Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Scifisarah]

First, how old are the girls?

Chinchillas, in my opinion, are not good pets. They are very sensitive and high maintenance. Also, they are not cuddly pets, and do not like getting handled. Even ones who have been handled from a very young age by a devoted breeder. And if you think other animals chew, then you haven't met a chinchilla. My former housemate, his chinchilla chewed EVERYTHING.

Also, they can teleport. Which greatly assists with the chewing. A list of things ruined include a window air conditioner, countless sets of headphones, books, socks, chairs, window edges, cords, and basically anything you wanted intact. Normy did make a great paper shredder, so when anyone got credit card offers in the mail, we gave it to the chinchilla. He reduced those letters to confetti in minutes.

I'm serious. Not a pet I'd recommend unless you can chinchilla proof an entire room. They do need a lot of exercise, and even with a big cage, they should get 'outside' time.

I'd have to agree with everything said here. I always wanted one because I thought they were so cute, and then after working at the humane society and being around more of them they really didn't seem very friendly. I'd really recommend getting two young female rats. They are great small pets.

 

[kimmie6067]

Wow, Kimmie. That had to hurt. I'm cringing just looking at it. Hope it heals up well.

Not to bad actually, he got 16 stitches. He had chaps but never wore them so I sold them on ebay last year.

Kimmie

 

[Stacykins]

I'd have to agree with everything said here. I always wanted one because I thought they were so cute, and then after working at the humane society and being around more of them they really didn't seem very friendly. I'd really recommend getting two young female rats. They are great small pets.

I agree with the rats! They're wonderful pets! Definitely gotta be in pairs or more. They're fun, affectionate, can easily be trained to perform tricks, cuddly, etc.


These are the three rats my friend Kyle owns. Their story is an interesting one. I was given a fuzzy rat (a fuzzy is a baby rat who has a bit of fur, but eyes are still closed) who wasn't eaten by a ball python. So I raised this tiny rattie on formula. My elder sister, who keeps rats, agreed to take her when she was old enough, and asked me to get her a buddy first. So when Mouse was bigger, I got her a friend from the petstore. They bonded. But it turns out, the friend was preggers! And so nine more were born. She was a great mother, at least! Kyle and I handled those babies from only a few days old, as their mother was cool with it, and to socialize them. The result was ratties that were so utterly tame and loving. So Kyle kept three girls, and we found homes for the boys, and Mouse and her friend finally went to my sister.

The three in the video are the girls, Shrew, Panda, and Gecko Paw. Kyle actually gives them the run of his bedroom (he owns a house) when he is home. The rats go potty in their cage, put themselves to bed, and never chew on anything they aren't supposed to.

 

[chickflick]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I passed it along. She's disappointed, but wants a good pet for the girls. There are 4 in the family, ages 9, 7 6 and almost 2. They would definitely want something they can cuddle and handle.

 

[NovaAman]

Looking to find a new home for he/she if anyone is interested!

I'd love him. I am in Holland. He won't be a snack for a snake. I got me two bitty cochin girls that are not show quality, and are all black. Black on splash... possible blues! And I love them little ones.

I agree with the rats! They're wonderful pets! Definitely gotta be in pairs or more. They're fun, affectionate, can easily be trained to perform tricks, cuddly, etc.

Agree on the rats. They are smart, wicked funny too, great personalities. If you get a chinchilla, you will need to basically set up a HUGE chin house... think like those big hamster homes that have the tunnels, levels, etc... only for a chin instead. If the kid is responsible enough to handle the maintainence end of it, then actually, I'd say do it, but the kid needs to look at the costs of setting up a chin house, supplies, and the time needed to care for it properly. If she's wanting a cute little play with it pet, not happening. Get two, preferably the same sex, so they have company. IF you get a breeding pair, she may be able to make a profit/ sell the off spring to pay for the up keep of the critters. It takes a whole different level of devotion than it does a hamster.

 

[kimmie6067]

Just wanted to show you a picture of an egg I got this morning poor hen

 

[chickflick]

OUCH!

 

[Scifisarah]

I'd want a daily epidural if I was a chicken laying THAT.

 

[BackyardFarmMom]

Just wanted to show you a picture of an egg I got this morning poor hen

I wouldn't even want to push that one out...

 

[taprock]

Talking about pets, does anyone have experience with micro pigs? I see one needing a home and would love to talk dh into it but......