Misinformation

[Gamaray18]

Ok, I'm a member of many chin mailing lists and groups other than this one, although I usually find the most accurate information here. I've only been an owner since the end of September (but I couldn't imagine life without them now!!) so I certainly don't know "everything" but I'd like to think I've picked up a LOT (heck, I think I could even give SOME reasonable information on breeding if I had to, but I'd obviously prefer to leave that to the people with experience in that situation :winkgrin: ) All that said, it drives me INSANE when I see, on some of these lists, people coming in with just massive misinformation, touting it as fact, and then arguing about how "right" they are when/if they are corrected! I want to yell that just because YOU are doing something wrong and it luckily hasn't killed your chin, doesn't make it OK, or the "norm" or something that MOST responsible owners do. It also worries me how much incorrect info is being given to some of these new owners! Plastic "exercise" balls, harnesses and treats are a few I can think of off hand.

FWIW, I refer people here whenever I can because, in the even that some incorrect info IS given, there's ALWAYS someone around who can quickly correct it and inform more thoroughly, you know?

[kare_bear]

What makes it even worse is when you tell people the right info and they refuse to listen or just ignore it.
Because those of us who have been breeding for a few to many years have no clue about it at all. So we are wrong in not putting a 3 month old female with out adult male. Then they come back..."I think my chin is pregnant at 4 months, what do I do?" I know there are people sold wrong sexes and such, this is the people who know and want to do it there way.

[Gamaray18]

What makes it even worse is when you tell people the right info and they refuse to listen or just ignore it.
Because those of us who have been breeding for a few to many years have no clue about it at all. So we are wrong in not putting a 3 month old female with out adult male. Then they come back..."I think my chin is pregnant at 4 months, what do I do?" I know there are people sold wrong sexes and such, this is the people who know and want to do it there way.

I hate when I state something I KNOW to be correct, and then someone else comes back and contradicts me with wrong information! I hate getting into petty internet fights, but it's like the LIFE of your pet is at stake here!!! It's so frustrating to me. I think when stuff like what you mentioned above happens, that's maddening too, but at least I can understand a new owner/breeder not knowing what/how things should be done. What I hate is when someone "experienced" comes and gives these newbies bad advice as if it's something all owners adhere too.

[chinkeep]

Sadly, there are people that think that they know everything and are very crafty in how they present themselves which makes them look VERY credible. And it isn't just misinformation about the animals, there is a lot of misinformation being spread about breeders as well. No one should take any one person's advice, they should listen to all advice or recommendations given and then make an informed decision.

[Gamaray18]

Sadly, there are people that think that they know everything and are very crafty in how they present themselves which makes them look VERY credible. And it isn't just misinformation about the animals, there is a lot of misinformation being spread about breeders as well. No one should take any one person's advice, they should listen to all advice or recommendations given and then make an informed decision.

That's a good point. At least on here you can see, I think, a wider variety of responses and also look at information like - how many chins a person owns, how much they post, etc. Not that # of posts NECESSARILY means much, but I'm going to listen to someone like....hedgemom, with thousands of posts before someone with like 50, you know? Or at least it gives them an opportunity to stop and think more critically about what advice they are given.

[Brea]

THe amount of posts don't determine their knowledge. Their are new people to the groups that know just as much.

[Gamaray18]

THe amount of posts don't determine their knowledge. Their are new people to the groups that know just as much.

I'm not saying it's a universal, just that there are several senior members whose opinions and advice I trust more than others, I guess.

[Midwest Exotics]

wasnt there another thread going on just a week or so ago that was along the same lines as this one?

No post count, how many chinchillas they own, & or how long they have been a member doesnt mean they know a lot or a little. Its one of those things where its best to get more than on answer & use your best judgement on if they are all right. (If your really not sure, contact your Vet. ... even though they sometimes dont always have the RIGHT answers either.)

Just my two cents. Im sure the other thread is somewhere floating about on here.

[Gamaray18]

wasnt there another thread going on just a week or so ago that was along the same lines as this one?

No post count, how many chinchillas they own, & or how long they have been a member doesnt mean they know a lot or a little. Its one of those things where its best to get more than on answer & use your best judgement on if they are all right. (If your really not sure, contact your Vet. ... even though they sometimes dont always have the RIGHT answers either.)

Just my two cents. Im sure the other thread is somewhere floating about on here.

Ok, post count wasn't the reason for this thread, and I'm sorry if I got off onto that...the thread is about people on other lists giving BLATANT bad information, touting it as correct and then refuting that anything is wrong with the information, and even going so far as to argue that actual CORRECT information is wrong. It just steams me up.

[Midwest Exotics]

i absolutely know what you mean, i just thought there was another thread up not too long ago that talked about this same thing. =]