The domestic chinchilla (Chinchilla laniger) originates from Latin America and descends from the last (or, according to some authors, the second-to-last) wild species still alive. In this context, breeding chinchillas is of prime importance, since they can only be traded as captive-bred animals.

Although the chinchilla can live a long time (10, sometimes up to 20 years), it reaches sexual maturity early — at around 4-5 months in the female and 9 months in the male. Breeding, however, usually begins only at 7 to 9 months of age.
The breeding season runs through winter and spring (November to May); then, in summer, the female chinchilla is hormonally at rest.

With a little experience, the young can be sexed from birth. In the female, the vulva is hidden by a membrane that only opens during birthing (parturition) and for 2 to 4 days during the season (oestrus).
The season lasts on average 1 month (note: it varies widely); it becomes visible when the vulva opens, releasing mucous secretions, while the perineal area takes on a more intense colour.

A successful mating is confirmed by the appearance of the mucus plug, expelled within 24 hours — just as in the guinea pig.

The male may stay with the female during pregnancy (gestation), birth and the nursing of the young if she tolerates his presence. In a harem, however, it is best to remove the male straight away.

Pregnancy is long, lasting 110 to 120 days. A female can have two litters a year, with 1 to 5 young per litter (2 on average).
Birthing often takes place at dawn (before 8 a.m.) and very rarely after 12 noon. When living and husbandry conditions are ideal, birthing difficulties (dystocia — an abnormal or difficult birth) are only rarely seen. The wild female chinchilla builds no nest; once domesticated, however, she is happy to use a warm corner that will keep the first-born warm. Blood on her nose and front paws is a sign that birthing is over and that the mother has swallowed the placentas.

The young weigh 30 to 50 g at birth, already have their fur and teeth, and their eyes and ears are open. They walk after 1 week. If nursing is a problem, you can try to find a nursing foster mother — a chinchilla, or failing that a guinea pig. Otherwise they must be hand-reared with a mix of powdered milk and water in equal parts, plus 1 g of glucose per 15 ml. For the first 3-4 days they should be fed on demand, with no more than 4 hours between feeds, and twice during the night. After these few days, night feeds can stop and the intervals between feeds can be lengthened gradually.
You can also offer them the recipe used for baby guinea pigs:
1 teaspoon of plain bifidus yoghurt, low-fat quark (séré) or plain yoghurt
+ a few drops of sunflower or linseed oil + a few drops of water.

Don't forget to massage their tummies and keep them warm!

The young start eating solid food after 1 week; several bowls are needed to prevent squabbling. They are weaned at around 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Important:

  • At weaning, the young must be separated from the parents
  • The mother can come into season (and be fertile!) just 12 hours after giving birth! The following seasons occur about 40 days later.

Disorders of the reproductive system:

  • Dystocia (difficult birth): the female is restless, cannot settle, cries out and keeps turning towards her genitals. Problems usually arise when a single foetus is too large or a foetus is poorly positioned. Sometimes uterine inertia (a lack of effective contractions) explains the sluggish labour. Dystocia is managed by gentle manipulation or a caesarean section.
  • In the male, a ring of fur can constrict the penis (fur ring), often following mating.