Chinchillas
Chinchillas have thick fur, and with SG's humid, its best if owners can provide 24/7 aircon. Fan can be used as well, under cooling areas.
Chinchillas are not cuddling animals, and not all likes to be carried by us; not all are born tame.
They can appear so loving in the pet stores, however they do react differently to different peoeple.
The relationship with you and the chin will hv to depend on yrself, and how you interact with them.
With differetn moods and personality, no two chins are the same (applies to hammies too)
Cooling Plates
Cooling plates can be found at most pet stores which caters for chins/bunnies. I've bought mine at SGD 20, quite big.
Some said marble will fare alot better, because of its coolness and the duration before the "cooling" goes off.
Marbles can be place in the frigde then given to chins.
Ceramic Hiding House can also be use.
Toys
Chinchilla nids toys to relief of their boredom being in their cage.
Multiple platforms for them to jump about is ideal. Little Hamocks for them, hanging, wud also be good.
Thus taller cages will be more suitable for them.
Cage
Cage wise, the bigger the better however, take note of the large gaps in between the wires. You don't want their feet to get caught.
Like hammies, they cannot be under the sun. Somewer cooling to place the cage wud be good, or will risk heatstroke.
Holding/Carrying
Wash yr hands first before attempting to carry one, to lessen the food odours, and bacteria that might come in contact.
Hold the Chin firmly, and make sure to secure their hind legs (no dangling). This will calm the Chins too.
DO NOT hold yr Chin too tightly as their bone structure are fragile thus breaking off easily.
Adult VS Baby
People will usually buy a baby chin 'cos its cute, and will be more familiar towards the owner.
Acutally, young adults are better for those who are starting out as they knw more abt "survival", and their "nature" is already established.
I will feel more secure with an young adult than a baby.
But then again, its personal preference.
Pairing
- Gal and Gal
- Boy and Boy
- Boy and Gal
All above are possible, as chins are social creatures and tends to fare well in pairs. But if yr chin is living alone for quite sometime, introducing to another chin might hv alittle problem.
Place both cages side by side, to let the two chins knw each other's smell.
When you feel that they are ready, place them together in a neutral place; keep an eye on them if any fights occur, separate them.
DO NOT place the chin into the cage of another chin, as chins are territorial, and might injure the other "intrudin" chin.
Rabbits - NDs
Feeds
Hay
Hay is an excellent source of fiber, and the most important in any bunny's diet. The bunny's digestive system depends on the large amount of indigestible hay-fiber
to obtain and maintain optimal digestion.
Fiber:
[1] Protects against gastro-intestial stasis
[2] Prevents constipation caused by accumulation of fur in the intestines
[3] Adds moisture and volume to feces
[4] Prevents enterotoxaemia
[5] Provides a healthy bacterial balance in the cecum
Too little fiber in the bunny's diet cud cause serious problems
Note tat hay cannot contain too much dust as it will affect the bunny's respiratory system.
Direct sunlite may ruin the important vitamins and minerals in the hay.
Recommended: Rolled Oats which contains high fiber content. Its good for bunny's fur as well.
Be sure not to get Quick Oats as they are no good becausethey are made to absorb water quickly (so they cook quickly) and will swell inside of your rabbits stomach and might possibly cause a blockage or induce bloat.
This causes the tummy to expand and exerts pressure on all the other organs.
Vegetables
Veges contain nutrients and the high water content helps hydrate the intestinal content and further improve disgestion.
Start slow and carefully, note tat feeding too much vege can led yr bunny to soft stools, diarrhoea or stasis. Start with a small piece and wait for at least 24 hrs. If no
stools, a larger piece cud be offered. Take note of their droppings: if is soft, stop giving and try again some other time.
Babies hv a sensitive disgestive intact and are prone to develop diarrhoea if their diet is changed. Introduce veges at around 3~4 months of age.
Adult bunnies shud be offered 3~6 different types of veges everyday. At least one of the veges must contain Vitamin A:
[1] beet tops
[2] broccoli
[3] carrot top
[4] dandelion leaves
[5] endive
[6] cress
[7] chicory
Veges:
[1] Alfalfa (fresh)
[2] Asparagus
[3] Beets and tops
[4] Carrots and tops - the toots shud be limited 'cos of high sugar ocntent
[5] Celery
[6] Endive
[7] Garden Pea Pods
[8] Lettuce
[9] Parsley Root
[10] Peppers
[11] Pumpkin
[12] Radish and tops
[13] Spinach
[14] Tomato - shud be limited cos of high sugar and oxalate content
[15] Wheat Grass
Lettuce shud be either dark green or red but lite green (iceberg) can cause diarrhoea in some bunnies.
Cucumber and iceberg contain almost no nutrients and some bunnies can experience digestive problems.
Too much cabbage can cause digestive problems.
Veges - limited amount:
[1] Broccoli
[2] Bok Choy
[3] Cauliflowr
[4] Endive
[5] Turnip and Tops
Herbs
Can be used as treats.
Herbs:
[1] Basil
[2] Caraway
[3] Clover
[4] Comfrey
[5] Dandelion
[6] Garden Cress
[7] Lavender
[8] Lemon balm
[9] Parsley
[10] Peppermint
[11] Rosemary
[12] Sage
[13] Thyme
Fruits/Berries
A piece of fruit or berry is often a good treat for bunnies, but in limited amounts 'cos its not too healthy for them, cause digestion problems and obesity. Aviod refined sugar.
List of Fruits/Berries:
[1] Apple - no seeds
[2] Banana
[3] Blackberry
[4] Blueberry
[5] Grapes
[6] Mango
[7] Melon
[8] Orange
[9] Papaya
[10] Peach
[11] Pear- no seeds
[12] Pineapple
[13] Raspberry
[14] Strawberry
Fresh pineapple and papaya is said to contain enzymes tat helps break down food particles and mucus tat bind together with their fur. These can be used during moulting to
reduce the development of fur-blockages. Only FRESH papaya and pineapple contain the enzymes, and not those dried.
Food tat causes GI problems
Whole seeds and grains, nuts, corns, peas, lentils, beans, potatoes, bamboo, shoots, all dairy products, sugary and starchy products.
Toxix food to bunnies
[1] All raw beans (eg soy beans)
[2] Onion - including leeks, chives, garlic etc.
[3] Rhubarb leaves
[4] Chocolate(cocoa)
[5] Peel from citrus fruits
[6] Avocado
[7] Seeds in fruits (including Apples, pears etc etc)
Twigs and branches
Bunnies' teeth nidda be kept short and nice. Twigs help to wear the teeth down - and are nutritious and fun as well.
Safe twigs:
[1] Apple
[2] Ash
[3] Hawthorn
[4] Hazel
[5] Maple
[6] Pear
[7] Willow
Pellets
Source of energy and nutrients, and contains a number of vitamins and minerals.
A good brand of pellets shud contain:
18% fiber, 12~14% protein, maximum 3% fat content and 0.5~0.8% calcium.
The percentage of fiber shud always exceed the protein content.
Grooming/Bathing
Rabbits hate getting themselves wet (like all other furry critters). Rabbits usually maintain their fur coat, and dun really nid us to help them.
People wud powder their bunnies if they get stink. Refer to this site for dry bathing:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html
Do not use Johnson Baby Powder as it contains talc and this wud irritate the bunny's respiratory system; and even be carcinogenic.
Instead, corn-starch based baby powder cud be used. This cud be found in the baby section at deparmental stores in SG. (brand: Pureen)
Read tat NDs nidda be groomed as well; But not as often as needed for other breeds due to the fact tat bunnies wud shred once every 3 months.
A very useful webby on the details on grooming: http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/groom.html
Behavior
Each bunny bonds differently varying from ppl; and depending on how often do one interact with their bunny.
i read tat NDs are harder to be tamed; but they love to be pat and stroked. Bunnies hate to be held and prefer to hv their 4 feet on the ground, esp their 2 hind legs.
Characteristics of ND
Features:
[1] Big Round Apple Head
[2] Short Pointed Ears (no longer than 5.5cm)
[3] Short thick and strong forelegs
[4] Round cobby body
[5] Weighs around 1 - 2kg
About ND - from a breeder
NDs will change alot during their first year. They wud be more like a local bunny; after a year, they will be more adorable, with rounded features.
A non-sterilized ND wud be rounder and their features wud be nicer than a sterilized one;
This info was gotten from a breeder; Anything wrong, plz inform me via email: nakoruru_hikari@hotmail.com
- taken from www.medirabbit.com -
