Do your research

There are lots of resources on the internet and also in books that will allow you to research Chinchillas. From keeping chinchillas as pets to breeding chinchillas for exhibiting. Use these resources to establish why you want to keep or breed chinchillas.

Establish your Aims

It is not easy starting out but if you have some clear aims in mind it makes it a lot easier.

• What type of Chinchilla do you want to breed?
• Do you want to breed a specific mutation?
• Do you want to breed Standards?
• How many Chinchillas do you want to have in your breeding programme?
• How much time can you dedicate to your Chinchillas?
• Money should never be an issue. You will not make money from breeding chinchillas and you must always have some in reserve for emergencies.

Setting up your Unit

Before you invest in any Chinchillas it is important to get your breeding unit set up the way you want. This is probably the largest single investment you will make. Have a look at some of the sites on the links for further information on cages, food, hay, the building itself, environment, temperature and humidity. These all play important factors in the health and well being of your chinchillas.

Buying your Chinchillas

So you know what you want to achieve? You have your unit set up and ready to go? So where do you get quality Chinchillas to start your breeding programe from?

Have a look at the National Chinchilla Society link, here you will find show results for the past few years. Look at who is regularly won awards, these are the breeders/exhibitors you would want to buy your chinchillas from.. Go along to your local NCS show where there are occasionally chinchillas for sale, this way you can also see a prospective chinchilla being appraised on the show bench before you decide wether or not it is what you are looking for.

Dont expect the top breeders to have what you are looking for straight away. Many breeders like to keep their young animals to show and compare with their older animals before deciding what to sell on.

It is much easier to purchase males than it is females. Buy the best male you can afford and use this as the foundation of your new herd. Make sure the breeder understands what it is you want to achieve that way they can try and provide you with the best animal they have available to meet your needs.

Learning about breeding

You will find links to other breeders websites within the links page. There is lots of information about breeding chinchillas but the best way to learn is to visit current breeders. Do your research before you go and try to learn as much as you can. Arrange a time to visit and go armed with a list of questions you want to find out. Dont just visit one breeder though try and visit a couple as each may provide different perspectives or ideas for you to explore.

Exhibiting

The National Chinchilla Society hold shows throughout the UK. The shows can be attended by anybody whether you are exhibiting an animal or not. Even if you are not showing any animals these are great places to meet other people that have a love for Chinchillas.

If you follow at least some of this advice you will be starting off in the right direction and save yourself a lot of heartache, wasted time and money. The emphasis should always be on the quality of Chinchillas not the quantity.