Fluff and Floss say hello.

[skardsen]

Video's a bit dark because I turned off the flash. They were feeling a bit more friendly last night, so I just filmed them for a bit. I've discovered they're more sociable at night, which is to be expected, really.




randomname There's a brief close up of a little pink nose and set of chin toes near the end.

[randomname]

awww freckly ears <3 I just wanna tickle them little hands! lol
They look really healthy & happy too. Floss does look a lot like my Dave did, but much more healthy & more beautiful.
I've decided that I'm not going to use my big cage for the degus, it needs too much modification for very little gains in space. Which means I've got a big cage for any chinchillas needing a good home... not that I'm looking...!! (although RSPCA has a couple of beautiful pairs London way!) This is ALL your fault! Totally blame you! My friend who runs a sanctuary is keeping her eyes open too... but I'm not looking..!

Try a scratch behind their ears - they can see your hands so might be easier than a chin scratch to start with. You know that sweet spot most cats have just behind the ear? That's exactly the place most chins like too

Edit - I won't struggle to name any chins I get - I'll call them both skardsen as it's all your fault!!

[skardsen]

Sometimes they can be really friendly like in the video, but other times want nothing to do with me. I think they're still adjusting to how things are now. If I remember correctly, I read that even small changes in their life can really upset them, and it takes quite a while for them to get used to things. Just a mater of patience, I think. Floss did cautiously walk up and down my arms a few times last night. Once that happened with the degus, it kind of got the ball rolling for them accepting that I'm looking after them, so fingers crossed. I'm just basically trying to let them do everything on their own terms, but I'm a little stumped on how to reward them because they don't respond to treats. Their previous owner gave me some little boxes of raisins; said they love them. They just turn their nose up at them though. Might try picking up some rosehips from Pets at Home next time I'm there.

I've tried scratches under the chin and behind the ear but no luck so far. Initially it seemed like Fluff liked the chin rubs but now she pushes my hand away with her paws. They both shake their heads if I so much as graze their ears, but it's still early days and I'll give it a try every now and then.

Last night I was woken up by Fluff barking. It's surprisingly loud! I have no idea why she was doing it but she didn't do it for very long. Sounded annoyed about something though.

I hope you do get some chins so we can get some proper chin activity on the forum and hopefully get other chin owners to drop by. Do you have any pics of those ones the RSPCA have?

[Emziedee]

I guess you both can have a good ol' chin wag 😉

[randomname]

I couldn't look for too long, they were hypnotising me. They're on the RSPCA find a pet search thingy on their website. Too far for me, but they'll find a home pretty quick I'd think. One was a pair like yours, a dark & a beige. I'd happily take any rescue or rehome, but not going to a breeder. There is a breeder in Yorkshire who is closing & wants to rehome what they have, they also take in rescues, but I'm really wary about it. Don't like supporting the "business" of pets in any way so might give them a miss. BUT I'M NOT LOOKING!!!!!!!! (lol, I may be keeping my eyes open, but I'm not looking)


I'm more concerned with getting BB & the babies sorted & in a decent set up before I even think about a chin - but if one comes up I am ready..... literally the only thing I'd need is a bag of chin food, have everything else.

Just remembered something else - when Dave was here, we had 4 of the 5 degus still. When Dave would bark & the degus shout back, we called them Dave & the Degus & suspected they may have been forming a '50s style do wop band! Or trading insults. ("Your mother was a hamster & your father smells of elderberries" ?!!)

[skardsen]

I think I came across the breeders you're talking about. I was going to consider asking them if they needed any to be rehomed, but then I got the lucky break with Fluff and Floss, as they were in Sunderland and only cost me £40. Plus the previous owner gave me lots of stuff like their food, hammock, dust bath, rope etc.

The degus often talk in their sleep, so I have to wonder if there was some squeaking going on and she was barking back at them. Their bark is kinda silly sounding, they don't really look like they can make that kind of noise.

[Emziedee]

Degus do seem to talk in their sleep don't they! I hope they don't have nightmares

[skardsen]

Mine talk in their sleep pretty much every night. You can tell when it's a nice dream or a nightmare, as the nightmares send them into a much faster set of panicked squeaks. I think the other squeaks are them dreaming about grooming sessions and generally playing.