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Post by ntg on Nov 29, 2018 19:06:52 GMT
Polly, the only one who is getting aggressive with comments here is you. We are open to people giving opinions but when it's not backed up by scientific evidence you have to expect us to be dubious about these claims. Quite a few of us are trained scientists who are extremely skeptical about advice that goes against common sense with no basis other than anecdotal evidence.
As for people who are banned from the facebook groups, that's possibly because you get attacked if you so much as step out of line, it has nothing to do with our standards of care. Some of the things chinchilla people say goes against complete common sense, but god forbid you say you shouldn't put four adult chinchillas in a thickets cage or that diet could be improved from a bland offering of pellets and hay.
I'd be curious to see how often bloat occurs between animals fed with variety (after slow and careful introduction) vs those that are fed pellets and hay with the odd treat, because I'm horrified at the number of instances I've seen gas drops recommended in the short length of time I've been a chinchilla owner. I can count a couple of degu members in my 6+ years of degu ownership when gas drops have been necessary and that's when bloat has occurred from mouth breathing.
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Post by savvy on Nov 29, 2018 19:13:26 GMT
My personal knowledge comes from being trained in wildlife rescue, release and rehabilitation at a well known and well respected wildlife rescue centre. Although each species is different, there are some basic facts that remain the same for all. Good nutrition and adequate exercise are but two.
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Post by darthchinchi on Nov 29, 2018 19:40:02 GMT
The replies that I have just read are typical of the self opinionated and bombastic members of this forum. A breeder who allows her females to breed back. Members tenor have been banned from most of the FB forums for their comments. Self styled chinchilla experts who have never owned a chinchilla. This forum is the laughing stock of the internet chinchilla community. Be careful just who passes unnoticed through this forum and where the information given out is going. Who has ben banned from fb groups? Personally I avoid them, but have not ben banned from one single one of the ones I am a member of (I'm a member of a few scandinavian ones, a couple international, some english and american and an asian or two). Haven't been banned from chinchilla forums either, but have choosen to delete or not revisit when "facts" are stated that can not be backed. Like with genetic knowledge. It's absurd what people in the international community believe. But Every. Single. Time. you point out the flaws in the genetic understanding of the mutations, and back it with scientific evidence in form of the theory of how genetic work as a whole (even if you go down and argue on molecular level or consult experts in genetics. Actual experts who are hired by universities to explore the genetic understanding and teach people about genetics), you are shut down with your style of argumenting... And thats so sad, because you have no arguments at all. Nothing. You are only able to sit with your arms crossed like some pissed off toddler who don't get their way, and precent arguments along the line of "well you are an idiot and my mum can beat your mum". Seriously. Thats what you sound like. Do you have proof of ANY of your statements, other than "what is well known within the community"? If you do, PLEASE present them. Then we might learn something. But atm you are arguing about things that make the chinchilla sound like some sort of mutant organisme that doesn't work like any other organisme out there. As for breed backs, again this is NORMAL where i come from. I'm not saying it's the right thing for any other country out there. But I feed and keep my animals in a maner that doesn't kill them or cause them die early if they experience the occasional breed back, as I feel them being able to live as naturally as possible is far more important to the animals that me having to polish my ego in front of some self righteous chinchilla owner that doesn't ask but just takes in every "well known" opinion out there, no matter how insane it might sound, if you just stopped and thought about it for one second. Sorry I'm not able to sound as posh as you with the personale attacks... English is not my first language
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Post by winic1 on Nov 30, 2018 13:37:35 GMT
I speak from three degrees in the hard sciences, a BS in Biology, with minors in wildlife, genetics, chemistry, physics, and mathematics, a BS in Chemistry, and an MS in Cytogenetics and Genetics. I have work and field experience in biomes from seashore to 14,000 ft mountains, coast to coast across the US (that's 3,000 miles of woodlands, forests, plains, deserts, mountains); as well as laboratory work, classroom teaching, and field and industrial research employment.
I have kept 5 different small mammal/rodent species in generous, suitable, enriching environments over my years, as well as a number of cats (who live to average age of 19) and our current cats, dogs, and approximately 60 small birds. In addition, on my own time, interest, and enjoyment, I have been a avid hiker and naturalist, observing and photographing wildlife without disturbing their behavior, I have stood silent in the woods while a herd of deer slowly grazed their way past me, watched a mother skunk foraging while her four kits tumbled about from close enough to see their little noses wiggle, and watched a bear cross the dirt road 50 feet in front of me without even knowing I was there.
I belong to a number of forums and pages, as discussions of differing views and methodologies are great sources of information and education; and I have never been banned from any of them. In addition, I read extensively, because it interests me, and because expanding my knowledge is much more beneficial to me and my creatures than slamming doors on new information.
So I present my words on a subject from education, scientific training, observation, research, study, work experience and personal experience. As well as thoughtful evaluation and common sense.
Common sense says that if an animal who in the wild is known to parkour through mountainous terrain while avoiding predation and sustaining itself on the sparse but varied vegetation available, has become in captivity too frail to eat a natural style diet or run down a flat hallway, something is wrong with the method of captivity. And petulant name-calling attacks do not change that.
We can only hope that some of the information on this forum passes out into the world.
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