Greenwood Chinchillas

Information and Advice

Keeping chinchillas is a very easy task.  Though for a long time they have been classed as an exotic pet, their requirements and needs are very simply met,.  A simple feeding and cleaning routine can ensure a long lived healthy pet for you, which can provide a lot of long term fun and enjoyment.

 

Chinchillas generally live between 10 and 15 years long, but have been know to live up to as much as 20 in  a home environment.  They are not generally suited as pets for younger children as despite looking very fluffy and cuddly they do not in the main like to be man handled and pulled around.

 

Additionally they are generally nocturnal animals, being most active from early evening (6ish) until the small hours of the morning - they will sleep for a large portion of the day with periods of activity, so are best not kept in the main room of the house where it may be difficult for them to rest when required.

 

The information on this site has been written from personal experience, discussions with other breeders both in the UK and the US, and from chinchilla forums, as well as web and literature based research

 

All of the information provided here is believed to be  correct, however should you find any errors or additions please inform me so that changes can be made.

 

All health information is provided for your own use but SHOULD NOT be used in preference to medical advice or correct supervision.

 

 

General Information

So What Is A Chinchilla?

Basic Chinchilla Care Sheet

Chinchilla Vital Statistics

Sexing Chinchillas

Understanding Breeders Codes 

Breeders Code List & Designatory Year Codes

Buying Breeding Animals

Temperature & Humidity

Emergency Cooling Techniques

 

 

History

Chinchilla Timeline

When did mutations appear?

 

Food

Which Pellet?

Grass

 

Health

Common Medical Complaints

Eyes and Eye Care

Perfect Poops

Lying Down Chinchillas

Malocclussion: Teeth problems? & Spread of Malocclusion

Mastitis

 

Equipment & Housing

Daylight or covered cages?

Straw Toys

Sandbaths

Water Bottles

Watering Systems & Flushing

Cages

Chin Sheds

Air Conditioning Units

 

Breeding & Babies

Birthing & Birthing Video

Hand Rearing & Fostering

Reviving "Dead" Kits

Afterbirths and Hay

Breed backs

 

 

Colours & Genetics

Chinchilla Colour Identification Chart

Which Beige is my chin?

A Touch Of Velvet & Paw Spats

Dwarf Chinchillas

Which White?

White Pattern Development

 

 

Showing

2003/4 was the first year that we at Greenwood Chinchillas actually showed our chinchillas, however these documents have been put together from our experiences and information that people have provided us with

Show Criteria - General

Showing Black Velvets

Oxidised Fur:  A brown tinge over time

 

 

Coming soon:

Feeding: Hay & Treats

Cages Accessories

Toys

Relationships and Introductions

 

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