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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/24/2008 6:00:54 PM
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I am considering buying a pair of chins next month, but which should I get? Males or females? I have heard males will bite and females won't. But other people say there in no difference? What's the truth? 
I am the rat whisperer. I love rats and always will! Ratz Rule!
      
My current family includes- Teddy, Harold, Archie, Angel, Velma, Maya, Emily, and Marshmellow. All rats whom I love VERY much!
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 10/29/2008 10:50:06 AM
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| I can 100% guarantee you that gender does not dictate if a chinchilla will bite or not. I have known both females and males who do bite and have known both who don't. I have had or worked with chins who were solely pets and chins who were used for public presentations. In all my experience chins who were raised to be handled regularly- and I mean regularly- were more accustomed to it and didn't bite. The age at which you begin handling in my experience has also made a huge difference. 3months is the ideal age to begin working with your chin. After 6 or 8months (like most petstores sell) the chins are going to take much more patience and time to work with! Chins who were handled less often and for only short periods of time would bite to be put down or to move your hand. Also, feeding treats through cage wires can contribute to biting. I have one chin who for 2 years was never given a treat through her cage. She was also used to alot of handling. Anyone could put fingers in her cage and scratch her or pet her without the fear of being 'nibbled'. I have a second chin who is given treats through her cage and now any finger near it is destined to recieve a bite in hopes that the finger is a raisin or cheerio. I suggest what I can 'hand training' your chin. Chins don't like to be grabbed or held like you would hold a rat or bunny. They release fur and it's messy and can over heat them. Instead always lay a flat hand (like you are waiting for someone to put a $20 bill in the palm of your hand) and have the chin stand on your hand. You can hold them at chest level and they'll learn this is a comfortable way to be held and wont jump. If they do you'll need to break that habit, but that's a whole different blog! My best advice to you is seek a local breeder for your chin. It will most likely cost less money, about 1/2 as much, and you can get a younger chin. If you want a pair I suggest getting sister siblings. You wont have to worry about accidental breeding and they will already be used to eachother.
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 3/7/2009 11:53:40 AM
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| I completely agree with the other guy!!!!
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 7/20/2010 5:32:45 PM
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| My male chinchilla Chester doesn't bite. I got him from a pet store where they never handled him and he was real skidish at first but hes totally warmed up to me. I can put my whole head in his cage and give him a kiss and he never nips or anything. Hes so good I love him so much! So yeah anyway my point was I think it depends on the personality of the chin and not the gender.
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Last Login: 6/9/2009 3:11:01 PM
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I agree with the other person on the whole bitting issue, but Chinchillas give "love nibbles" but they can also draw blood. So if it is a soft nibble, don't worry. If the bite is a hard one, say "ouch" each time and they will learn that this isn't a behavior that is good and they will stop. I have all mine potty trained as well.
We Need To Be The Voice For Those Who Can't Speak!!
ChristineCurrent Chin Family: Fanny, Louis, Anthony, Nibbles, Ginger and Sugar
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