[BrainGirl]

This is for future reference only so you know. I have no plans to add to my herd of one in anything like the near future!

My chin has been making little noises in the morning that I've identified from web research as a noise that chin pairs make when together, or single chins make when they're lonely. I'm thinking that if and when I'm in a better position to provide a home for a second chin, I might want to get a friend for my male.

I would probably want to get another male for him so as to avoid the stress of having him neutered, though if I happened to end up with a female (for instance if another one got dumped in my backyard :rolleyes: ) I would certainly have it done. On the other hand, might it be wise to consider an older female as a companion? One that is beyond breeding age? Or would he still be compelled to mount her and cause her stress?

Another question, is it always necessary to quarantine an incoming chin? There is a female being offered right now on the local classifieds site that is 7 years old and has lived alone with her owner for years. Would she be considered to have been "in quarantine" all that time and therefore ready to have in a cage in the same room? I'm just using her as an example, there are numerous chins for sale and free right now. It's heartbreaking how many there are actually.

As I said, I'm not getting a new chin, I'm just information gathering for future reference :)

Thanks in advance for anything you can tell me!

[Diane]

First there is no such thing as a female chin beyond breeding age. Yes they will slow down but some 15yr old females have produced kits. The only sure wat to make sure a male/female pair don't breed is to have him 'done'.

Personally I have always found it easier to introduce a younger chin to an older one rather than the other way around, so you might find it easier to take the older chin as the 'main' one and introduce the other one to it.

A new chin should ALWAYS be quarantined in another room for a minimum of 6-8 weeks. There are things that a chin can be carrying that only become infectious when the chin is slightly stressed such as by a move to new things/place/people. :)

[Trish]

A second male chin is the easiest way to go if you decide to add to your herd. Quarantine (as Diane has said) is ALWAYS necessary. The main thing to remember with any addition is that there is no guarantee that two chins will be happy with each other and live together peacefully. With that in mind you should be prepared to have two chins housed seperately just in case things dont work out....

[BrainGirl]

Thank-you both very much! Just knowing that 2 chins might not bond is an overwhelming reason to avoid getting one at the moment. I just don't have the space. But reproducing at 15 years!? I was amazed! Well, there goes another assumption out the window!

It's good to have all the info in mind should I ever decide to get another, Thank-you again!