Question:
I am beginning to see (not just on this forum) more and more people having the desire to breed chinchillas without putting much thought into it. I have to admit when I first started out owning chinchillas there is nothing I wanted more than babies. I was aware of the consequences but only wish I could have been more careful with my planning. As a result, I decided it was in my animal's best interest to put my breeding endeavors on hold.
I honestly don't think people realize how serious breeding is and it isn't just producing "cute", "adorable" and "precious" kits. Many people think it is as easy as pairing a male and female together and voila! Babies! A lot of thought should go into pairing two chinchillas of the opposite sex. What happens if the female is in dire need of medical attention? Or the kits? Do you have the money to get them the medical attention they need? Do you know the full background of the chinchilla's? What quality are the chinchillas? If you work, are you able to bring the kits with you so you can supplement?
It is important to remember when breeding any animal we are putting that animal's life at potential risk and the goal in breeding animals is to improve the species.


Answer:
Originally Posted by Denise
It is important to remember when breeding any animal we are putting that animal's life at potential risk and the goal in breeding animals is to improve the species.
I totally agree Denise. Lately I've seen so many crappy chins that it is disheartening. Just throwing two chins together just to try and get a baby (or any "popular" mutation) is just producing ugly, wedgy, badly-furred, weak animals. Sure, they may be "cute and adorable" to the owner, but where is the responsiblity for the animals' health and well-being? I wish more responsibility would be taken for this..


Answer:
Isle, well said. There is no denying chinnie babies are adorable but the true test is what quality they turn out to be when they get older. I also agree that too many people are breeding mute to mute without incorporating any high quality standards to their breeding programme. More often than not, I am seeing mutations for sale instead of good quality standards. It is a darn shame.


Answer:
I know that I am one of the people you may or may not be talking about re: my post about finding a female for a male I dont even have yet.. and even if you hadn't read my post I have something to say on this anyway.
I know that my financial situation made my adoption of keesha and ally fall through and though my family situation may seem wrong to some people on this board who have read several of my other posts but no one here truly knows me or can judge me by what they do know of me.
My life is my family, and my pets are my family, I spend several hours each day socializing, training and playing with my pets. I walk every morning with my kids and do not ignore my responsibilities. I also know when enough is enough.
I do not plan on breeding for ATLEAST a year.. if at all, as I understand the chances that when I get them my chins may not like each other or even get along. I am prepared to give them their own space and their own time.
As for myself when and if I were to breed my chins, I am three blocks from a veterinary hospital and I am a stay at home parent who will be doing correspondence college courses for ATLEAST another year.. if not a year and a half.
I know that you are not pointing any fingers and neither am I, I totally agree with everything you are saying.
Tawny


Answer:
Originally Posted by Denise
I also agree that too many people are breeding mute to mute without incorporating any high quality standards to their breeding programme. More often than not, I am seeing mutations for sale instead of good quality standards. It is a darn shame.
Well said Denise. I see this too. Standards are so important in a good herd. I see way too many people just trying to buy every chin without even knowing who they are going to pair that chin up with. It's exciting and fun and I understand that, but sometimes I think some people are just too eager to just buy as many as they can so they can get babies and their not learning. It's soooo important to learn first and start slow. Otherwise 2 years down the road you will find yourself replacing your herd.


Answer:
I agree! This is a serious business not something I just play around at. If people aren't breeding to improve the breed then they shouldn't be breeding at all. We have several chins that we started out with all purchased from breeders, that will never be bred they will remain as pets due to their lack of quality. It's not just throw two chins together and hope for the best, much research needs to be done, and good quality Standards need to form the basis of a good herd. Violets are a passion for me, but I won't be producing any until I am satisfied that I have chosen the perfect mate for each one and this will mean breeding good quality std vc's to the violets that I have. Start slow very good advice, and if you can't afford to buy the best that you can then breeding shouldn't be something you do.
Carleen


Answer:
Carleen, I commend you for that! Now that is a mature, serious, outlook to breeding.


Answer:
Thanks Denise, but I had to learn it like most of the other people here, and many of us learned the hard way. If we can save some of the newer breeder's the heartache and challenges that some of us have faced then that's a good thing. Those of you are just getting into it please don't feel that we're coming down hard on you, please take our advice and research and learn all you can first before stepping into breeding and find a good breeder to learn from if you can.
The animals wellbeing should be the utmost thing in our minds, not how much money can be made from their little lives. This is not a money making business, trust me, in fact it's cost me more money than I've made, but I do it for the love of the animal and hopefully to provide happy healthy little chinnies to brighten someone's life, and the best quality that I can provide.
carleen


Answer:
I would like to add, that you must be prepared to keep all your offspring. I find many people just assume that there will be buyers and finding homes will be easy. And while yes TECHNICALLY you could find a home for them all, finding a GOOD home is very difficult and quite daunting. If you can not afford to keep all you breed and provide a forever home for them, you should not breed.


Answer:
I agree with all of you, you all raise good points