my chinchilla has been living in Illinois with my parents. I am looking to fly her back to California with me. I miss her tons and want home to have her with me ASAP!!!

Does any know what the restrictions are on flying with a chinchilla and the best airlines to fly with? Can I carry her on the plane with me?

Any help is extremely appreciated!!!!!!!!!

Thank you

Bath house

I am looking for a more contained bath than the fully open top one we have. When Chico & Chino roll in, they splash sand all over (especially with the tail). I saw this picture on Pintrest featuring an Ikea jar, like in this picture: https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e0/4d/00/e...4b446dce98.jpg
Does anyone here have experience with this jar? I am concerned it will be too small for fully grown chinchillas, especially when the two of them will certainly try taking a bath together. What's your opinion about this jar?
Thanks!

Need Help with Soecial needs Chin

Hello!

I recently adopted a second chinchilla, and it turns out he was very stressed and has some issues I’m trying to work out. He does not chew his fur but he chews his tail fur, it’s growing back and I’ve only seen him do it once since being here - that was right when he got here.

He is a HAM! He loves his chin to be scratched, always comes up to us, but he does not like to be held or picked up at all. He is 3, and I let him out twice a day for an hour (alone, keeping my chins separate forever, don’t want babies or think he should be caged with another chin at all or have babies at all, he needs healing).

But when he is out he is so active, running like a mad chin, loves coming up to get head scratches and treats. He even climbs up on us the odd time. When I got him they tried to tell me chins get most water from fruits and veggies and only dust bath once a week. Now I never give Madison any fresh fruit or veggies, I was under the impression it is to watery for them. He is eating and drinking fine, I really think he will make a speedy recovery!

But I do need help, Madison is so loving and let me handle and pick her up since day one, but no luck with Giz! Last night I got very concerned about this because my boyfriend went to go put him back and gizmo lost a lot of fur. When I put him back he is in his litter box so it’s easy to put him back, but I really need help with how to get him back in the cage without getting terrified and losing fur if we try to pick him up. He just let us start petting his back inside his cage earlier this week which shows lots of trust growth. I just really need help with some methods on how to get him back after playtime and get him used to being picked up.

Question

I choose not to handle my chins, they absolutely do not like it and they tremble and panic when picked up so I choose to respect their feelings. We do have a lot of contact tho, I just don’t pick them up or pet their backs. Anyhow, I noticed both of their fur on their lower back above their tails is getting messy looking! Any suggestions on how to brush that fur without scaring them? If they won’t allow me to brush it, should I go ahead and pick them up and brush it (which will obviously stress them out), or should I just leave the fur alone? Any advice would be greatly appreciated:)


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Wooden Chew Christmas Tree

Hello all!

I am looking to replace a wooden Christmas (chin chewable) for a FN cage. Flexible on the size - wondering if anyone out there makes them?
Thanks! :)

Hello

Hello guys, I'm the newest member of this lovely community. Please welcome me. :)

Question

What are some store names and/or websites that sell organic non treated wood of the more exotic variety like pear, apple, willow, cholla, cottonwood, ocotillo, etc.? My chinchillas are super picky and don’t like almost anything I buy at the pet store, and the only items them like are crazy expensive and they go through them crazy fast.. so I need to start buying wood and making my own safe wood chews for them, BUT, I can’t find any store in my city that sells these kinds of wood, and I’m struggling to find websites that offer these kind of woods organically. I even went to Menard’s and had them look up every kind of popular (&safe) chin woods, and NOTHING, and they said they couldn’t order it for me cuz they don’t carry any of it period, not even online. So my research is coming to a dead end. But I KNOW I’ve seen people talk about the woods that their chins love... where do you guys get it from? ANY suggestions would be a HUGE HELP! Please and thank you!


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Hello from Nimbus, and looking for some advice?

Hello, everyone!

I'm not sure how active this forum is, but I'm here to give it a shot!

I have one rescue chinny right now, his name is Nimbus, and he's my first chin! He is 3 years old, and seeming to be healthy. He's about 650g and eating healthily, good teeth, (I have him on Oxbow chinchilla food ((approx. 2-3tsp a day)) and timothy hay ((as much as he wants)).) He doesn't appear underweight or scrawny, but I can feel his backbone and ribs. Thoughts?

He's very skittish, and doesn't like to be grabbed in the cage, but if I lure him into his carrier (a small cat carrier), he actually likes cuddles, and will tolerate combing. In the cage he likes chin scratches, but if I touch the top of his head or anything behind his shoulders he spooks and barks and runs away. He's also terrified of fast movements and noises he can't see the source of. Advice?

Also, I don't know much of his history... I got him from a lady who rescued him from someone else, and Nimbus had had an incident of fur slip on both hips before she got him. She had had him for several months after that before I rescued him, and other than a tiny layer of dark grey fuzz, it hasn't grown back. I don't believe he chews it, but I couldn't say for sure. Thoughts?

I intend to get Nimbus a brother from a good breeder when I have the money. I think a more laid back chin would be a good fit for him. If everything goes wrong though, I can just separate the double ferret nation I have, and close off the opening. Unfortunately I inherited an old 142 with clanky, warped trays and panels and screws that i doubt would survive another take apart.

Tysm for reading! Have a good day! ;)

Just rescued this poor baby

Hi, so i dont usually post on forums but this is new to me.
A little background, I have owned 2 chins in the past, but neither of them ever got sick or matted so im new to the whole health and hygiene issues.
I rescued this 1 year old female chin on Monday from a girl that was selling a "cage" online and told me when i went to pick it up that shes giving me the chin too.... ohkayyy i thought no big deal, i go see her and one of her eyes had a hugeee red bump near it (near the tearduct) her eye was completely crusted shut and her ears are dry and peeling, as well as her feet her fur is terribly matted and this girl refused to bring her to the vet or anything.
I decide okay fine ill see if i can help this baby, scoop her up and the lady gave me the chin and everything for free so I took her straight to the vet, vet didnt say what it could be but we settled with antibiotic injections 1x a day for 10 days.
We got her eye cleaned up and by nighttime it was crusted shut again. I dont want to stress this poor baby out too much by cleaning her eye 3x a day and trying to get her fur back to normal but I desprately want to see her move around normally (since practically her whole underside is matted and crusted with urine)

How can I go about getting these huge mats out? ive gotten most of the ones on the top out, but am really struggling with her whole underside and I dont want to ruin any chance of gaining her trust.
Is there anything I can put on her ears and feet to help with the dryness?

So sorry for the huge scrambled rant, I just still cant believe the shape she is in. She also seems really underweight, i can feel every rib and bone perfectly.. as if shes literally just skin, bones and fur.

Any advice is greatly appreciated, and ill post a couple pictures later.

Father Chinchilla and kit

Hi All,

I've browsed this forum a few times and decided to register. A slightly long post, but just a bit of background. I'm a sort of new chinchilla owner. I bought my first chinchilla - Kiyoshi - male in June, at 5 months old, he is a White Mosaic and then Amaya - female - In September, who I believe is a Hetero Ebony at 4 months old, at least this is what the owner I bought her from told me. She may have been 5 as well. Both are from the same owner, who mentioned that it would be fine keeping them together, and they would only breed if she is ready which I've read online many many articles are usually around 8 months.

Amaya recently gave birth to a single kit, both mother and kit are very healthy and active, 10 days old now and gaining weight. I've separated Kiyoshi and Amaya for the first week after she gave birth as suggested by many forum posts and articles I've read. I've reintroduced the two and they get along well during play time. Kiyoshi most likely mated again with her.

After introducing the two and getting along well I decided to introduce the kit, first play time went well, Kiyoshi was more interested in mounting Amaya but also seemed fine with the kit, he sniffed the kit and the kit even went to him.

Tonight, I've let them have some play time again for the second time, with all three running around, this time Amaya went off and the kit was running around, watching the interaction between Kiyoshi and the kit carefully, Kiyoshi seemed like he was grooming the kit but then kind of pulled it closer underneath him and what looked like being a little more aggressive in grooming, the kit made few noises and as soon as this happened I separated him from the kit. Put both of them down again and this happened again. Separated again. The kit is unharmed, as I was watching closely what Kiyoshi's behaviour is like around the kit.

My question is the following: given the behaviour, with the users on the forums experiences, do you think Kiyoshi will harm the kit?

My thoughts are to keep them separate until the kit is weaned and then put Kiyoshi and Amaya back together in the same cage.

Thanks for reading this long post, and hope to get few answers :)

Handling new chinchillas

Me and my wife recently got two 10 week old baby chinchilla males.

We have been trying to handle them everyday, and I was just looking for advice on how often to try to handle them. I don't want to stress them out but I also want them to get used to being handled. the more skittish one will bite me every now and then when he's stressed out but not hard enough to break the skin I think he's just telling me to put him down.

I had a mini Rex and every time they bite you you're supposed to eeep!! Real loud and they'll stop biting you. I was curious if something similar applied to chinchillas or not?

Any advice would be great thank you so much!!!

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DIY Q: Chew toys

I am so happy! Hubby had finally cut the piece of wood we had bought (<$2 for 8 feet, I think it was 1" by 2"). It was labeled at the store as spruce, which I figured is OK, and weirdly enough stamped as W-Pine (white pine?). It was also stamped KD-HT which I now know means Kiln Dry, Heat Treated. So, cut into several small geometric (stick-like, rectangle, triangle...).

Chico sniffed it suspiciously, nibbled and than grabbed it and carried to his hideout. He seemed happy and interested, but was willing to share with his brother until I gave them another piece.

However, they lost interest pretty quick. I am planning to buy cool aid tomorrow, as I have read somewhere that they like the flavor (and the color). From your experience, which flavor of cool aid is the best?

Thanks :-)

Honey question

When I was a proud chinchilla mom 15 years ago, I remember buying chinchilla treat sticks and as far as I remember they contained honey. A quick search to check my memory showed similar hoeny sticks exist on the market today, like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Forti-.../dp/B009ETMXQ2

Since I became chinchilla owner again not long ago, I started reading forums and posts again. I noted people now write that honey (even as flavoring or "glue" such as in "snak shak") is bad for chinchillas.
Is this based on research? Is it based on personal experience of breeders / owners? Both?

I an curious to learn more about this, as I remember how much my chinchillas loved their treat sticks 15 years ago. Can any of you help me find a reference to a research or a book (or a post) elaborating on this question?

Thanks!

Chinchilla Companion?

Hello!

I'm new to this forum but I had a bit of a long winded question I was hoping you could help me with.
So to start from the beginning I found my chinchilla. He ran across the rode and I almost hit him with my car (I live in Canada where chinchillas should NOT be outside). But long story short I was never able to find out why he was out on the streets and I ended up keeping him.
Fast forward 3 years I fear he may be lonely and was looking into getting him a companion.
Here are my questions,

1.Generally does this sound like a good idea? He is at least 3 years old (I think around 4 maybe 5) and because I have no idea where he came from I do not have any clue as to his socialization skills. He seems to have no fear what so ever and will go right nose to nose with my 60 pound dog and even try to catch his tail through the cage bars. Is he too old and been alone too long to try and introduce another Chinch?

2. What are the general rules for gender pairing? I am pretty sure he's a he (but after looking at sexing pictures I am not so sure.) he does not have a pronounced space between his anus and "junk" which makes me feel like female but he has a very long and pronounced penis looking thing so I can't really tell. Could anyone help me with that?
Do males get along with males? Will a female companion always end up in babies? If I find he is actually female are female partners easier to introduce?

3. Should I look for a Chinch around his age or get him a younger partner (baby?)

4. Am I just over reacting in assuming he's lonely and he's probably fine?

Thanks so much for reading and for helping! I got thrust into Chinchilla motherhood and did as much research as I could but I needed some help with this topic.

Heres a cute picture of him(her?)

Attached Files

IMG_5093.pdf (281.6 KB)

Friend for charlie

Debating on getting another chin to keep my current chin company. Charlie is around 5-6 years old. Is this a good idea?

Getting off CC/EFL

Hello,

I've read most of the posts in the archives about getting a chinchilla to transition from critical care back to pellets/hay but am still at a loss.

If my chinchilla will take a sliver of shredded wheat or other hard treat, do I assume he can eat on his own? and I can keep reducing the soft food mixes?

This week I am mixing up 1 teaspoon of EFL in the AM and late afternoon on a small plate. It's probably only 15ml of water added per feeding. I also give him a smaller amount later in the evening. He's not losing weight but he is holding out despite gradual reductions over the past week or two. He started drinking water out of a small bowl (finally!) once I started this.

Oddly enough, I bought a new type of pellets (Sherwood) 2 weeks ago and he went right for it immediately. Was the first pellet he ate in ~45 days. He was also nibbling on some hay a few nights but that all stopped after what I assumed was residual dental pain overnight. But who knows.

Do I need to just accept he's going to be hungry and let him lose some weight?

Thanks

Cage construction and size

Me and my wife were considering getting two baby chinchillas.

We had a mini Rex and I built a three-level huge hutch for him. I was considering building a 2 ft wide 3 foot long and 6 ft tall cage out of untreated kiln-dried pine.

I did some research and found that you can use canola oil and vinegar as a natural mixture to seal the wood. I was just curious if anyone had any suggestions or reasons this would not work. Actually any suggestions would be fine LOL.

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Hay

What brand of hay do you guys feed your Chinchilla?

I have been feeding my chinchilla timothy hay since I got him as a baby, but he won't eat any hay in the past 6 months. I have tried different types of hay from Oxbow but still no luck. He tends to just play with it and throw it around.

I have to take him to the vet about every 2-3 months to get medicine to help him pass because of his lack of fiber.
The vet also says he has dental disease that he gets treated when necessary.

Help!

Bonding

Hello!

Right now I have one chinchilla male. He is 1.5 years old and he is extremely sweet. I currently started a new job and tend to be a little bit busier than I use to be. I started to feel bad because I haven't spent as much time with him as I use to. I was thinking of getting another chinchilla for him to bond with but I'm not sure.

Is it best to get another male or get a female? My chinchilla is still intact.

He plays with me about a 30 minutes - 1 hour a day. I am about to move to an apartment and that will give him more time to run around freely for longer but I don't know if this is good enough.

Should I get another chinchilla?

dust bath

Will a dust bath take care of any urine on my chinchilla's fur or feet? If not, is there another way to clean urine?

Cage liner as a “poo guard”

Hey everyone, this is my first time actually posting on here so I hope it actually works! I saw on Chewy.com that they have a “Sheer Guard Bird Cage Skirt” and it says the material is nylon. I use fleece bedding for my chins, but you know how they make a mess anyway. I was wondering if I could get any opinions on if the bed skirt would be a good or bad idea. Any response is appreciated, thanks!

Greetings :-)

Hi there,

I used to have Chinchillas many years ago, before my kids were born. Had them for about 4 years. Regretfully, I had to re-home them as we were moving to Canada.

For many years after we moved to Canada, it was clear to me I should wait with the chinchillas, fearing the interaction with small kids will not be healthy for the chinchillas. Over the years we had guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, fish and an adopted gecko. Now that the youngest kids are old enough, I was lucky to buy (re-home) two brothers. Chicco is a standard gray, restless but very friendly. Chinno is beige, calm and cuddly. Thanks to their prior owner, they are not only potty-trained but trusting, curious and friendly. They are a year and a quarter old, seems healthy and energetic. And they came with a amazing cage that exactly fits in our living room.

The kids love Chicco & Chinno and play with them a lot. I have less time to interact with them but we play mornings and most evenings. They are adorable.

I was amazed to find out all the developments that happened in the last 15-20 years in the field of pet Chinchillas... I love the fleece bedding most of all.

We live in Port Moody, BC.

I am planning on making them lots of toys, have several questions to ask, will do so on a different thread.

Thanks in advance,

Ornit

My female is to the huge obvious pregnant

My female is pregnant. You are able to visually see kits rolling around and kicking. I was able to get a 3 minute video of all the action. I counted and today marks 110 days since with my male( did not know he was a Male, was told female) shes in a clean and kit safe cage. Vet on stand by just in case. So my question is. How much longer do you guys think she has?