Show risks

[Claudia Irvine]

I have been to a few shows to observe, but have never shown my animals. There are various reasons for it, but the biggest one is definitely the risk of my animals catching some nasty illness. Reading the latest horror stories just makes me shy away from showing even more. It is heartbreaking to read how people loose their animals from something they caught at a show and in some cases have it spread throughout their herd. I quarantine every new chin for 40 days, and would definitely have to do that with the chins that I have taken to a show. Is that not too much stress for them, first the traveling, then spending at least two days in a tiny cage, at least one day without food and water? Strange people staring at them all day, taking pics etc? Then the long trip back home? After that a long quarantine? I don`t know, I was almost sure I wanted to show at the next Show here in December, but now I am having second thoughts again.
I wish the judges would just travel around and evaluate peoples herds, I would not mind paying for that service either. That way the chins could stay in their cages and their familiar surroundings and I still would know how good (or not) they are.
I would like to have a good reputation, would like people to know I have good quality chinchillas, and would like to be sure myself that I am on the right track with my breeding program, but having some of them dying because of that just seems too much of a high price to pay.

What are your opinions about this, all of you who are showing, are you not worried about your chins catching something at a show?

Claudia

[DS Chinchillas]

Most quarantine after shows .. I usually use Terramyacin on my herd for a minimum of 5 days after a show .. this helps prevent the possibility of something spreading through my herd. Not many people use Terramyacin, but after what happened to my herd when I was in Chicago many years ago, I will swear by the stuff as a preventitive or as a form of helping in a mild case of Giardia.

I know there are a few big ranchers that will help in the evaluation of one's herd, if they are planning to be in that area.

I feel if proper steps are taken once you bring your chin(s) home from a show your herd should be fine.

[CHINCHILDREN]

i think that is a valid concern. i do show and have not had problems (knock on wood.) yes, there is a risk but there is also a risk any time you let a buyer into the chin room to choose an animal; or if you are sick and have not yet come down with symptoms.

i actually for the most part do not show animals unless i have bred them myself and for that reason have considered having a sanctioned judge come and evaluate/pair my herd. i might still do that some day (talk to a judge, they would be willing to do this...)

i think that one of the values of showing is the fact that the judge is looking at not just your animals AND does not know who's animals they are looking at. it is hard to look someone in the face and tell them their fluffy is cute but not worth s**t... that being said i still hope to have the money some day to pay a sanctioned judge to do a 'home visit...'

[lilchinchilla]

We plan to be looking over everyone's chins, at the field day coming up this month, to try to tone down any risks of any illness or whatnot being spread.
If any chins are obviously not well or visibly showing signs of anything, we will be removing them from the field day.

It's far more important to me to reduce the risk as much as possible. I think shows or field days should be easy going fun, and a good learning experience for everyone. Don't want anyone to be worried during the whole event. :)

[JAGS]

Shelly, I have no problem telling you your fluffy is cute but worth ----. But then worth is in the eye of who owns it and what its worth to them.

[karynnd]

Shelly, I have no problem telling you your fluffy is cute but worth ----. But then worth is in the eye of who owns it and what its worth to them.

:rofl: Oh, Randy, you crack me up!! Maybe you can come to my house and look over some of my animals. ;)

Karyn

[JAGS]

Claudia, sorry if I got off topic there but I do know of someone who travels to do herd evaluation if you are interested. Really though, knock on wood, over the years we have not seen much in the way of problems. Most people know if they have a problem in their herd and are good enough not to bring them if anything is suspected. It has always worried me some knowing what I have invested but so far no problems here.

[Riven]

One "problem" or should I say consideration is at a show the animals are compared to other animals... if that makes any sense. Also there is show cages and show lights and the white paper tables. These are required to get a good evaluation. Looking at a chin in it's cage isn't comparable. You have reflection of colors of the cage, the room, the metal, the shavings. You would have to make the conditions similar to a show but would still have the lack of a "control" animal, which isn't always needed for just an evaluation if the judge has a good eye.

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

Good question Claudia. I share your concerns.

[Becky]

It is certainly something to think about. Since chins are so good at hiding illness, it is always possible that an animal is carrying something.

There were upwards of 2000 animals shown this year. That doesn't even include the numbers that were in the show room as people sold/delivered them. If you think about it, it's probably amazing that there aren't many more problems.

I am planning to have a herd evaluation this summer. I can't wait! But, it's not the same thing as showing. I've been showing my own animals for 2-3 years now. I can tell how my breeding program is going by how they do against other animals. To me,that is the only way to go.

Becky