I will only go briefly into breeding. Most people will not breed a female chinchilla until she is 8 month old because a female younger those 8month really isn't mature enough to be breed. However, female chins can breed from about 8 month of age so it's important to separate her from any males present ( including her father and brother ) until she is old enough.
Female cycle occurs every 28 to 35 day and usually lasts 4 to 7 days. This is when a female cant gwt pregnant. A chin gestation period is usually 111 day, so it actually will take quite a while for her to have babies. And they usually only have 1-3 babies, but there is a possibility of more. They will usually only have babies once or twice a year.
Once she does have babies, you should remove the male so they she goes not get bred again immediately. She will come into heat again almost immediately after giving birth. If you allow this happen, it's very hard on the female because her body has not had time to heal. Death and Miscarriage could also resuit.
Unlike other small baby animlas, chinchilla are up and walking around within minutes. They are born with their eyes open and with fur. They are about the side of a hamster when born. So if you know your chinchilla is pergnant, you must have a cage with very small wire "Mine is one centimeter width and height" to ensure that they stays in their cage. The only other option is buy another cage.
The male will not hurt the babies like most other species of animlas, so it's okay to put the father back after a few day to a week. He can then keeps Mom company and relieve some of her stress.
The mother will not really need you help in raising the babies, but you can touch them and handle them. This gets them used to being handled very young. You may want to get a good scale and weigh the babies everyday to make sure that they are gaining weight and getting the proper amount of mik from mom. |
