How often have you run across this??

[chincolores]

I was just curious how often people have run into the ol' cliche of "Buyer Beware" when getting chinchillas?? I'm not into naming names AT ALL!! Please don't do this!! But if the growing amount of hobbyists that are especially not involved as a member of either Empress or MCBA........get into and out of the business of raising chinchillas and go around misrepresenting them.....I was just curious!! That means we need to get more people involved into one of these organizations. Not only for the information and education, but of the ethics side of things. Ethics is the main and solid part of any business and is the backbone of any business that will last longer than five years.....whether it be a glorified hobby or a full fledge business. For myself, I'm hooked and in it for the long term!! I take pride in knowing I can sell quality animals and I do go to sleep every night knowing I am improving the lives of many chinnies. I am here for anyone - anytime!! :) I have heard some horror stories lately that prompted me to write this........I am very curious if this is a growing problem or not??

[starleomach]

I have had good dealings with the people I have purchase from reciently (the four are the first chinchillas I have purchased in a few years). my first experiance buying from a breeder was Baby she was all she said she was and more, not a single regret. I had a reference to the next breeder (sadly this female died in december) then the new 4, 2 were from Ralph Shoots who I had no doubts about weather I could trust him, the next were from Jack Danko again worked out great (his animals are surprisingly friendly for a larger breeder) and the last female I got was from chocolate chinchillas, I fell in love with her a long time ago and she just happened to go up for sale when I was looking. I trust Dawnna with my life and the lives of my chinnies she is a wonderful person. I sing nothing but praises from everyone I have bought from, they are all helpful and always there when I need help.
But I have noticed a large increase in bad transactions but it has gone both ways, buying as well as selling. I am a bit leary I guess you just have to take your chances and except the consequences as there is no way to start a list any one can take a personal grudge and turn it into something else

[chuckles]

Why is it when 'breeders' suddenly decide to get out of breeding, that all sorts of bad things come out about them? It would do everyone so much good to know before hand! Granted, the normal bashing between breeders is one thing; the things I've heard & recently witnessed first hand are entirely different!
There has to be a way to overcome this sort of thing aside from asking 60 million people ahead of time (which sometimes they will not wait for you to decide, but rather have others also interested so either you grab them then or you lose out)!!!

[TheChinClique]

I bought two chinchillas from a breeder last month and they both came with ringworm, and one with hunchback. I didn't really look into the breeder's past history because I thought anyone who was breeding would have to be at least somewhat educated in the area, but unfortunately I was wrong. I guess you have to be careful with who you trust. Now I also found out, that she is selling some of her herd which is probably infected with ringworm. People like that shouldn't own animals.
-Andrea

[starleomach]

One of the things I have been saying very reciently is any idiot can throw togther two animals produce babies and call themselves a breeder

[chincolores]

Does everyone think they should belong and hopefully be active in one of the chinchilla groups such as Empress or MCBA??

The unfortuneate problem is that some people have the money, the room, and start out with the love for chinchillas ....... either end up realizing that unless you're in it for the long haul, there really isn't the BIG money they thought was going to be there and it is a very slow breeding process. I have found that some also get into it too quickly and buy a chinchilla according to price rather than quality. Hense, threads like "How much did you pay for your chinnie" that has turned into "How less they paid" as the thread progresses. I have paid as much as $500 for an awesome standard grey!! He has produced totally awesome kits ... and I will end up getting that back by quads or more in money and show experience by his kits!! Picking up a cheap chinnie will produce cheap chinnies and not always healthy ones either!

On the flip side....there's the good quality chinnies that have not been taken care of "very poor ranch management" and like you said, people have lost interest and sold out. Not everyone that sells out does this and I wondered if they were active members in a group - does it make a difference?? Should we all push anyone that has say over twenty-five chinnies to join?? I don't know if it would work - do you?

[cindyN]

Yes, I think being a active member of the MCBA or Empress, might help.
My story: I've had chins for about 4 years now. My chins
have all come from very well known breeders and some
ranches. I purchased a chin from Jeff Shuboyle, and met
him at the 2004 Nationals for pick-up. In the mean time
I knew some of my chins may be show quality. So, I asked
some questions, and brought 2 of my chins to show, also.
I had no idea what I was doing, but got some much needed
help (combing, filling out paperwork,etc) from Beth Ann. Jeff had told me, one way to know if your stock is good, is to show. Well, I kept picturing the judge to say, WOW what crap, when looking at my chins. But no, my homo ebony female, (2yrs) old took a 2nd place, and my very young dark tan boy took a 2nd place, (with the judge commenting, that he has potential for lst next time around) And, my sweet beautiful boy from Jeff, took a lst. I got my beautiful homo ebony (Mariah) from Scott Barnes, he told me alot about showing.
My dark tan boy, was bred by me!
I'm already watching to see, who I will show next year. My way of thinking is, always breed the best quality
possible, and a way to know good quality is joining a
club, and giving showing a try, you might be surprised!

[chincolores]

Cindyn....Good for you!! You have become active in a group and around some VERY GOOD people that will help you in anyway possible. You are learning about chinnies and now realize their value by showing too!! Taking more animals back to the show is a great thermometer for the ones you are breeding from one year to the next!!

Any one else??

Hopefully more people will see this and want to join an organization!! There was one gal (Woody knows) that had a chin as a pet and someone convinced her to show him. To make a long story short....she took the Champion with him!! She had some of the ranchers standing next to her asking for offspring!!

[Mystic]

I have thought about showing especially when I bought my pastel female, Grace and later a black velvet male, Bubba. To me they seemed good quality and I would love to show them to see what the judges would think, but there are no chinchilla shows as far as I know that are around my area here in Nebraska. I tried to look into 4-H shows at our county fair but as far as I can tell people don't show chins there. I really would like to show my chins, these two especially, but I don't know where to go to show them. I can't go out of state because I am only 16 and my mom wouldn't allow it. What should I do? I will be sending in my registration to the Chinchilla Club as soon as I remember to stick it in the mail.

[galtinel]

I expect to show in 2005, and based on how I do, I'll be upgrading my membership in ECBC.

As for do I feel that hobby breeders who say they are "breeders" should be a member of one or the other organizations -- I would prefer to buy from someone who is a member of ECBC or MCBA. I'd even pay a premium for a "papered" chin (think dogs or horses).

Do I think a third organization for "hobby pet breeders" needs to be created? Dunno. I sure don't have the time right now for anything more than I'm doing.

~Sandra