How Non-Chin Mom Became A Chin Mom

[FearlessMagic]

Alright so my intro post said I was researching chinchillas and joined the forum for information. I've been browsing Craigslist at Chinchillas and getting a general idea of how often they are posted, what's a typical pricing, etc. After the start of my research I stumbled on an add that advertised a chinchilla that came with 'strawberry treats' I quickly replied to the ad and informed the young girl about the harm in the sugars in strawberry treats and we corresponded a few times back and forth. The girl wasn't very educated but found herself in a housing situation where it wasn't an option to keep her chin any longer. She had purchased this girl from a breeder with a huge stack of pedigree papers and dos and dont's etc. She wrote back in an e-mail that she had about three people interested but wanted to know if I was interested in her, she was willing to pretty much give me the chin should I say yes. I spoke to my husband and a few hours later we drove halfway and met with the girl and took in the chin. Luna is a standard very healthy and very friendly female who has been adapting well to the new environment. I've already ordered her a new cage (Critter Nation double unit) and purchased food to slowly wean her off the stuff she is on. I'll be looking into toys, hammocks, ledges and all that good stuff over the next few days.

Her plastic castle hasn't been a target for chewing yet and came with her, we will be replacing it with a wooden home as soon as we can. We live very far from any pet stores (over an hour drive each way) so we order pretty much everything online.

We've already disposed of her treats, bedding, and picked out the corn pieces in her food she didn't come with very much stuff so I don't want to stress her out too much by too much change too quickly.

 

[FearlessMagic]

Also wanted to note that my dog, Jasper, is more curious in her than she is in him. He jumps and gets startled every time she hops to a new ledge where as Luna doesn't even seem remotely interested by him.

 

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

She's a pretty girl. Glad she found a good home.

 

[mgonya]

Congratulations. She's a beautiful girl.

 

[FearlessMagic]

Thanks everyone. I'm anxious to get her cage all decked out and get rid of the plastic castle. I'm a stay at home mom and check on her often as I know about the risks of her plastic castle but she really hasn't' chewed on it yet.

Also I meant to ask, is it common for them to be less active at night and more active during the day? It's like she adapted to our family schedule as she is usually bouncing around active all day and when I check on her in the night she's sleeping. Just found it odd for a nocturnal critter.

 

[HolyBegeebers]

FearlessMagic, I live in a location where chinchilla supplies are laughable and purchase everything online for my babies. Phoebe was my first chin and I learned by a lot of trial and error, finding a trusted chin person who would answer my questions, and reading here as well.

Phoebe used to be very active during the day. When we found her cagemates, she has adjusted a bit and is now more active at night. Our chins usual start playing around 7 and go until the wee hours of the morning. Some mornings they have already crashed from their late night party by the time I get up.

Good luck with Luna and keep us updated! I'd love to see a pic of the new cage when it's all decked out.

 

[becky12883]

Chins aren't actually nocturnal, they are crepuscular. They are more active at dawn and dusk. Glad she has made her way to you! Good luck with everything, and make sure to ask any questions you have.

 

[Godofgods]

might wanna consider keeping the dog and chin away form each other. I would hate to see an accident happen.

 

[FearlessMagic]

My dog is actually scared of Luna and hasn't ventured near her cage at all since the first day we brought Luna home. Jasper, the Boston terrier, won't even pass her cage if she's moving around. It's quite the show but we do monitor them closely.