showing

[chuckles]

Okay, so me & a couple people were discussing this over the weekend & am curious what others think or which is preferred I guess. So the topic was/is.....should or shouldn't chins that have been in breeding at all, be entered in a show? I know people do take them out of breeding to be shown, but should they really be shown then? Or is it just the condition in which they will be in, having been in breeding?

[Jade]

For what it's worth, I took a female straight out of breeding and entered her into the last SC show - she took a 1B and only lost to the other chin for not being in 'prime' condition. My male at 5 months was taken straight out of breeding as well and took a 1B at Nationals. ;)

I think they're definitely in better condition fur-wise if paired alone, and that's primarily why people don't show chins being bred. Not to mention the possibility of a female being shown and pregnant causing stress.

[Becky]

Personally, I would never show a chin that was already in breeding. There are some that keep their good looks, but most do not. It is so easy for fur to get messed up and for a chin to get peed on, etc.

I don't encourage people to do this, especially with a female. Why put them through the stress? A chin at a show goes a whole day without feed and water. That's really not a big deal for them, but it might be for a pregnant chin. Chins at shows also go through some stess, in a room full of loud people and lots of chin smells and noises. I don't think it's worth the risk.

That said, there is no rule against it.

Becky

[starleomach]

I wouldn't take a chin out of breeding but it is a great way to have a chinchilla you are thinking of breeding graded.

[Ashleigh]

I took one male out of breeding and put him in a show last month. Hes three years old and for beign that old I didn't think he would show well at all but he took Color class Champion and every one was impressed by him.
That is the only time i have taken an animal out of breeding to be placed on the show table. I was just shocked at how good he looked for being in breeding and how his kits looked I though he might as well, whats to loose. I knew he was a good male as he placed 1st at two different shows so If he got a bad place i wouldn't be hurt by it. I also took him to get more grooming experiance as I'm still learning. but his did very well. BTW he is for sale if any one is interested..
I dont think its a smart idea taking a female that has been in breeding to show becasue of stress and lack or food/water and quiet time. I have heard a few stories that some chinchillas were so stressed at the show that they died the night they were taken home.
If the breeder wants to have their chin shown and there are fur slips because they were in breeding will know or should know that they will get knocked down for it. Any discoloring or fur slips, ect.. will get marked down so most people dont take breeding animals but every once in a while i wouldn't be shocked to see one or two at a show.

[chuckles]

I was just under the impression that it was quite frowned upon to do so. But I was just curious as to others opinions; I personally wouldn't due to all the stress related, if it were a female.

[Becky]

Ashleigh,

If the male had already been shown and done well, what was the point of showing him again? Why put him through the stress if you already knew he was a nice animal?

Becky

[Ashleigh]

Being the fact he was three years old, no disscoloring, no fur slips. Looked to be in prime show condtion I thought I would see how well an older animal would do as many say that they wouldn't show a chin past 2 years. I also needed to catch up some grooming skills as i had already stated. I dont go out of state with my chinchillas for shows. Most of the time Shows are not even and hour away from me and i bring them the day of the show and take them home the same day. The show i took this male to, was less then 15 mins away from my house, theres a few times where i have traveled up to 5+ hours for a show and that is stressful I'll admit but I have seen people travel long distances with chinchillas. Like the chin rail road. I wont do that as I find its to stressful to be in a car for many days then being on a plane for a few hours. Another reason why he was taken to the show is that it was claiming show, therefore all animals must be put up for sale and I would like to sell this male.