Hay, Cubes, Supplements???

[SMEGZ114]

In a few weeks I will be getting my first chins and I know what feed to get them but I am TOTALLY confused about whether to get Timothy Hay, Alfalfa Hay, Hay cubes (mixed or not) and then also what supplements I'll need?? I don't think one book I've read has given the same advice about which hay is best and which supplements are neccessary also, so I'm really flustered. Also how much can I order at a time of stuff without getting too much so that some of it gets bad by the time I use it?? I'm a newbie in need of help lol! So I would greatly appreciate anyones advice or even like a list of exactly what they give their chins and how much and how often or whatever would be great information too.

Thanks for the Help! :D
Meghan

[SMEGZ114]

What treats are good for Chins? Half of the things I read say ONLY raisins and only one a day at the MOST, and the other half say you can give chins an apple slice or other dried fruits. So what's true?? Or what do you guys do?? Also what really is TOO much (like really just one raisin a day... or are some treats okay to give more than one a day?) lol sorry for bugging you guys, but I don't want to do anything wrong and hurt my new chinnies :|

[bell]

I don't give my chinchillas raisins any more, I have heard stuff about them. I give mine shreaded wheat squares, papaya. I give them timmothy hay. I also give them the occasional table spoon of oats. But with treats they should be given in moderation. and hay free feed.

[tunes]

If you feed your chins a good quality pellet and hay, they don't really "need" a supplement. I do supplement mine, because I think it gives my breeding females a little boost. If you choose to supplement that's okay, but if not, that's okay too. Below are a couple links that should help you out which discuss treats and supplements. Just remember if you feed an alfalfa based pellet, you should feed a timothy hay. Whether you choose to use loose hay or cubes is up to you. I use both. They get cubes once a week to munch on and loose hay every day because they love it. It can be a bit messy, but the shop vac takes great care of that.

http://www.chinstation.com/viewtopic.php?t=644
http://www.chinstation.com/viewtopic.php?t=309

Congratulations on your new chinnies BTW! Were you able to find some more locally to you then? What did you end up getting? Any pictures?

[equus_peduus]

The easy answer: Feed a good quality pellet (mazuri, apd, tradition, whatever, there's tons of threads on "good pellets") and timothy hay. Lots of wooden chewtoys. hay cubes (whether they be alfalfa, timothy or a mix) are ok in moderation (like, 1-2 a week, I usually end up with about 1 every 2 weeks). If you want to give him variety, you can get other grass hays (orchardgrass, brome, bluegrass) but it's not necessary. If you're feeding alfalfa based pellets (all but one that i've heard of are), then you don't need alfalfa hay. Don't really need it anyway - it's high in protein and calcium, but low in phosphorus and many other things, as well as being a kind of "hot" hay which isn't really necessary. Supplements are not necessary, though you can use them as treats (they're probably better for the chin than raisins :P). Give them free choice of pellets and hay and they'll be happy.

As far as treats go, one raisin or raisin-sized equivilant after about 6 months of age. Raisin equivilants can include other dried fruts (apple, cranberry, papaya, mango, etc - make sure that any fruit is unsulfured and unsugared - try the local healthfood/organic foods store), non-quick oats, cheerios (plain), and a few other things I can't think of. However, don't overdo it on variety - Chins do *not* need variety. Heck, they don't need treats (my chins count themseslves lucky if they get more than 2 treats in a week :P). Attention and playtime and new chewtoys are better for them ;)

As far as how much to get at a time, go with what's economical and what you've got space for. Pellets are good for about six months after mill date (which is not necessarily soon before you get them, so check the label if you've got the choice) - keep it in an airtight container. I get about 10 pounds at a time and it lasts a while... I put it in two containers - one a big one, and one small so i'm not constantly opening the main storage container to get out food every day. Hay lasts pretty much indefinately as long as it's stored right - cool, dry, with air circulation. There's a number of threads as to where you can order what hay, and what brands seem to be best. Or, if you've a feed store nearby, see if you can buy hay there (though a bale of hay would probably last one chin around two years XD seeing as i get 3 flakes every 4-5 months or so...) Remember that hay gets messy, so take that into account when determining storage space for it.

[SMEGZ114]

Chilvr had a little beige boy she was selling and I ended up buying his brother two because they are caged together already and we didn't want to separate them. My mom borrowed me the money until later becuase it was such a good deal for the two ($80) But I'm waiting to get them until I get back from Florida so I don't have them yet. And an extremely nice girl from the cities is giving me her Chinchilla Townhouse from Martins Cages, which is HUGE! So I'm super excited I know the guys will just LOVE it! I'll put pictures up once I get them for you to see.

If you feed your chins a good quality pellet and hay, they don't really "need" a supplement. I do supplement mine, because I think it gives my breeding females a little boost. If you choose to supplement that's okay, but if not, that's okay too. Below are a couple links that should help you out which discuss treats and supplements. Just remember if you feed an alfalfa based pellet, you should feed a timothy hay. Whether you choose to use loose hay or cubes is up to you. I use both. They get cubes once a week to munch on and loose hay every day because they love it. It can be a bit messy, but the shop vac takes great care of that.

http://www.chinstation.com/viewtopic.php?t=644
http://www.chinstation.com/viewtopic.php?t=309

Congratulations on your new chinnies BTW! Were you able to find some more locally to you then? What did you end up getting? Any pictures?