Oh Gosh!

[Mindy.Chin]

Hey guys,
I just bought my first ever chinchilla a little less then a month ago, and I just found out that she was housed with a boy for three months before I bought her. So, I am positive she is pregnant as she is showing symptoms, but the problem is that I don't know HOW pregnant she really is... So that is what this post is for

Lemme explain what she is doing:
She has noticeably gained more weight, and it looks like you can kind of see her babies kicking if you look close. She has elongated nipples that are very distinct. She doesn't stay on a certain part of the cage, but she just crouches and sleeps in corners (she has her feet tucked under her, and she is just curled up in a ball). She has been eating more hay, and I just noticed since last night she has almost doubled the amount of water she usually drinks.

I have to modify the cage to make it baby safe (I've done alot of research on kit cage setups), and I plan on doing that tomorrow. My question is, how far along do you think she is?

Any advice would be extremely helpful!

-Tonya

 

[chinchillasrox]

You need to get her into a baby safe cage soon. She seems to be very pregnate with these signs.

 

[addictedtochins]

I think you had better baby proof her cage today. Those lil buggers can and will escape hours after birth. And while they get out easily enough I don't know why but they will just stand there peeping wanting to get back in and will freeze to death in the meantime even though they can zip back in. Don't handle her unless you have too. If she is too stressed she may kill her kits.

 

[Mindy.Chin]

Okay, I went out and bought everything I need. What temperature should I keep the room at for when the kits are born? I made her a little hut-thingy she can hide in, and I threw some fleece in there too. I will continue to monitor her symptoms..

 

[Brittany]

Chinchillas have a 111 day gestation period. Mark your calendar for 111 from the day you got her. She could deliver anytime between now and then. Although it sounds like it will be sooner rather then later.

 

[Cuddlebug]

If you are actually seeing the kits move, you have, at most, 2 to 3 weeks before they arrive. Keep in mind it could also be as soon as today.

 

[addictedtochins]

What temperature should I keep the room at for when the kits are born?

Just the normal chin temps. 70 degrees is fine. No fan blowing on them. Keep us updated. Can you post pics of her cage and we can tell you if it's ok or if you should fix something

 

[Terbear24]

Yes if you post some pics after you have baby proofed we can make sure that you have covered everything. Also I would say I usually start seeing and feeling babies within the last 2 or 3 weeks. But unfortunately there is no definite answer for you!

 

[Mindy.Chin]

Okay, I will post pictures, It's almost done. I wrapped wire mesh around the cage that has smaller spacing and sanded down all the even slightly sharp edges, and laid down pieces of cardboard covered in bedding for a solid bottom, and I made her a little hiding house that she can have her babies in. Anything else you guys can think of?