Chinchilla Pregnancy and Post-Birth Care

1 Chinchilla Pregnancy and Post-Birth Care

1. During pregnancy

Once pregnancy is confirmed, separate the male and female at once or divide them with a breeder cage to prevent fights that could cause miscarriage. Also avoid disturbing the resting female, keep her warm or cool as needed, and give her a comfortable, quiet, safe environment.

A pregnant chinchilla needs more nutrition; feed easily digested, high-nutrition food and you may raise the amount of alfalfa. But do not overfeed — obesity raises the risk of a difficult birth. Pregnant females also drink and urinate more, so keep fresh water available and change the bedding often.

After 60 days the rear of the body visibly enlarges into a triangle shape. She becomes very sleepy, moves less, and grows sensitive — less affectionate, refusing to be held, and sometimes spraying urine in self-defense. This is normal, so do not worry.

After 80 days remove the higher platforms, leaving only the lowest level, to prevent accidents and stop the mother resting on high ledges where the kits cannot reach the milk. In the two weeks before birth, cut down free-roam time. Late-pregnancy appetite drops, so offer apple chips or oats to keep her eating and maintain her strength.

Five days before birth, lay clean wood shavings in the cage and change them as needed to prevent chills or death.

2. After birth

The female usually passes and eats the placenta within an hour; if she does not finish it, help her eat it, because the placenta is rich in nutrients and aids milk production.

Watch the kits and confirm they get colostrum. They must nurse within 4 hours of birth — colostrum strongly shapes their later growth. If some kits are bullied and cannot feed, let them nurse first. Although the female has three pairs of nipples, usually only 2-3 produce milk, so with a larger litter hand-rear some — pick the heaviest or most lively kits for bottle feeding.

For a week after birth she discharges fluid from the genital tract; do not bathe her then, to avoid infection.

Lactation lasts about two months; keep mother and kits together 2-3 months, and only rehome kits after they reach 3 months of age.