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Post by daniel on Apr 18, 2003 6:45:58 GMT -5
This is another fact file for Chinchillas Name : Long-tailed Chinchilla Scientific Name : Chinchilla lanigeraWeight : 0.5-0.7kg Compatibility : Single-sex pairs usually compatible, especially if from the same litter or introduced together whilst still young. True breeding pairs can also be housed together. Introducing adult chinchillas should be introduced slowly to prevent fighting. Appeal : Lively, with a cuddly appearance complemented by velvety fur. Clean with no unpleasant odor with them. Diet : Require special pelletized food and good quality hay. Health Problems : problems surrounding digestive upsets are common in additional to dental issues. Breeding Tips : Take care when breeding new colors. Genetic problems can emerge with some pairings. Typical Litter Size : 1 - 4 young Pregnancy : about 111 days Weaning : About 56 days Lifespan : 10 - 15 years Hope you found this information useful  |
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Post by clover on Apr 18, 2003 16:34:22 GMT -5
Yes, pls note that adult chins really shld be introduced slowly to each other. I have a breeder friend who told me abt his unhappy experience. He had sold a female to this lady to pair with her male. She didn't intro slowly, just put the female in the guy's cage once she got home. She observed and said they didn't fight, so it seems ok. But that's just in the beginning when the female is still not so confident.
After a few days, she called and complained that they had started fighting and she didn't understand why coz in the beginning, they seemed to accept each other. Then my friend explained that she shld slowly intro them. He had actually already told her, but she thought it was too much bother.
Just want to stress that it's actually important and that if your chins don't fight initially, it doesn't mean they won't fight later on. It's really better to take things slowly. I've introduced chins before, normally using the partition method. I prefer that to using two cages, but it means work to modify the cage (here enters my bf, wahaha). Slowly introducing chins actually can be quite easy, and it shld take max 1 mth. But if the female is rather shy or defensive, it might take longer.
Also, pls note that there are really some chins who are confirmed spinsters/bachelors, and that no amount of introduction wld help. Some chin pet shops just directly intro the chin to each other, or let them bathe together. That is one of the things I do also, but not the only thing I do to intro them. Time is really helpful in letting them get used to each other. Just some advice.
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Post by clover on Apr 18, 2003 16:39:38 GMT -5
Breeding chinchillas, it's really good to check out their genetics on the internet. Coz chinchilla colours have a lethal factor involved when you breed certain colours to each other. It results in lesser offspring as not all the fertilized embryos can develope. Eg. White shld not be bred to white.
Such breeding practices really shld be avoided and left up to experts instead. There are pp who breed like this, to get the colour they want, but it can actually result in problems in the young too. Also, inbreeding chins is quite dangerous. They are more susceptible to inbreeding problems compared to other pets. I know of an instance in sg where it was quite serious. The mother chin had to be sterilised in the end, after her caesaerean. And the babies cldn't be saved. So pls don't inbreed chins, and read up alot on genetics, before you attempt to breed.
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Post by daniel on Apr 21, 2003 12:54:43 GMT -5
The same goes for breeding of any sort of pet... There are also genetics involved. And one should read up more about genetics before just breeding..  I know of some despicable breeders who inbreed on a perspective of improving lines  , but are actually attempting to have more off spring instead  . Sad but true ! ;D |
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