Chinchillas

[Firework]

Does anyone know what Chinchillas eat?

 

[bantamsrus]

They should be fed a good quality chinchilla pelleted diet (such as Mazuri or Oxbow) and also grass hay (alfalfa has too much protein in it). Feed very few treats (veggies, etc) as their digestive tract is more sensitive than rabbits.

 

[wordgirl]

Quote:
We used timothy hay for hay.

 

[Boyd]

how do they taste?

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Quote:
Maybe like a squirrel?

 

[wordgirl]

Most people don't raise chinchillas for meat.

 

[Firework]

Thanks.

 

[Akane]

Since chinchillas sell for $100s and can be hard to breed you'd be better off selling the offspring and using the money to buy meat off someone.

Chinchillas are related to guinea pigs and both eat a diet similar to large grazing animals like horses. They need mostly hay with a small amount of pellet food to provide any missing vitamins and minerals. Then some fresh foods which can be as simple as fresh grass or a small amount of vegetable. Grains and seeds should be limited to treats and not a main part of the diet or pellet you feed.

 

[Boyd]

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They really go for that much? ACK!!!! I should kept some around. I always heard about raising them for their fur but was always curious what they tasted like... or did they waste the carcass.

 

[Whispering Winds]

My neighbor talked us out of them, as she had some and said they have to have AC and are sort of difficult to take care of. I think they are the most precious little animals I have ever seen, and that fur!! I wouldn't wear it, they had it first, but the feel of it is just unforgettable.