Breeds

Character Sketch

Early History

Mathias F. Chapman started the North American chinchilla industry in the higher uplands of the southern Andes, mainly in Chile where the chinchilla had been hunted to near extinction by the early Spaniards

From 1919 to 1923, during his employment to Anaconda Copper Company, Mr. Chapman used trappers to collect his original stock. The larger Lanigera of the high Andes was found above an altitude of 10,400 feet. The Costina variety of chinchilla, located at lower altitudes, was a smaller animal not as desirable for breeding.

Mr. Chapman was able to get only 12 animals, nine males and three females. Their journey to North America took them from Poterillos, Chile, via railroad to the coast. They then went by the coastal steamer, Palena to Calloa, Peru followed by a steamship trip aboard the Anyu Maru to San Pedro California. They landed on February 22, 1923. One of the original animals, a male named Old Hoff lived to be at least 22 years old

The first farm was located in Los Angeles, the next in Techachapi California. There he was plagued with spring water that contained chemical matter believed to have reduced production and by the theft of approximately half of his herd. It is believed that the stolen animals all died. Mr. Chapman moved back to the Los Angeles area to 4957 West 104 Street, then a county area identified as Inglewood.

Mr. Chapman’s early structures approximated the conditions of the wild. He built a large retreat of brick with an adjoining room. The original structures promoted open air, large space and insulated nest boxes. The housing provided areas of protection from and full exposure to the local climate. The animals were offered a variety of feed and many places to exercise. In the early days, most people did not even know what a chinchilla was and the fur industry had yet to establish a stable market for the domestic chinchilla furs.

In the late twenties the chinchilla population expanded 35% per year. By the early thirties it was up to 65% per year. By the end of the thirties, production was doubling yearly at times. By the early forties, females were averaging 2.5 young per year.

As time went on, floor space was cut in half as the chinchillas did well with less exercise. Adopting the principles of raising poultry, raised wire bottom cages were used with the droppings falling to the floor below- a major change from the original wooden cages.

Mathias Chapman died in 1934. His son, R. E. Chapman, continued the business creating the "WORLD’S ORIGINAL SOUTH AMERICAN CHINCHILLA FARM" in 1942. This was an era of many changes and it became evident that chinchillas would be saved from extinction. There were now a few hundred ranches worldwide. By the 1950’s, there were chinchilla ranches in most of the developed world except Asia and Australia. Ranchers continued to innovate with buildings, cages and equipment and management systems to suit local climates. During this period, the quality of the animals was continously improving.

Pair mating dominated breeding until the fifties. With polygamous mating following, superior sires were chosen to improve breeding. More attention was paid to commercial scale pelt production.

In the following years, ranchers continued to experiment with buildings and improved equipment. Today’s chinchillas thrive in the best conditions technology offers. The quest for best quality fur is ongoing. Despite market variations, the North American chinchilla industry thrives, thanks to early efforts of Mathias F. Chapman.

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Breeds of Chinchilla

• Lanigera - the best production strain, the original animals showed wide range in colour. The colours ranged between a light bluish grey to those showing a distinct brownish colour.
• Costina - a smaller type of chinchilla with very bluish colour. They had a rather short fur, not too dense, but good strength.
• Brevicoudata - a large, well furred chinchilla with a good full neck. The fur was thought to be too long as it did not have good strength.
• North American - most of the better chinchillas today are the result of carefully controlled breeding over the last 60 years combining the best features of the original three breeds.

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Character Sketch

Chinchillas are quite even tempered, not in the least vicious and usually can be handled by children. Few other animals are as friendly toward humans.

Male and female live together amiably, and share equally the responsibilities of the family. For example, when the female goes to the feeder, the male stays with the kits to keep them warm. Even when frightened the female will not destroy her young as is usual with certain other fur bearing animals.

Chinchillas are nocturnal, sleeping during the day and very active at night. Another interesting feature is that the chinchilla is a strict vegetarian.

The gestation period of the chinchilla is 111 days and the female can bear as many as three litters in one year. While litters are born during every month of the year, the heaviest littering times seem to be during the early spring and summer. The average is two or three animals to the litter, but four is not uncommon.

Chinchilla young are called "kits". They are born with eyes open, a full set of teeth, and a complete coat of fur. Within a few hours after birth they are able to scamper around their pen. Kits weigh from 40 to 75 grams at birth and are fully mature at the age of one year.

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