Caring for a Baby Chinchilla 1

So, you’ve decided to breed your chinchillas’ or, perhaps you have become a chinchilla “parent” through no hand of your own; a male and female, housed together have produced these tiny, delightful little creatures, called Kits, on their own. Or, yet still, maybe you have decided to start out by obtaining a weaned kit from a breeder. In any event, there are a few basics that you will need to know.

In the following we will discuss the few special needs and characteristics of chinchilla kits: 

Pet chinchillas are normally born even-tempered. This is because the parents were good-natured and you or the breeder took two chinchillas with good temperament and allowed for them to breed. It is best to try and not disturb a chinchilla or her newly-born babies for a week or so after the birth; doing so could greatly distress the mother. You should give the new, little family at least a week of relatively “undisturbed” time; this is their bonding time, an important factor in promoting good, even temperment.

Although “hand-training” a kit is neither difficult or extensive, it does take some time and patience. Also, like most any youngster, the chinchilla kits will follow the lead of their parents. Due to this nurture and nature, they will become more easily handled and make wonderful companions.

The mother will carry the babies for about 111 days before giving birth. Being nocturnal animals, mothers will often go into “labor” during the night, giving birth in the early morning hours. A mother will deliver anywhere from one to about five kits; the average number being three.

The babies are born with all their hair, a full set of teeth and eyes wide open. As all development, with the exception of growth, occurs within the womb, they look just like a miniature version of the parents, weighing about one to three ounces.

Although they will be kept very close by the mother for the next several days, it’s not long before these inquisitive little creatures will start trying to exploring their surroundings, often much to the exasperation of their mother who will pull in one only to have it wander out again as she goes for the next.

Chinchilla babies need to stay with their mother for six to seven weeks until they are weaned. During this time the mother’s milk will be all that they need to keep them strong, healthy and growing.  After the kits have had time to adjust to their new surroundings and bond with their mother, you will want to start handling them. This will get them used to being touched and picked-up by not only you, but humans in general.

At first take them out together or with a parent as this will give them a sense of security. Then you can gradually, a bit more each day, start taking them out individually and for longer periods of time. The more time they spend out with you, the more they will become used to human contact. If you plan to sell the babies, practicing these slow and gentle “outings” on a regular basis will make for a friendly, well balanced and therefore more valuable pet.

A happy, well adjusted pet is all that more likely to have a happy and loving home.

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