marinamayhem
Marina
Hi! I've owned my two MALE chinchillas for about a month. I'm not sure whether they're charcoal, hetero ebony, or standard. I apologize, I do not know much about chinchillas at all but I've always wanted to own one and learn about them. I received my two male chinchillas FREE through a friend of mine's Aunt that couldn't look after them anymore. I'm lucky that I was handed them free. But I do have a few starter questions seeing as I've had them for a month now and haven't really done much besides refill their water bottle and food bowl. Please answer my questions as best as you can and PLEASE keep in mind these things about me: I'm almost 17 (28th this month, woo!), I have no job at the moment because I am currently in the 11th grade and it is very hard to get a job in my small town when you're busy half the day with school, and I can't really get side jobs (helping family for some cash) because I am always at home helping my mom watch my three year old brother and 6 month old sister. Also, I can't get "babysitting money" from her because she currently has no job due to having a 6 month old girl. So with that being said, and I do apologize for rambling, but keep in mind that our budget is very limited and chinchilla supplies is not my mom's first thought to spend money on when we've got bills and other things. Here are my questions:
1. My chinchillas don't have a name! If you'd like to suggest some MALE names, that would be absolutely wonderful because I've been sitting here a month with no idea what to call them.
2. I've read about the FN and CN cages but they are way too expensive for my family to be buying at the moment. Can you suggest some decent sized cages that can hold two chinchillas within a $50-$100 mile range? The cage that was given to me is made out of wood and chicken wire. Do not ask me the type of wood, because I have no earthly idea. I'll attach an image of the cage.
3. I'm currently giving my chinchillas Timothy Hay. Is there a brand better than this or is this one fine? Also, is there a limit to how much hay to give them? I only give them one bowl per day, but the bowl isn't too big.
4. What is the best brand of food to buy for my chinchillas? I am currently giving them Kaytee's Fiestamix Chinchilla Food. They've only finished one complete bowl of it and I've noticed that they eat everything out of it besides the sunflower seeds and shells.
5. How often are dust baths given? I've read somewhere that you can do it 2 to 3 times a week but I'd just like to know everyone's opinion.
6. What are the best toys, or really anything, that I can buy for my chinchillas? Their bath house, wheel, and little house is both made out of plastic and I've read a lot of places that say it's bad for them, so I understand that. What are the best types of house/shelters and wheels to buy and best object to give them a dust bath in?
7. Is pine bedding okay for chinchillas? We started off with red cedar bedding which is what is currently at the bottom of their cage, but we've got a brand new bag of pine bedding for when I'm ready to clean out the cage. And speaking of cleaning out the cage, what's the best way to avoid getting bedding and poop all over my floor? I know it can be messy sometimes but is there really any way to keep them from knocking so much out of the cage?
8. If you've got anymore starter tips / points, that would be absolutely wonderful. I hope this isn't too overwhelming to read and answer.
1. My chinchillas don't have a name! If you'd like to suggest some MALE names, that would be absolutely wonderful because I've been sitting here a month with no idea what to call them.
2. I've read about the FN and CN cages but they are way too expensive for my family to be buying at the moment. Can you suggest some decent sized cages that can hold two chinchillas within a $50-$100 mile range? The cage that was given to me is made out of wood and chicken wire. Do not ask me the type of wood, because I have no earthly idea. I'll attach an image of the cage.
3. I'm currently giving my chinchillas Timothy Hay. Is there a brand better than this or is this one fine? Also, is there a limit to how much hay to give them? I only give them one bowl per day, but the bowl isn't too big.
4. What is the best brand of food to buy for my chinchillas? I am currently giving them Kaytee's Fiestamix Chinchilla Food. They've only finished one complete bowl of it and I've noticed that they eat everything out of it besides the sunflower seeds and shells.
5. How often are dust baths given? I've read somewhere that you can do it 2 to 3 times a week but I'd just like to know everyone's opinion.
6. What are the best toys, or really anything, that I can buy for my chinchillas? Their bath house, wheel, and little house is both made out of plastic and I've read a lot of places that say it's bad for them, so I understand that. What are the best types of house/shelters and wheels to buy and best object to give them a dust bath in?
7. Is pine bedding okay for chinchillas? We started off with red cedar bedding which is what is currently at the bottom of their cage, but we've got a brand new bag of pine bedding for when I'm ready to clean out the cage. And speaking of cleaning out the cage, what's the best way to avoid getting bedding and poop all over my floor? I know it can be messy sometimes but is there really any way to keep them from knocking so much out of the cage?
8. If you've got anymore starter tips / points, that would be absolutely wonderful. I hope this isn't too overwhelming to read and answer.