11 week old chinchilla care

[khaleesilou100]

Hi everyone

In a few weeks I will be taking home a male chinchilla who will be just under 12 weeks old. I have heard conflicting opinions on play outside the cage and also food. On one hand I have read that a chin of this age should not be allowed to play outside the cage for more than 10 minutes as they can tire themselves out or worse still overheat. Alternatively, I have chinchilla owning friends that have claimed it essential to allow them out of the cage otherwise they will become nervous of stepping outside the confines of the bars when older. Secondly I have heard strictly no treats until 4 months of age but was wondering if he could occasionally have some herbs added to his hay or a very small healthy treat? 

Would really appreciate some advice as I want to do the best possible for his health and wellbeing 

Thanks  

[moletteuk]

Hi, unfortunately we have very few chinchilla people on the forum these days, we do have a couple of people who may come along later, but if not, we can recommend this forum for more help www.chinformative.com/

I've never had chinchillas, but from my degu experience I would recommend you use common sense and always think things through for yourself and read from more than one source, in the degu world, husbandry has moved forward in the last 5yrs which leaves some conflicting out of date advice out there.

I can tell you that it is recommended to keep chinchillas in pairs or groups, and I assume it is much easier to get 2 from the same litter, rather than try to do introductions. I would think free range time might depend on your setup, some animals can get a bit overexcited or scared, they often feel more secure freeranging if they can make their own way between the play area and their cage. Things like 10 minute rules and 4 month old rules seem a bit odd to me.

I think the modern chin diet should be forage based, this is what their digestive systems are designed to eat, so things like herbs and a wide variety of safe plants and flowers should be in their every day diet, rather than treats. You may wish to do quite a bit of research on this, forward thinking chin forums should have more guidance on this for you.

[natnat899]

I would recommend having 2 chinchillas, I always believe it's better to keep them in pairs. I have posted another forum below as I don't know much about kits.

I have heard that kits shouldent be allowed out to play for a certain amount of time - I know it sounds strange, but some chinchillas don't know when to stop, and heat stoke is very serious with chinchillas.

www.chinformative.com

[khaleesilou100]

Thanks for the links and help guys! I have been in touch with the breeder and also some other breeders but again getting some conflicting advice on the play time but have decided to take things steady whilst he is so young! (so scared he will end up over heating himself)

He was born as a single kit and hasn't been bonded with any other chin except his mother so unfortunately I'm going to have to go down the introduction route but looking at purchasing another young male and employing the split cage introduction system

[natnat899]

Young chinchillas are usually easier to introduce, but chinformative has a wealth of information, so just look through

There is also this forum here, unfortunately it has been closed, but thre information is still there for reference.

www.chinchillaworld.com/forums/

[polly]

The general rule is don't let your chinchillas have playtime outside the cage until six months old, and then build it up slowly until twelve months old. All my chinchillas have been used to healthy treats from three months old. Apple leaf, healthy forage, mini shredded wheat and apple sticks are favourites. A pinch of chinchilla safe herbs a couple of times a week, as long as introduced slowly will in no way harm your chinchillas.