ChinsForLife
Well-known member
What questions should I ask my breeder when I pick my baby girl/boy up? It's my first chin! Really excited!! Can anyone help?
I'll give you the link to their website site and you can read their guarantee. .Most of the things I would think to ask would be before picked the breeder. Things like have they had any genetic issues in their lines? Things like malo, diabetes, or fur chewing. On average how long do chins they have bred live? (average lifespan for domestic chins is about 15-20 years) How long do they keep the kits after weaning? Ideally they should keep them at least a week or two just to make sure they are eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing ok. I would find out what kind of food they are feeding so you can get the same, but from your other post it sounds like you got that covered.
I know with covid restrictions it might not be possible but I would want to see the herd, or at least the parents, just to make sure it's not a breeding mill or other bad situation. If you can't see the parents I would at least ask the size, so you have some idea of what the kit's adult weight should be, chins can vary in size from about 400g to over 1,200g. Also ask how long they have been breeding and how many litters they have a year, females should not be bred more then twice a year, back to back litters is not healthy.
Maybe also ask about health guarantee they have, in case the chin gets sick soon after you get it. I would be wary if they don't stand by what the breed.
I'm picking her up at 2 months old. They feed mazuri pellets. I'm getting my food from my breeder. They are gonna let me see her parents. They have been breeding for about 25 years and it's the only animal they breed. They say they expect to have 45-60 babies this year. I will send you the link to their guarantee and their Facebook website so you can see their setup.Most of the things I would think to ask would be before picked the breeder. Things like have they had any genetic issues in their lines? Things like malo, diabetes, or fur chewing. On average how long do chins they have bred live? (average lifespan for domestic chins is about 15-20 years) How long do they keep the kits after weaning? Ideally they should keep them at least a week or two just to make sure they are eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing ok. I would find out what kind of food they are feeding so you can get the same, but from your other post it sounds like you got that covered.
I know with covid restrictions it might not be possible but I would want to see the herd, or at least the parents, just to make sure it's not a breeding mill or other bad situation. If you can't see the parents I would at least ask the size, so you have some idea of what the kit's adult weight should be, chins can vary in size from about 400g to over 1,200g. Also ask how long they have been breeding and how many litters they have a year, females should not be bred more then twice a year, back to back litters is not healthy.
Maybe also ask about health guarantee they have, in case the chin gets sick soon after you get it. I would be wary if they don't stand by what the breed.
I live about an hour and a half away but will drive there if there is an issue. Not a problem. But I'm worried about them not covering it. We always cover any puppies that become sick. (It has only happened once and we nursed it back to health) What should I do if they dont? What would you do? I can't tell by reading their guarantee. From what you read, do you think they would?
I'm not sure there is much you can do, that is why most of the questions I would have for the breeder, like "do you cover genetic issues or illness that are not the owners fault" are things I would ask before hand when choosing a breeder, since you already put a deposit down I think you just have to hope for the best.I live about an hour and a half away but will drive there if there is an issue. Not a problem. I'm worried about them not covering it. We always cover any puppies that become sick. (It has only happened once and we nursed it back to health) what should I do if they dont?
It really comes down to proper care and handling, as well as getting them from a good breeder. There are things like the genetic issues I've mentioned that simply buying from a responsible breeder should rule out. A lot of people get chins from pet stores so genetics are unknown.Are they hardy animals? Everyone keeps telling me they die easily! They are really worrying me!
I'm so sorry!! I totally understand! I guess I have been a little anxious. It's just stressful, everyone keeps telling me I'm gonna get her and she's gonna die because they are fragile...just really worried. If i tell anyone im worried then they just say "if you're worried then dont get one! Its gonna die anyway" Sorry again that I have been that way. Thanks for letting me know. I'll try not to do it anymore...I'm not sure there is much you can do, that is why most of the questions I would have for the breeder, like "do you cover genetic issues or illness that are not the owners fault" are things I would ask before hand when choosing a breeder, since you already put a deposit down I think you just have to hope for the best.
It really comes down to proper care and handling, as well as getting them from a good breeder. There are things like the genetic issues I've mentioned that simply buying from a responsible breeder should rule out. A lot of people get chins from pet stores so genetics are unknown.
Some other things are chins do have very thin bones, so if not picked up properly or handled roughly they can easily end up with a broken bone. Here is a chinchilla skeleton to give you an idea.
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So for example they are not good pets for young kids that don't understand not to squeeze, a rib can easily break and puncture the lung. If grabbed by the tail you can break the tail, the only safe way to grab them by the tail is at the very base where it meets the body.
On the same note of thin bones, a fall can easily hurt them as well, so you have to make sure that kits can't fall more then about 6" and adults no more then about 1' or they can end up seriously hurt. I do mean fall not a jump, like for example you can jump off a table and be fine, but if you fall off you could break your arm. When setting up the cage make sure things over lap to prevent falls very far.
Other hazards are things like improper diet, fruits are not safe they are too high in sugars which can lead to issue like seizures, blindness, diabetes, liver and kidney failure, obesity and tooth decay, they can also cause diarrhea and bloat. Vegetables are also not safe, they can be high in natural sugars as well and tend to be gassy, which can lead to bloat. Chins can't easily pass gas so gassy foods can actually kill them if not treated. Most seeds and nuts are also a no go since they are high in fats which chins are not able to deal with which can lead to obesity and fatty liver diseases. Being herbivores animal products are also not appropriate. Before you start thinking they can't have anything, here is a list of safe treats
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Chins also can't really be taught not to chew things, so it's up to you to make sure they don't have access to anything that they shouldn't. Things like paper bedding and pellet bedding can both cause gut blockages if eaten. As well as most cloth can cause injury or death if chewed, because of tangled strings. Chewing on treated wood, like baseboards, can be another common issue.
Things like tooth issues can be genetic, so a good breeder will solve that problem, but they can also be environmental. Things like injury or tooth decay can cause misalignment. All of a chin's teeth grow, incisors and the molars, so if the teeth don't line up properly they wont wear properly leading to tooth spurs and over grown teeth. Also since they are always growing chew sticks and chew toys are very important for wearing down the incisors, hay is important for wearing down the molars. Here is a list of safe wood,
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Ok please don't take thing wrong, but you seem to want answers right away, this forum is not as active as it use to be. I am happy to answer questions, but I do have a life away from the pc, lol. I try to hop on here several times a day, but I'm not here 24/7. If you noticed the list pics I've posted are from a chinchilla FB page Facebook Groups, there is also a Chins and Hedgies FB page Facebook Groups made by people on this forum that spend more time over on that social media platform. You might want to join those groups as well if you want answers faster, especially the Chinchilla Owners Group, it's very active and even has the Lone Star Chinchilla breeder you are getting your chin from as a member. I'm not trying to pass you off, I really do want this forum to stay open since it does have a lot of info, but you just seem to want answers faster, also since different people have different opinions it might be good to bounce questions off more then just here.
Oh another good place for new owner info is this YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/TheChinchillaNotebook/videos From what I've seen she seems to have good info.
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