Question:
I'm looking into getting better quality chins, and have decided to try a ryerson breeding run. My dad says that he thinks I should let Female A and Male A have the run part and not put a collar on the females, while shut the hole to Female B. Then, when Female A gets pregnant, shut her hole and open the hole to female C.
Now, IMO, wouldn't the chins be safer w/ the collar on because lets say, Female A decides to start a fight with Male A. Male A then decides to get out of it and run into the next hole. Female A, not wearing a collar, continues to chase him- so basically, Female A can continue to chase Male A until she decides she's done.
But, Lets say the same thing happened, but with Female A wearing a collar. That gives Male A the space to get out of it, and keep away from Female A, because she couldn't get through the hole.

So, would it be safer having both female's holes open with the females wearing the collar (which was my plan) or should we just let 1 female and 1 male have the run +2 holes until Female A gets pregnant and then close her hole off and let female B out...


Answer:
Are the females together now? It's possible, that if the females know each other and get along that they can all live in the run peacefully without being collared. I was thinking of getting a two hole run and using it as a cage for a trio, since the females get along very well and just not collaring them and leaving all holes open.

I guess it's possible to do that, but whats the difference if the female is collared or not? Either way, she's only going to have one compartment. If the run is inside the cages(Not on the back), the females can easily fight through the runs if left uncollared and get into the run.

If they don't get alonged, I'd collar the females and let the male access each of them.


Answer:
Originally Posted by Megan
Are the females together now? It's possible, that if the females know each other and get along that they can all live in the run peacefully without being collared. I was thinking of getting a two hole run and using it as a cage for a trio, since the females get along very well and just not collaring them and leaving all holes open.

I guess it's possible to do that, but whats the difference if the female is collared or not? Either way, she's only going to have one compartment. If the run is inside the cages(Not on the back), the females can easily fight through the runs if left uncollared and get into the run.

If they don't get alonged, I'd collar the females and let the male access each of them.
No,we don't have the chins right now (we have 10 chins but want to get better quality ones) The run is along the back part of it- my plan was to have one female on each side and have the middle hole for when we have kits and need to put the male somewhere. If the female wasn't collared, she could go through the back (the run) and into her's and the male's compartment.

Thanks for your help/suggestions


Answer:
I think having them collared is better, if you've never bred them before. My biggest fear is that our female will attack our male and he won't be able to get away.

If you know the chinchillas really well, then you may not have to worry about aggressiveness between them, but if you have even the slightest doubts... well, it's better to be safe than sorry, in my mind.


Answer:
We haven't used runs before- but we have bred... Just like you said- I would rather be safe than sorry


Answer:
I would collar all females. This allows the male to escape an agressive female.

The whole purpose of a run is to have one male with as many females as necessary. I am not sure if a Ryerson run is a 3 or 4 hole. This means that it is meant to have one male to 3 or 4 collared females. This saves money on breeding males, and you can purchase one really good male as opposed to several lesser quality ones. When a female has kits, you can close the jumphole or move the mother and kits to a baby safe cage.

Breeding runs are designed by ranchers to maximize efficiency and kit production. I commend you on only breeding high quality animals. There really isn't a point in breeding low quality animals.

If you wish to let the females interact, it is considered colony breeding and the runs aren't your best option for that. You are better off with a different type of cage.


Answer:
If you are using the runs I highly suggest using the collars. If you don't, the female could chase the male up into the run, hunt him down and kill him. The collars protect the male and allow him "alone time". The same could happen if you left more then one female in there with no collars. I should also point out I know of alot more "Oops she got the cover off", then "Ooops, she got the collar off" insidenses. Relying on the cover is not recomended. If you want a colony, like Ilse said, use a different set up.


Answer:
If you only want two females in breeding, get the two hole runs. That way, each compartment is bigger for the females. A three hole run(atleast, this is what I was told) is the exact same size of the two hole, but instead of divided in half is divided into 3. THus, smaller compartments.


Answer:
Well I don't support the idea of runs....I think it is cruel and inhumane. That's just my opinion though...But wearing collars and being cuped up in a small "box" type cage I think it is just for people that have too many chins and have to not let the females have a good life and for people that think chins are there "awards" in life and the chins life is to sleep, eat, and breed. I just don't think it's right...I was going to try runs before and actually bought some, but never put them to work and just let the female and male run through the whole cage...I ended up trading the cages back to the guy for 2 standard chins. I lost $25 in the cage, but it was surely worth it. His chins are all to just breed, eat, and sleep. And you should see the way they get their food, they don't have a dish they have to pull it through this one feeder...The chins I got both flew on the floor when he got them out because they were scared to death and were a little over a year and never been held. When he got them the male was very skiddish, but I got him to get him out of there and I knew I could get him tame.-He now is, but still a little skiddish, but once you get him out he's good.-Then the female I grabbed her and she LATCHED onto my finger and would not let go for anything. I also got her anyways. Then when I brought her home I held her for about a 1/2 hour and she did not once try to bite me. Maybe she was scared of the guy...? I would have been too....The chins are now happily living at my home. I paired the female up with a PW male I had born here and the male is still single looking for that special female. lol. Sorry for such a long post and story.


Answer:
Originally Posted by Megan
If you only want two females in breeding, get the two hole runs. That way, each compartment is bigger for the females. A three hole run(atleast, this is what I was told) is the exact same size of the two hole, but instead of divided in half is divided into 3. THus, smaller compartments.
I would like to add, that while this would give the females more room; I believe the male should have his own compartment to chill in. Therefore 3 holes would be needed.