Question:
I am getting two chins in september and i went shopping for them today for some of the thing they need. Is there a special kind of food? and toys? What do you feed and let your chins play with?


Answer:
really i need help


Answer:
Where are you located? If we know where you are, it would give us a better idea what brand of food, etc. you will have access too.


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i am located in MN


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accualy i am the girl that McCallie said is getting her two girl chins


Answer:
Welcome to POTN Sunshine

First, just because people are not answering within minutes, it doesn't mean that you won't get an answer. This is a bulletin board, not a chat room. If the people hanging around are not chin people then you may have to wait a bit until chin people come around to answer.

Second, it is rare for people to find appropriate chinchilla food in pet stores since the food sold there often contains much too many treats and low quality ingredients. Your best bet is to either buy from local feed stores or from an online vendor. Some of the better feeds out there include Oxbow, Mazuri, Kline and I think Traditions (someone correct me if I'm wrong) is another good choice.

As for toys, there is a variety of things you can use. Make sure whatever you buy includes a lot of things to chew one (pumice stone or wood are a favourite) Apple branches are also a fun toy and treat for most chins. Do a search on here or on the net for chinchilla safe wood and you will find lists of woods that are safe to offer your new pet.

A lot of chin owners also offer a running wheel, although you have to make sure it is at least 15" in diameter. spoke and wheel types aren't recommended either as chins can sometimes get hurt by them...same goes with sheels that are made of metal bars welded to a frame. Some of the better wheels out there include the Leo Braun wheel and the flying saucer wheel. I have a flying saucer myself and both chins would be seriously upset if I ever took it away from them.

What kind of cage did you get for your chins? It should be tall enough to contain ledge or platforms form them to hop on. these critters are very good little jumpers and need to have levels to play on in their habitat.

I know a few people who also grapevine object to their chins. these can be good but I often worry about th chin biting off a piece and leaving sharp edges. I know a lot of peole have no problems with them though. untreated wicker or seagrass baskets can also make a great toy.


Answer:
Ahhh, ok. Well, I am not sure what food she has her chins on, and in the U.S., there are different resources than Canada. If possible, I would find out from her what brand of pellets she feeds them, and try to keep them on that diet. Most people I think feed Mazuri still, and if you have a feed store near you, they will often carry it for you if you call and request it. Dust can be ordered online if you are looking for bluecloud, I believe lonestarchinchilla.com carries it, and if so, it wouldn't hurt to order pellets through them at the same time. Timothy hay can also be bought either online or by the bags at feed stores.
Shavings if needed, you will need pink, aspen, or something non toxic to chins, and they can be bought at most pet stores. Wheels are harder to find, and it all depends on what kind you want. We prefer the flying saucer wheels found here http://www.chin-chillas.com/ (and their chins are pretty good too ). As for toys, they can be bought online, or at pet stores. Mine love the grapevine wreaths bought at Michael's crafts, sometimes parrot toys are safe for chins. We buy the buckets of Jungle talk "toy box" beads http://www.jungletalk.com/prod01.htm and make our own toys, they are fruit flavored and the chins love them.
Also, you will need a sleep house for them, this can be made of wood (pine is safe), and a container for them to bathe in. I am probably forgetting tons of stuff, I am sure you know the basics (water bottle, food dish, etc.).


Answer:
LOL, we answered at the same time Sophie


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Well my cage is about 4' 8" tall and is 3'L and 2' W is that big enough? and it is 5 levels high. do you know McCallie? well if you do then i am getting my chins from her. she told me to go with Mazuri as for food and if i can try to get traditions cause that is wut she feeds her chins. sorry for poosting so much. i wont any more,thanks for the help.


Answer:
That sounds like a good size cage for two chins At that height though, I would make sure there is a solid floor seperating the cage in half. That way your chins can hop around on ledges and you don't have to worry about them falling form very high up if they miss a jump.