Hobbyist's Corner

ILLNESSES: Common everyday illnesses that affect human beings, such as colds and constipation, can also affect chinchillas. The same medication that we use (in much smaller doses, of course) can be used for these animals. When giving the medication to your chinchilla, take an eye dropper with three drops of medication, and feed the chinchilla from the side of the animal's mouth. Follow this feeding by giving your chinchilla an equal amount of water with the same eyedropper. The brightness of a chinchilla's eyes reflect their health. "When their eyes are bright, everything's right."

BREEDING: Chinchillas are quiet, even-tempered, and can be handled safely by children; few animals are as friendly toward humans. The gestation period of the chinchilla is 111 days. The females can bear as many as three litters in one year, although two is more common. While litters are born during every month of the year, the heaviest littering times seem to be during the early spring and summer months. The average is two or three animals to a litter, but four is not uncommon. Litters of five or six are believed to have been the average when chinchillas roamed wild, and it is hoped that improved breeding methods and high nutritional standards will again make such numbers possible.

Chinchilla young are called "kits". Kits are usually born early in the morning. The shavings on the floor of the cage help them dry off and provide warmth and a feeling of security. They are born with their eyes open, a full set of teeth, and a complete coat of fur. Within a few hours after birth they are able to scamper around their cages, looking like miniature replicas of their parents. Kits weigh about one 11/2 ounces at birth, and are fully mature at 7 months. It is not unusual for a female to bear a litter on her first birthday. Chinchillas have been known to produce until more than 12 years of age, and live beyond 15 years.

During the cold weather, when a litter is about to take place, it is recommended that some heat be introduced in the nest box for comfort and to help dry the babies. By doing this you will find your mortality rate will decrease in the newborn, and they will thrive better. You can make your own heating element by taking a coffee tin or similar type can, putting an electric socket inside the can, and taping the can to a board. Make sure your extension cord is long enough so that it can reach a socket after you have placed it in the nest box. Only use a 45 watt bulb so that not too much heat is generated. Make sure that you leave about a 2 inch space between the top of the can and the bottom of the nest box.

About 30 days before giving birth, the nipples of the female become sensitive and turn a deep pink in color. At this time it is a good idea to start a program of supplementary feeding. Once each morning put two or three tablespoons of baby food, i.e., oatmeal mixed with powdered milk and lukewarm water (avoid mixed baby cereals) in a small tuna fish can, and put it in the nest box. This is in addition to their regular diet of pellets and fresh greens. Continue with the baby food until the kits are six to eight weeks old. Fresh greens are especially important at this time, since they help insure a better supply of the mother's milk.

If a female is late in lactation or have insufficient milk, her young must be foster fed. Use a mixture of one part condensed milk to one part water. Heat the mixture to body temperature and feed the young at least four times a day. Take the baby and lay it in the palm of your hand, and hold the head by placing your thumb and index finger along either side of its jaw bone. Using a plastic eyedropper, feed the milk slowly to the baby. One small dropper full will be sufficient. When the kit has had enough, it will push the dropper away with its feet. Make the last feeding at night.

SUMMARY: Get into the habit of speaking to your animals. They are reassured by the calmness and pleasant tone of your voice. With proper care and handling, your chinchillas will give you many years of pleasant companionship.

-Our thanks to the Chinchilla Breeders Co-Op

	Aquaria Information from