How to Breed Chinchillas

Chinchillas are so adorable with their fluffy squirrel-like tails that there is no reason you would not want to have more. They can also be sold for a good amount of money and it could become very profitable for you if you decided to breed them. Follow these instructions on how to breed chinchillas successfully.

Things You'll Need

  • Male chinchilla
  • Female chinchilla
  • 2 separate cages
  • Carpet squares or newspaper
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure that the doe (female chinchilla) is ready to pass the kits (baby chinchillas) through her body. She should be at least 8 months old and 600 grams. The buck (male chinchilla) should be at least 6 months old.

    • 2

      Start by placing a buck in the same cage as the doe. If this is their first time together then they need to be introduced slowly. Place their separate cages next to each other and let them sniff each other for a while. Afterwards place them in the same cage and watch for aggressive fighting.

    • 3

      Ensure that the chinchillas are in an area where they are exposed to the natural cycles of light and day. Chinchillas will not breed when it is always light or always dark.

    • 4

      Check for evidence of mating. After the chinchillas have mated the doe will have a waxy plug that holds the buck's semen in place. Although they have mated it does not mean that the doe is pregnant.

    • 5

      Keep an eye on the doe. She will not appear pregnant until a few weeks before she is due. The gestational period is 111 days. The doe will give birth on her own, clean the kits, and eat the afterbirth.

    • 6

      Separate the buck and the doe shortly before the birth of the kits as the doe can get pregnant again immediately. It is not fair to the doe to have back-to-back births and may result in her death. Put the buck in a cage right next to her so that he can smell her and the kits then reintroduce him a little later.

    • 7

      Baby-proof the cage by putting newspaper or carpet squares across the bottom of the cage so those little legs do not get stuck. They will be moving and crawling about in no time.