Chin Facts

Chin Facts

Adult Weight Males = 400-600 grams; Females = 400-700 grams

Life span: 15-20+years (in captivity) Have been reports of chins who have lived up to 30 years

Body temperature: 96.8 - 100.4F

Heartrate: 100 BPM (beats per minute)

Puberty: Can be as early as 12 weeks, usually between 6-8 months

Estrus Cycle (Heat cycle): Around 40 days, can range from 16 to 69 days

Litters per year: 2

Litter size: Average is 2 kits, can be anywhere from 1 to 6 kits

Birth weight: 35 grams or more depending on size of litter. With many kits, their weights will be lower than what a litter with one kit would be

Chinchillas are Precocial species. This means that their young are born mature and mobile from the moment of birth. The young have hair, their eyes and ears are open and they can walk.

Weaning: Around 8 weeks. I have heard of some breeders do it between 6-8 weeks. I usually do 8 weeks unless the chin is growing up real well, gained a lot of weight, and the mother is just dying to get rid of them.

Chinchillas will lick your face or lips as a sign of affection.

They can learn their name and come when called if you are always patient and gentle with them

Be sure to rub behind their ears, under their chin and on their chest because they adore this!

Chins are long in memory and short in forgiveness. They rarely dislike someone for no reason. If they are hurt or mistreated by someone, they will remember!

Please do not consider a chinchilla in the same class with all rodents. This is what most manufactures do and it is killing many chinchillas. Chins can not be given the same things other rodents eat. They are much more sensitive than rats, mice ect. A chinchilla is an exotic animal and requires special food and treatment.

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