Baby Derby...are they TOO young?

[Vyxxin]

I was wondering what most of you thought on this matter. I only ever get to attend the York show due to a very fixed schedule so I don't get to see too many. BUT, last year York held their first baby derby and to be honest...I was a bit concerned (as were a few others that I spoke to). Some of the chins entered were VERY young...looked to be too young to be weaned even. Now, I'm not trying to criticize...but some of my adult chinchillas do not handle the stress of travel+show room chaos+accidental illnesses brought in to a show. I can only imagine how some of the kits handle it. So, my question I guess is...what is too young to be bringing and even then should they really be put through the stress of a show for an award that says how "cute" they are? I know it's a great opportunity for chapters to make the money that they really need to function, but at what cost to the chinchilla and for so little of a purpose?

[tunes]

Good question Ange. I wondered about that myself the first time I heard of a baby derby. None of the ones I saw, though, were tiny. Most looked to be 3-4 months of age.

It is cute to see them, but I personally don't think I would ever do it. Mainly because I'm just too far away. I wouldn't drag a young'un 9-16 hours each way just so they could be judged on cuteness. I already know they are cute. :)

[Vyxxin]

:) I'm not trying to single anyone out as I do not have any idea who brought what for the derby this year...but someone had a chinchilla that was about four inches long (not including tail). Seriously, it couldn't have been older than 6 weeks and that's barely old enough to wean. The only way I would ever enter a chin in the baby derby is if it were JUST too young for real judging and even then I really don't think I'd put a chin through the stress for a "cuteness" award...they're all cute :)

[CHINCHILDREN]

personally i would never enter a kit at a baby derby. if i think the chin is old enough to be exposed to the trip and the risks that come along with being in a show hall, i will show it in the young class. if it is not old (or good) enough it stays home.

just me.

[starleomach]

The youngest I have ever entered was 3 1/2 months. I am tempted to bring a kit I am weaning to the show this weekend (Ohio) but I doubt I will. I don't want to pull him from mom then put him through that

[CountryExotics]

I agree I dont like the idea of the baby derby either. They are to young and wow for someone to bring a kit that looked barely 6 weeks old wow.. not good..

We did a cutest chin contest at an ecbc field day one time but it wasnt baby chins that were in it and the girl I put in it was in the reg competition to she just had really cute markings so I threw her in there for fun...

[chinmandan]

Good Point, I agree Angie. When they are that young the should be given the respect to be left to be in their home!

[Megan.]

The biggest problem with the baby derby is while there is an age limit...You know people are lying about the age of the babies. I remember seeing a few younger chins, that couldn't have been 3-4 months of age being thrown into the derby...but the paper work said they were old enough to be in it....Sucks when breeders will lie just to throw a baby into the derby.. Age limits are set for a reason, people!

I think its a cute idea. But the problem is people lie, and fake the birthdates to enter younger and younger kits into it...

[LAN63]

I've only gone to 2 shows now and each time no really baby babies in the derby. Truth be told, to me, yes they are cute when they are young, but the cutest is when they are 3-6 months old--those aged babies are much cuter than a week old or a month old kit--JMO

[chinchewy1]

Like Megan said people lie for what ever reason to get their babies in. They should be almost old enough to enter into the regular show. Most times it is a selling advantage for breeders to enter a young chin (shouldn't actually be a baby) into the derby. They may be too young for the regular show but ready to find their new home. We have been lucky at the York show and are starting to attract more pet people into coming.

We were very concerned about some of the entries last year and that was one of the reasons Dave ended the derby early.