What is a Black Pearl? Pg 12 - Empress Chinchilla fileWhat is a Black Pearl? Pg 12 ... Spring matings Spanish & English 6 ... great stuff and easy to test! The Black Pearls, article

Empress Chinchilla BREEDER May 2015

What is a Black Pearl? Pg 12

President’s Message 4Market Report 5Spring matings Spanish & English 6Impounded chinchillas 7What’s in your Feed? 8Copying Methods - Director Report 11 10Line Breeding made easy 13Testing for Ammonia Levels 14

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East Tennessee ChinsEast Tennessee Chins



Hey All,

This issue is so exciting.! Wehave a new advertiser,Modesto Mills. more abouttheir exciting organic feedsin upcoming issues..A very important article from Sumiko on testing ammonia levels inyour chin unit - great stuff and easy to test! The Black Pearls, article online breeding, awareness about potential toxic products in our feed,all make this a gem of an issue that needs to be read cover to cover!

I am excited to be headed to the summer directors meeting. Lots ofexciting issues, So stay tuned for updates in the June issue.

Our membership drive has been very successful. We have just under2 weeks to go and we have 31 new members so far. It will be excitingat the board meeting when we pull the name of the new member whowill win a Dark Star first place animal. So far for most referrals, Sumikois in the lead by one, Kristy is pushing hard right behind her and Tiffanyis right behind Kristy. At this point, anyone could win that first animalfor having the most referrals!

We had an unfortunate situation in Wisconsin this past month withover 330 chinchillas being impounded for their safety. I have taken thelead and have been in contact with the investigating officer, theshelter director, and the owner of the animals. The shelter is workingwith Empress and the members of the Wisconsin branch to ensurethese animals are being properly cared for. See more on this matteron page 7. Watch the ECBC Inc Facebook page for regular updates.

Maxine

Volume 71, No. 5Information contained in this maga-zine, including any information aboutadvertisers, members, addresses,phone numbers, e-mails, web sites,meeting places and dates, may not bereproduced without prior consent ofthe National Office of Empress Chin-chilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc. Thisincludes the internet site,empresschinchilla.org.

Issn#175-860 The Empress Chinchilla Breeder, (founded in1945 as the National Chinchilla Breeder) is publishedmonthly by the Education, Research, Development Foun-dation of Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc.Located at 5525 Heidi St, La Mesa, CA 91942. PeriodicalsPostage Prices paid at La Mesa Post Office 91944 and atadditional mailing offices. This periodical is mailed tomembers and is available upon subscription to libraries,universities and, research personnel. Copyright 1991, Em-press Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc. All rights re-served. Postmaster: Send address changes to EmpressChinchilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc. 5525 Heidi St., LaMesa, CA 91942

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Your National Directors

Gary Neubauer, Director -at [email protected]: Pelt Marketing

Gene Adcock, Director at-Large1st Vice [email protected] Show ChairCo-Chair: Internet,Co-Chair Fundraising & Advertising,Pelt Marketing

Mike Lawrence, Region ll2nd Vice PresidentCo-Chair Fundraising & [email protected]/fax 620.490.0325Co-Chair Fundraising & Advertising

Norra Horton, Director-at-LargeSecretary/[email protected] MembershipChair: Positive Information

Daniel John Jensen, Region [email protected]: Hall of Fame

Cara Beasley, Region lScotts Valley, [email protected]: Research & Education

Casey Craner, Director-at-Large123 E. Pear St., Grantsville, UT [email protected]: MagazineCo-Chair: membership

Wendy Torgerson - Adviser RanchCertification

Sumiko De La Vega, Advisor, YouthDevelopment, Internet & Social Media

General ManagerMaxine Lynch5525 Heidi St.La Mesa, CA [email protected]

www.empresschinchilla.org

Unauthorized reproduction or forwarding of thisdocument is prohibited and may be cause for membership

cancellation and/or legal remedies.

The Latest from the General Manager


President’s MessageWhen the members of Empress read these lines, the summer director’s meeting will havetaken place. What are the reasons for a mid-year meeting attended by the nationallyelected directors?

The agenda is pretty lengthy and it takes two days to cover all the subjects. Under myleadership I have discouraged internet discussion on the bigger subjects. I much prefersitting at a conference table, looking everybody in the eye and getting a discussion going.Very often I will play devil’s advocate to stir a detailed vetting of a subject. This cannot bedone via e-mail.

We also will plan the Annual meeting in November. What kind of education do we plan?We get feedback from the local branches and the national director of who might attend. The program which might beof interest to a brand new breeder might bore an old timer to sleep. Programs about the pelt market might be or nointerest to the newer breeders. So we try to come up with a balance. Making it interesting for everybody. We also planthe judges seminar. Experience and trainee judges get together and encourage uniformity in judging.

We also plan a banquet where the social aspect of belonging to a national organization are furthered. A big part of beingactive in our group!

Next years national show will be planned. A pet project of yours truly. It will probably be the last national show I helpto plan and being part of the board of directors. We have already big plans to make this NATIONAL SHOW the spectacleit deserves to be. Not only the animals and pelts, but the exhibition of the surroundings of the show will be an event notpreviously seen. We hope to make it the show all other shows will be measured against.

A very beautiful, reasonable hotel, with in-house dining and bar, amidst a spectacular setting right on the Pacific Coasthighway. The temperatures in March hover around 780 degrees. We hope you will attend, but if you cannot and wantto exhibit pelts, we shall offer a service for you to do so. More about that in future issues.

Look for more on both events soon,

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Chance to win a AnimalEmpress Membership Drive

January 19, 2015 - April 30, 2015 - Drawing May 1, 2015

Animals were first place winners at the 2015 California State Show. Transportation is the responsibility of the new owner. Minimum of atotal of 20 new members must be signed up or the contest will be extended until 20 new members have signed up

All new members will have achance to win the second

animal

Person who signs up the mostmembers will win first pick of

animalWin this animal for yourself or as a fundraiser for

your branch


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DYNE One product that has beena must have for many chinchillaranches over the years is a productcalled Dyne. Dyne is a high calorieproduct used to give run down ani-mals a boost. It might be used foran injured animal that has lostweight due to afight or injury. It

can be used for a mom who got rundown after nursing many babies. Itcan actually be used as a supple-ment for babies who are not gettingenough milk. One ounce has 150calories, but a chinchilla does notneed an ounce, more like a drop ortwo.

Dyne can be purchased online frommany dog supply companies. Youcan do your own search, but themost inexpensive I found wasthrough “Gun Dog Supply” 16 ounc-es for $10.95 .

Welcome New MembersJulia Sales - No. California referred by Trina Davina

Tan Choon Beng- Washington referred by Sumiko De la Vega

Tammy Ames - Pennsylvania - referred by Angela Abbotts

Billy Rodriguez Jr. - FloridaAmanda Beam - Kentucky referred by Sumiko De la Vega

Ella Davina - No California referred by Trina Davina

Mark Johnson - Washington Branch referred by Sumiko

Coleena Molyneaux - Connecticut referred by Coty May

Kathy HO - Florida referred by Kristy Morici

Heather Chraca - Wisconsin Branch referred by Kristy Morici

Dave Green - United Kingdom

Veronica BaumgartnerRachel Hughes - Gr. Kansas City referred by Bob & Vicki Merritt

Give them a Hearty Empress Welcome!

During this membership drive I have had quite a fewnew members sign up. They are a vocal group andsince many of them are new to chinchillas, they haveasked for basic care topics in the magazine. First aidideas. How to save babies. Basic nutrition needs.What should be kept in a chinchilla medicine chest.So in the next couple months I will try to addresssome of these things. But I also invite your com-ments.

So experienced ranchers, My question for you thismonth is: What do you keep in your chinchil-la medicine chest? Email me [email protected] with your answers/advice. There will be a prize for one member whosubmits an idea.

Chin Mother’sSupplement

A little boost for new moms. Mixtogether ½ Cup Crushed pellets -appar-ently a coffee grinder works well!

½ cup Goat Kid Milk Replacerpowder

6 capsules Probiotic Powder,opened and added to the mix

Feed 1-2 teaspoons per day tonew mothers


Programa de mejoramiento deprimavera!

Esta época del año es un momento importante y emocionante encualquier rancho chinchilla. Las hembras jóvenes nacidas enagosto, septiembre y octubre son mayores de edad que se pongaen cría. Generalmente es sabido que las mujeres jóvenes de unos6 - 9 meses concebir más rápido que las hembras más de 18meses de edad. No nos gusta utilizar hembras menores de 6meses, mientras su cuerpo no se desarrolla lo suficiente parapasar por un embarazo. También queremos para asegurarse deque las hembras crecerá hasta un tamaño grande, unacaracterística muy importante.

Así que ¿qué rasgos deberíamos favorecemos cuandoseleccionamos para la cría.

Claridad del Color?Tamaño?Otros rasgos?

Bueno, no es tan simple. Hay cuatro rasgos principales que debenocurrir en cualquier chinchilla de calidad. Buen tamaño, aceptableclaridad del color, piel buena resistencia y una medida buenavelar de la nariz a través de la zona del cuello, hasta la cola. Deestas características no tienen prioridad. Ellos deben ocurrirjuntas.

Una vez que lo logramos, podemos buscar los rasgossecundarios, como la densidad excepcional, textura sedosa,buena conformación, una reducción gradual de la vela haciaabajo los lados a la barriga (no un cambio abrupto de la oscuridada la luz) y hasta longitud de la piel. Todas estas característicascombinadas sería la chinchilla de tus sueños. Pero podemostrabajar lentamente para incorporar las característicassecundarias de las primarias. Pero no puedes dejar en los rasgosprimarios. Son un deber producir pieles o criar chinchillas para losespectáculos.

El productor de piel tiene la carga adicional de tener que agregarfase color. La diferencia de precio de un color mediogradualmente la piel y un extra oscuro es enorme. Todo lo demásen igualdad de condiciones, oscuridad a menudo duplica el preciode tu piel.

Un criador de chinchilla buena también incorpora otras cosas ensu programa de cría. Uno debe ver la producción, eliminar colasde tornillo, eliminar gris se vuelque en el vientre, criar chinchillascon un buen temperamento y vigilar la producción de leche de lashembras lactantes. Recuerde que los genes para la producción deleche buena son transmitidos por el macho como la hembra.También eliminar piel chewers así como sus descendientes.

Ahora es tu tarea para este año. ¿No es tan difícil, o es? He sidochinchilla cría durante poco más de 46 años y todavía estoytrabajando en ello. Otros 50 años y todo lo ha perfeccionado.

Buena suerte. Gary Neubauer

This time of the year is an important and exciting timeon any chinchilla ranch. The young females born in Au-gust, September and October are of age to be put intobreeding. It is generally known that young females ofabout 6- 9 month conceive faster than females over 18month of age. We do not like to use females youngerthan 6 month, as their body is not developed enough togo through a pregnancy. We also want to make surethe females will grow to a large size, a very importanttrait.

So what traits should we favor when we select forbreeding?

Clearness of Color?Size?Other traits?

Well, it is not that simple. There are four primary traitswhich must occur in any quality chinchilla. Good size,acceptable clearness of color, good fur strength and agood veiling extent from the nose through the neck ar-ea, down to the tail. None of these characteristics havepriority. They must occur together.

Once we achieved that, we can look for the secondarytraits, like exceptional density, silky texture, good con-formation, a gradual reduction of the veiling down thesides to the belly (not an abrupt change from dark tolight) and even fur length. All of these characteristicscombined would be the chinchilla of your dreams. Butwe can work slowly to incorporate the secondary charac-teristics into the primary ones. But you cannot let up onthe primary traits. They are a must whether you producepelts or breed chinchillas for the shows.

The pelt producer has the extra burden of having to addcolor phase. The price difference of a medium colorphased pelt and an extra dark one is huge. Everythingelse being equal, darkness often doubles your pelt price.

A good chinchilla breeder also incorporates other thingsinto his breeding program. One must watch production,eliminate screw tails, eliminate gray tipping on the belly,breed chinchillas with a good temperament and watchthe milk production of the nursing females. Remember,the genes for good milk production are passed on by thefemale as well as the male. Also eliminate fur chewersas well as their offspring.

Now this is your chore for this year. Not so difficult, oris it? I have been breeding chinchilla for just over 46years and I am still working on it. Another 50 years fromnow and I have everything perfected.

Good luck. Gary Neubauer

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Once again, impounded chinchillas are in the news, again! This time it is not the work of peta or ananimal rights organization shutting down a “bad” pelt producer. Although a humane shelter has becomeinvolved. This time, law enforcement was called to the home on an unrelated matter. Once there, theyfound conditions that they say made the home inhabitable for humans or animals.

Impounded Chinchillas in NationalNews Once Again

We all shudder whenever chinchilla makes the news, wefear, next time it could be me. We fear that authoritieswill enact legislation to prevent us from raising chinchil-las, despite upholding industry standards and providingoptimal care. We fear that we will not be legally allowedto improve the species by raising this little animal that welove.

This is a case of an owner who cares about her animals,but got in over her head and is now facing prosecution.Potential prosecution for child endangerment as well asanimals cruelty. It is important to note that the individualis innocent until proven guilty. Buteven if this mess ended today and allthe animals were returned it is a lifechanging event. This article is notmeant to point fingers or place blame,it is merely as close as possible, afactual account, to try to prevent thisform ever happening again - to anyone.

It is reported that dead animals werefound in the home, that the smell ofammonia was so strong, it was beyondtoxic levels. It is reported that there were chinchillacolonies in several rooms of the home. It is reported thatthe conditions in the home made it unsafe for childrenand made the home uninhabitable. Whether theseallegations are factual or not, will be decided by a judgeand jury when they hear the case - if it goes that far!

331 animals have been removed and are being housedat a local humane shelter. The shelter staff are over-whelmed as you can imagine.

I have been in touch with the owner of the animals aswell as the investigating officer and the shelter director.The shelter director is working with Empress and

Empress members. Wisconsin Branch of Empress andWisconsin MCBA chapter are a great resource for thedirector and both have made hay, dust and shavingdonations to the shelter. Blue Cloud Mining has madea donation of dust. Kaytee and Oxbow has made adonation of feed and hay. These organizations andindividuals should be commended for wanting to dothe right thing.

In the February issue, I wrote an article on Puppy Mills,or Chinchilla mills. If we do not breed and raise ouranimals responsibly, then we are no better than a

puppy mill. These puppy mills, for the mostpart have been shut down though legislationand humane laws. Those in our industry whodo not breed responsibly and care for ouranimals properly, we also will be shut down.As a breed organization we have a hugeresponsibility for the care of all chinchillas.

The final thought I want to leave you with isthis. The Humane Standard and Guidelinesdeveloped by Empress, CIC and NCBA - ourRanch Certification program, is being used as

the standard for how these animals should be raised.This case will set a precedent, and these guidelines arelikely to be used in every future case. If you have nothad your chinchilla unit certified, the time is NOW. Getit done. The cost is $25 and a vet visit. This is cheapinsurance to show you adhere to the guidelines and avet has inspected and signed off that your unit passesinspection.

You will be issued a certificate that is good for threeyears. Contact the National Office today to ask for thebooklet.TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TESTING THE AMMONIALEVELS IN YOU CHINCHILLA UNIT, TURN TO PAGE 14


Most of us feed our chinchillas a rabbit pellet because most companies don’t make a chinchilla pellet. We know thatthe chinchilla digestive system and nutritional needs are similar to a rabbit. So what is in that pellet and is it anappropriate ratio for our chinchillas.

Feed companies have a formula that dictates what nutritional values make up a certain feed. Within those nutritionalvalues they can use many ingredients to achieve those totals. This allows them some flexibility to help keep costs lowwhen certain grains fluctuate in price they can substitute one grain in place of another and still know that the feed hasthe needed nutritional requirements.

One substance that may be used is cottonseed meal. You need to know more about this product, gosspol, found incotton seed meal. Here is the report from the Merck Veterinary Manual on Gosspol Poisoning.

What’s in that Feed?

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Gossypol poisoning, which is usually subacute to chronic, cumu-lative, and sometimes insidious, follows consumption of cotton-seed or cottonseed products that contain excess free gossypol.It is of most concern in domestic livestock, especially prerumi-nants or immature ruminants and pigs; mature ruminants aresomewhat more resistant to gossypol's toxic effects. It has alsobeen reported in dogs fed cottonseed meal in diets or housed oncottonseed bedding.

EtiologyGossypol, the predominant pigment and probably the majortoxic ingredient in the cotton plant (Gossypium spp), and otherpolyphenolic pigments are contained within small discrete struc-tures called pigment glands found in various parts of the cottonplant. Gossypol occurs in cottonseed as both protein-bound andfree forms; only the free form is toxic. Gossypol content ofcottonseeds varies from a trace to >6% and is affected by plantspecies and variety and by environmental factors such as cli-mate, soil type, and fertilization. Gossypol is a natural compo-nent of all but the rarely produced “glandless” variety of cotton.

Cottonseed is processed into edible oil, meal, linters (shortfibers), and hulls. Cottonseed meal is marketed with 50–90%protein, depending on intended use. Cottonseed and cottonseedmeal are widely used as protein supplements in animal feed.Cottonseed oil soapstock (foots) is the principal byproduct ofcottonseed oil refining. Cottonseed soapstocks are being in-creasingly used as animal feed additives; cottonseed hulls areused as a source of additional fiber in animal feeds and usuallycontain much lower gossypol concentrations than do wholecottonseeds.

Lipid-soluble gossypol is readily absorbed from the GI tract. It ishighly protein-bound to amino acids, especially lysine, and todietary iron. The precise mechanism of action is not known, butgossypol renders many amino acids unavailable by the formationof a Schiff's base-type derivative as well as additionalprotein/gossypol interactions. Gossypol also affects enzymaticreactions critical for many biologic processes, including the abilityof cells to respond to oxidative stress and inhibition of oxygen

release from hemoglobin. Conjugation, metabolism, and uri-nary excretion of gossypol is limited; most is eliminated in thefeces.

All animals are susceptible, but monogastrics, preruminants,immature ruminants, and poultry appear to be affected mostfrequently. Adult ruminants are able to detoxify gossypol byformation of stable complexes with soluble proteins in therumen, thus preventing absorption, something that is lackingin swine, preruminants, and young ruminants with only apartially functioning rumen. Pigs, guinea pigs, and rabbitsare reported to be sensitive. Dogs and cats appear tohave intermediate sensitivity. Holstein calves seem to be themost sensitive of cattle breeds. Goats may be more sensitiveto gossypol than are cattle. Horses appear relatively resistantbut caution is still advised. Toxic effects usually only occurafter longterm exposure to gossypol, often after weeks tomonths.

Clinical FindingsSigns may relate to effects on the cardiac, hepatic, renal,reproductive, or other systems. Prolonged exposure cancause acute heart failure resulting from cardiac necrosis. Also,a form of cardiac conduction failure similar to hyperkalemicheart failure can result in sudden death with no visible cardiaclesions. Pulmonary effects, labored breathing, and chronicdyspnea are most likely secondary to cardiotoxicity fromcongestive heart failure.

Hepatotoxicity can be a primary effect from direct damage tohepatocytes or metabolism of phenolic compounds to reactiveintermediates, or liver necrosis may be secondary to conges-tive heart failure. Gossypol inhibits glutathione-S-transferase,impairing the liver's ability to metabolize xenobiotic com-pounds. Hematologic effects include anemia with reducednumbers of RBC and increased RBC fragility, decreasedoxygen release from oxyhemoglobin, and reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood with lowered Hgb and PCV valuesdue to complexing of iron by gossypol.


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Reproductive effects include reduced libido withdecreased spermatogenesis and sperm motility,as well as sperm abnormalities (which may be re-versible) resulting from enzyme inhibition of steroidsynthesis in testicular Leydig cells in males. Specificmitochondrial damage in spermatozoa appears to causeimmobility and depressed sperm counts. Extensive dam-age to germinal epithelium in both rams and bulls fedexcessive gossypol may be responsible for depressedspermatogenesis and is a major concern in breedingprograms. Effects in females may include irregular cy-cling, luteolytic disruption of pregnancy, and direct em-bryotoxicity; probable mechanisms include an endocrineeffect on the ovary as well as a direct cytotoxic effect onthe uterus or embryo. Green discoloration of egg yolksand decreased egg hatchability have been reported inpoultry. However, antifertility and reproductive effects inmany nonruminant species are secondary to the moretoxic effects, particularly in females.

Signs of prolonged excess gossypol exposure inmany animals are reduced growth rate, weightloss, weakness, anorexia, and increased suscepti-bility to stress. Young lambs, goats, and calves maysuffer cardiomyopathy and sudden death; if the courseis more chronic, they may be depressed, anorectic, andhave pronounced dyspnea. Adult dairy cattle may showweakness, depression, anorexia, edema of the brisket,and dyspnea, and also have gastroenteritis, hemoglobin-uria, and reproductive problems. In monogastric ani-mals, acute exposure may result in sudden circulatoryfailure, while subacute exposure may result in pulmonaryedema secondary to congestive heart failure; anemiamay be another common sequela. Violent dyspnea(“thumping”) is the outstanding clinical sign in pigs. Indogs, gossypol poisoning is primarily reflected by cardio-toxic effects; condition deteriorates progressively, andascites may be marked. Affected dogs may show poly-dipsia and have serum electrolyte imbalances, mostnotably hyperkalemia, with pronounced ECG abnormali-ties.

LesionsSome animals have no obvious gross postmortem le-sions, but copious amounts of tan to red-tinged fluid withfibrin clumps are frequently found in abdominal, thorac-ic, and pericardial cavities. An enlarged, flabby, pale,streaked, and mottled heart with pale myocardial streak-ing, enlarged and dilated ventricles, and valvular edemamay be evident. Skeletal muscles may also be pale. Afroth-filled trachea and edematous, congested lungs arecommon, with interstitial pulmonary edema and marked-ly edematous interlobular septa. Generalized icterus andan enlarged, congested, mottled or golden, friable “nut-meg” liver with distinct lobular patterns can be seen. Thekidneys, spleen, and other splanchnic organs may becongested, possibly with petechiae; mild renal tubularnephrosis may be present. Hemoglobinuria and edema

and hyperemia of the visceral mucosa may occur. Cardiomyopathyin affected dogs has been characterized as focal or general,granular myocardial degeneration with edema between and withinmyofibers; severe abnormalities in contractility have resulted inright-sided congestive heart failure without pronounced dilatation,and pulmonary or hepatic changes can be minimal.

DiagnosisDiagnosis is based on the following: 1) a history of dietary expo-sure to cottonseed meal or cottonseed products over a relativelylong period; 2) signs, especially sudden death or chronic dyspnea,affecting multiple animals within a group; 3) lesions consistentwith the reported syndrome and associated cardiomyopathy andhepatopathy, with increased amounts of fluids in various bodycavities; 4) no response to antibiotic therapy; and 5) the presenceof significant concentrations of free gossypol in the diet. Analysesof dietary components for free gossypol must be correlated withhistory, clinical signs, and postmortem findings. However, as withmany feed-induced toxicoses, the responsible feed may be alreadycompletely consumed and not available for analysis. Free gossypolat >100 mg/kg (100 ppm) of feed in the diet of pigs or youngruminants <4 mo old supports a presumptive diagnosis. Adultruminants can detoxify higher concentrations of gossypol, butintake should still be <1,000 ppm in the diet. However, dietarygossypol concentrations of 400–600 ppm in mature ruminantshave caused toxicity after longterm exposure; rumen function is avariable, as is binding of gossypol to available proteins. Gossypoltoxicosis developed in mature dairy goats each fed an estimated350–400 mg gossypol/day for 3 mo in a diet containing ~400 ppmfree gossypol. Adverse effects on semen quality (decreased spermmotility and morphologic abnormalities) occurred in young bullsfed a concentrate containing 1,500 ppm free gossypol (providing8.2 g free gossypol/head/day). Cottonseed meal containing 26.6%(266,000 ppm) total gossypol and 0.175% (1,750 ppm) freegossypol was toxic when fed to adult dogs for an unspecifiedlength of time; however, the equivalent oral dosage of freegossypol fed was <6 mg/kg/day.

Gossypol can gradually accumulate in liver and kidney, which areadditional specimens for postmortem analyses. In sheep, gossypolconcentrations (free or bound) >10 ppm in the kidneys and >20ppm in the liver suggest excess gossypol exposure. However,background and significantly increased tissue gossypol concentra-tions have not been determined in all animal species, so tissueanalyses may be of limited diagnostic value.

Differential diagnoses include poisonings by cardiotoxic ionophoricantibiotics (eg, monensin, lasalocid, salinomycin, narasin) andammonia, nutritional or metabolic disorders (eg, selenium, vitaminE, or copper deficiency), infectious diseases, noninfectious diseas-es (eg, pulmonary adenomatosis, emphysema), mycotoxicosescaused by Fusarium-contaminated grain, and toxicoses caused byplants with cardiotoxic and other effects. Cardiotoxic plants (seePlants Poisonous to Animals), which may cause confusing orsimilar clinical signs and postmortem lesions, include English yew(Taxus baccata), Japanese yew (T cuspidata), laurel (Kalmia spp),azalea (Rhododendron spp), oleander (Nerium oleander), yellow


CLOSED-DOOR JUDGESMEETINGSAt the Annual Meeting often times the judges hold closeddoor meetings for judges and trainees. This is BillBooker’s explanation of what those meetings are allabout. Reprint from the November 1995 BREEDER,when Bill was the National Chair of Shows.

Many ECBC members ask why we have closed-doorjudges meetings. In the years gone by there havebeen a few open-door judges meetings and theygot out of hand. Too many people got involved indiscussions of items NOT on the agenda. When thejudges and trainee judges get together there is aset list of items to be discussed and any problemsthat need to be discussed. There are no big secretsabout what goes on behind the closed doors. Themeeting runs smoother without audience distrac-tions.

Judges critiquing new judges or, in some instances,judges themselves taking criticism from others.Talking about terminology and different methodsused to judge and explain about an animal or aboutpelts. Generally, heated discussions evolve overwhat traits take precedent over others. How tobreak ties when several animals or pelts appear tobe equal.

Our sanctioned judges do not walk on water, theyjust spend a lot of time and money becoming andremaining the people who in their wisdom guide theranchers to become better ranchers.

More often than not, at any given Judges Seminaror closed-door session, there are a few hundredyears of experienced ranching and judging peopleinvolved in trying to tackle the needs of the ranch-ers and what can be done to guide the industry. Inmy twenty-five years as an ECBC member I havehad the privilege of leaning from a lot of excellentjudges, many of whom have passed away.

All of these judges take a lot of criticism from timeto time from all of us, most of which is not warrant-ed; it's just human nature. That is why we try tokeep audience participation out of the meetings.After the closed-door session, a report or overviewis given at the open judges session. If you want anysubject about judging brought up, just let a judgeor the National Chairman of Shows know.

As you plan for your branch annual meeting, consider ifanyone in your branch is ready to start their judgestraining!

oleander or yellow-be-still tree (Thevetia peruviana), purple foxglove(Digitalis purpurea), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), dogbane(Apocynum spp), coffee senna (Cassia occidentalis), bracken fern(Pteridium aquilinum), white snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum), deathcamas (Zygadenus spp), lantana (Lantana camara), monkshood(Aconitum napellum), and milkweed (Asclepias spp).

Prevention, Treatment, and ControlThere is no effective treatment. Adsorbents such as activatedcharcoal and saline cathartics are of little value due to the chronicexposure and cumulative nature of gossypol. If gossypol toxicity issuspected, all cottonseed products should be removed from the dietimmediately. However, severely affected animals may still die up to4 wk after withdrawal of gossypol from the diet. Recovery dependsprimarily on the extent of toxic cardiopathy. Because exposure isusually chronic and life-threatening lesions may be advanced beforea diagnosis is made, a favorable prognosis for complete recovery maybe unrealistic. Mild to moderate myocardial lesions may be reversiblewith time if stress is minimized and animals are carefully handled.However, poor weight gains in affected livestock and increasedsusceptibility to stress may persist for several weeks after cottonseedproducts are removed from the diet. A high-quality diet supplement-ed with lysine, methionine, and fat-soluble vitamins should be includ-ed in supportive therapy. Selenium or copper deficiencies maypotentiate gossypol toxicosis.

Caution is advised when incorporating gossypol-containing compo-nents in any animal diet. A high intake of protein, calcium hydroxide,or iron salts appears to be protective in cattle. Mature cattle shouldalso be given ≥40% of drymatter intake from a forage source, anddietary gossypol concentrations should be limited to ≤1,000 ppm,because 1,500 ppm may cause anemia, poor growth, or decreasedmilk production. Swine and young ruminants are affected by dietarygossypol concentrations >100 ppm. Added iron of up to 400 ppm inswine diets and up to 600 ppm in poultry diets was reported to beeffective in preventing signs and tissue residues of dietary gossypolexposure when used in ratios of 1:1 to 4:1 of iron to free gossypol.Poultry are affected by dietary gossypol concentrations >200 ppm.

The best preventive approach is analysis of all dietary componentscontaining cottonseed products prior to incorporating into animaldiets as part of a managed feeding program. Potentially toxic dietarycomponents should be mixed or diluted with cottonseed(gossypol)free feedstuffs to achieve a safe and acceptable gossypolcontent in the final ration.

Prevention of tissue residues in animal organ meats consumed byhumans is an important public health consideration for those individ-uals already consuming cottonseed oil and cottonseed flour productsin their daily diets. Until pharmaco-kinetic parameters of gossypol aremore completely characterized in all food animal species, immediatesalvage and consumption of animals surviving excess gossypol expo-sure is not recommended. Only those animals living for ≥1 mo afterexposure should be considered safe for human consumption.

Last full review/revision March 2012 by Norman R. Schneider, DVM,MSc, DABVT

10


11

“When I was developing my way of ranching I wouldfind successful people and copy their methods” -Ellis Adcock

The chinchilla industry is quite a small commu-nity of producers so when we are looking to advanceranch practices and standards we need to be openminded to try and adopt methods from our friendsproducing fur from other species. I had the pleasureof reading a document covering the guidelines ofCanadian mink producers. The document provided memany ideas for how we can recruit these ideas andmake them work for chinchilla operations big andsmall.

Environmental Enrichment- The guidelines forraising mink required that there be some kind ofenrichment item in each cage. Mink producers don’ttypically do onesies and twosies, they produce in thethousands and figure out how to work enrichingdevices into their bottom line. Why? Because contentand engaged animals had fewer fur bitten tails, hadbetter growth rates, and were less prone to psycho-logical stress symptoms. Whether it means puttingwood blocks in the cages or metal caps on the cagewire, something the animal can manipulate to occupytheir time and their minds. I think this ties into whatmany ranchers have experienced when they notice adecline in fur chewing upon feeding loose hay to theiranimals. Our animals want something to do andsomething to play with.

Multi-leveled cages- Several studies in themink industry have indicated that there seems to belittle, if any, benefit to larger cages; the ranges ofcage size in the study being from 1.08 square feet to11.3 square feet. However mink seem to psychologi-cally respond substantially better to cages with com-plex designs and multiple levels. Most chinchillaranches have single level cages and only males havethe opportunity to access any type of second level(the run). Any normal ranch would be able to imple-ment an elevated platform within the cage at verylittle additional cost. This is another practical andproven method for improving our animals everyday

lives which generally pays off at the end of the year.Enhanced Bio-Security- How many ranchers actually prac-tice any kind of Bio-Security program with a quarantineroom to observe animals brought into the herd? On minkranches with several thousand animals this is a necessityand there are very strict regimens put into place to ensurenot just animal but new people working with or visiting theranch are not introducing any kind of ailments that can becarried from ranch to ranch. Controlling the amount ofpeople coming into your facility just makes good senseanyway. Ranch visitors merely need to see inside thebreeding facility from the doorframe to see what kind ofoperation a rancher is running without going in and caus-ing a disturbance among the animals.

These were simply a few take away points that Iwanted to highlight to our ranchers. These are very easy,practicable techniques that most everyone can benefitfrom. But I encourage everyone to visit the link below itsa very good set of guidelines to follow from true profes-sionals from the mink industry.

http://www.nfacc.ca/pdfs/codes/mink_code_of_practice.pdf

Daniel J. Jensen

Director Report Daniel J. Jensen Region III

Copying Methods

LOST COMBAt the Empress National Show in

Lancaster, OHSue Kiseskey lost a pelt comb.

It was an oversized pelt comb “by Greg”She believes it was left on one of the tables where

the pelts were being groomedIf you found it, or picked it up for safe keeping during

the clean up - please contact Sue Kiseskey toget it back to her. Your help is much appreciated!

Ladysue@lightspeed,net


The black pearl chinchilla (namedPolish Black Pearl by the originalbreeder) is a new recessive muta-tion. It exhibits a distinctive blackcolor with a very white belly. Theblack coloring is very dark; similarto an extra dark ebony. Unlike theblack velvet, there is a ratherabrupt transition from the blacktopside to the white belly, withoutthe gray band. The tail is pureblack, like an extra dark ebony,without the lighter colored hairfound in the tail of a black velvet.The first black pearl was born outof two standards owned by ElzbietaKucharczak in Poland in 2008. Atthe time, she had only a few chins.She crossed the black pearls withstandards and gradually producedmore and more black pearls. Shedescribed the standards she pro-duced by crossing black pearls withstandards as "dark and expres-sive". She has also crossed themwith beige and reported getting"beige, black pearl, really nicestandards and babies similar tosapphire chinchillas". Currently,there are a few breeders in Europeworking with black pearls and thefirst ones were recently importedto the US by Mark Miller Chinchillasand Steve and Merrie Downey ofEast Tennessee Chinchillas.

6

2016 might be abit early to see

some on the showtable, but

hopefully soon!

East Tennessee Chins

East Tennessee Chins

Mark Miller Chinchillas


13

Inbreeding and linebreeding involve the mating of chinchillaswithin the same family. Breeding relatives is used to cementtraits, the goal being to make the offspring homozygous fordesirable characteristics. The homozygous offspring will bemuch more likely to have offspring with characteristics likethemselves. Some people don’t like to inbreed or linebreedbecause there is also the chance to cement the poor qualitiesas well or even cement poor health traits.

Willis (1989) defines inbreeding as the mating of animals“more closely related to one another than the average rela-tionship within the breed.” Inbred matings includebrother/sister (the closest form) father/daughter ormother/son and half brother/half sister . Linebreeding alsoinvolves breeding relatives other than the individuals broth-ers, sisters or parents. Linebred matings would be grandfa-ther /granddaughter, grandmother/grandson, uncle/niece,aunt/nephew, cousin crosses, great grandfather/great grand-daughter, etc.

Inbreeding and line breeding are accepted “tools” used in alltype of animal matings to improve the positive traits orqualities of a breed. For a chinchilla to be linebred, theremust be an ancestor common to both the sire and dam. Theanimal is not linebred if only the dam or sire have linebreeding in their background. For the offspring to be line-bred, the common ancestor must be on both sides, the damand sire. If there is not a common animal on both the sireand dams background, then it is an outcross. See Figure1

Linebreeding and inbreeding is similar, differing only in de-gree of intensity. It is agreed however, that ancestors beyondthe 2nd and 3rd generation will have little impact on theoffspring.

In closing, linebreeding and inbreeding are only as viable asthe breeders knowledge of basic genetics.

A linebred pedigree is only as valuable as a person’s ability todetermine the virtues and faults of the chinchillas it contains.When we add rigorous selection for future matings we shouldbe on the right track for herd improvement and closer to thatperfect animal in our mind’s eye!

Figure 1 – Linebreeding

Z38 A12 Z15 B26 Sire Z38 A9 Z2D7

X17Z38

Y3 B3 Dam Y27 A46 Z31

Figure 2, Inbreeding – Father bred to daughter

Y11Z6

Y34B9

Z6 A4 Y12

In Breeding and Line BreedingMade Easy

It’s Time to Schedule yourBranch Annual Meeting!

According to our By-Laws, Branch Annual Meet-ings need to be held between May 1 and June 30.

This meeting is an opportunity to give the NationalDirectors feedback through your resolutions. Im-portant to maintain an active branch board of di-rectors, and to provide the National Office muchneeded information required by the IRS.


14

In light of the recent events in Waukesha, WI, I thought itmight be helpful to go over the topic of ammonia. What isit exactly, and how can we test for it to assess the effective-ness of our ventilation systems?

Ammonia is a by-product of nitrogenous wastes. The pro-tein sources in our feed are composed of amino acids whichare “deaminated” during digestion, resulting in the produc-tion of ammonia in the bloodstream. Ammonia is toxic toour cells, and in mammals, the liver quickly converts it to aless toxic form called urea. Urea is then removed by thekidneys in urine. As urine-soaked shavings sit in a dirtycage, the urea is then broken down and ammonia gas isreleased into the air. Warmer temperatures speed up theprocess and without adequate ventilation, ammonia levelscan build up to harmful levels.

According to the National Institute of Safety and Health(NIOSH), the recommended exposure limits for humans is35 ppm as a 15 minute short-term exposure limit (STEL) or25 ppm as an 8 hour time-weighted average (TWA) expo-sure. However, according to the United States Departmentof Agriculture (USDA) “Animal Welfare Act and AnimalWelfare Regulations” manual, no specific tolerance limit isgiven for animals. Under Subpart F for warm-bloodedanimals, it reads:

(b) Ventilation. Indoor housing facilities shall beadequately ventilated by natural or mechanicalmeans to provide for the health and to prevent dis-comfort of the animals at all times. Such facilitiesshall be provided with fresh air either by means ofwindows, doors, vents, fans, or air-conditioning andshall be ventilated so as to minimize drafts, odors,and moisture condensation.

Our goal should be to keep ourammonia levels as low as possi-ble and definitely lower than lev-els which can harm us when wework in our barns. Ammonia ox-idizes the fur of our animals andcan also cause respiratory dis-tress and eye irritation to us and

our animals. One easy method we can all use to test ourammonia levels is with a simple test kit. During conversa-tion with Tiffany Whitlow, she shared with me the info of

Ammonia - What is it and how can we test for it?By Sumiko De La Vega

an ammonia test paper kit on Ebay, manufactured by Hydrion.It retails for around $10. To use, you just remove a strip of testpaper, dab a couple drops of distilled water to activate, andcompare the color to thechart after 15 seconds. Very simple!

I tried out the product to test the ammonia levels in my chin-chilla room. I clean cages once a week during show season butI often worry that my ventilation is not good enough as I oftenget comments that my animals are “a little tippy” on the showtable. I left my cages uncleaned for a test period of 2 weeks toevaluate these strips and my ventilation. The pictures belowfrom L to R show: 1) My control – 0 ppm in my living room, 2)4 days post-cleaning – 5 ppm, 3) 14 days post-cleaning – be-tween 5 and 10 ppm, 4) inside a holding cage with woodenwalls after 14 days – 10 ppm.#1 #2

#3 #4

This test showed me that while my ventilation is adequate andkeeps the ammonia below hazardous levels, I might not wantto be keeping my show animals in the wooden-sided cages asthe ammonia levels In that “micro-environment” are higherthan the ambient air. Now it’s your turn - I know you’recurious!


15

FOR SALE Pink White,Beige and standard ani-mals.Rufio is one of manyproven breeders for sale.I can deliver to CaliforniaShowContact: Sumiko De La Vega [email protected]

FOR SALE - standards, sapphires, sapphirecarriers, violets , and beige. Prices vary. This

violet male was bornin 6/2014. He is oneof the quality animalsavailable. ContactTiffany’s [email protected]

NEED COLLARS for growing chinchilla herd.New or used -in good condition.Contact Maru Fraga - [email protected]

CAGES FOR SALE - 3 and 4 hole weaner cagesfor sale in New York. Contact David [email protected] 315-689-7494

CHINCHILLA ROSES - order you chinchilla rosestoday from the National Office. Long stem roses,pins, hair combs, etc. Prices range $5-$12 [email protected] or 619-825-6204

New FeatureCLASSIFIEDS

ANIMALS

SUPPLIES

PRODUCTS

Contact the National Office to submit Classified Adsrequests. Ads will run for two months for $5. Arrange--ments can be made for longer term ads. Must be anEmpress member to advertise animals for [email protected] or 619-825-6204

Tax Uncertainty Hurts Agricul-tural InvestmentNew Publication: Congress Should Not Delay on Section 179DALLAS - Congress must avoid the mistakes of 2014, when taxuncertainty delivered a harmful blow to the economy thanks to taxpolicies which were never clarified until the very end of the year,says Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) president Tom Giovanettiin a new publication.

In “How Tax Uncertainty Harms Economic Growth: AgriculturalInvestment and Section 179,” Giovanetti writes: “Tax policy has adirect impact on private sector investment, which drives economicgrowth. Businesses can only make decisions based on the tax rulesat the time, not based on guesses about what Congress might doretroactively at the end of the year.”

One important tax preference, Section 179, encourages small- andmedium-sized businesses to invest by allowing them to immediate-ly expense capital purchases. But as Section 179 is subject toannual renewal and enormous uncertainty, it’s of limited value tothose businesses it is intended to help.

Farmers in particular, whose industry is centered on mechaniza-tion, depend on Section 179 to mitigate the harm of the brutallyhigh corporate tax rate, writes Giovanetti.

Giovanetti cites how in 2014, uncertainty about Section 179depressed farmers’ investment in equipment and technology, andthe John Deere Company then eliminated 800 jobs due to fallingdemand for farming equipment. “It is reasonable to link the dropin agricultural investment and the resultant job cuts to the failureof Congress to renew the higher Section 179 allowance earlyenough in 2014 to have its intended incentive effect,” writesGiovanetti.

Although the 114th Congress passed HR 636 in February to makethe Section 179 expensing allowance permanent at $500,000,President Obama has threatened to veto the bill.

“This is no way to run a tax policy,” said Giovanetti. “There mustbe certainty about tax provisions designed to encourage invest-ment, or the investment won’t take place. Fundamental tax reformthat lowers the corporate rate to below 25 percent and eliminatesthe need for many of these tax preferences is long overdue.”

“Meanwhile, Congress should pass temporary tax preferenceswithin the first quarter of the year in order to provide certainty andto encourage investment. Agriculture is one example of the harmsto economic growth and employment that result from high taxrates and tax uncertainty.”

The Institute for Policy Innovation (IPI) is an independent, non-profit public policy organization based in Dallas.


Greater Southern California Branch of ECBCAnnounces it’s

Branch Annual MeetingJune 6, 2015

11:00 AMLos Angeles area

Exact address will be e-mailed to membersor contact Maxine or Tabitha

[email protected] [email protected]

This is a Pot Luck lunch -please bring a dish to share

11:00 AM Business Meeting and electionsImmediately followed by Wisconsin animal impound update and Ranch Certification training,Immediately followed by A Pelting Demonstration

Blue Cloud © Dust Bath

Contact Cynthia Harris forInformation and Distributors list:Blue Cloud © Mineral Company

P.O. Box 800520Santa Clarita, CA [email protected]

(661) 252-7808 office

16

Largest Chinchilla Ranchin Central Mexico

● Standards● Beige● Ebony

● Pink-White

For quality breeding stock contact :

Francisco Javier Bustamante CastilloDirector de Produccion y VentasCel: 5530059349, 5530249787www.premiumchinchilla.com

All ECBCmembers welcome!

Please RSVP so wehave a head count

for food


The Time is Right to Give the Gift of Empress Membership!For only $25 you can give a 1 year membership to Empress Chinchilla!Your recipient will receive 12 educational magazines about the animals they love,1 for each month, delivered directly to their inbox

Act today and both you and your recipient may win a Dark Star Herd Improvement Chinchilla!Offer ends May 1, 2015

17

EMPRESS OffersEducational Seminars

Empress has a number of training topics that have been developedand we are now able to go to different areas and present educa-tional seminars to chinchilla producers.

Pictured here, Gary Neubauer is demonstrating to the MexicanRanchers in Lerma, MX, the various fur qualities of the chinchilla. Showing how to choose and mate animals to pro-duce desired qualities.

If you would like to sponsor an educational seminar in your area, contact the National Office for more [email protected].

More presentations are being developed all the time. Listed below are some of the topics currently available:

Improving Production Grooming Animals for ShowWater Quality Grooming Pelts for ShowDeveloping Your Prize Winning Herd Choosing Quality HaySaving Babies Recognizing Fur QualitiesWhat did the Judge Mean by that - Fur Terminology Air FlowMaintaining a Healthy Herd Making Roses from your PeltsChinchilla Animal Husbandry

Magazine Advertising

Cages For Sale $25.00 each

3 hole and 4 hole Weaner Cages

Shoots/Ryerson style wood/wire.

All have tip in dusters, feeders,supplement cups and Edstrom waterers

315-689-7494 (NY area)


CALIFORNIA

Diamond BlueBill BookerNorra Horton261 Paradise Canyon RoadSalinas, CA [email protected]

Fur Ball RanchRod & Donna Read14560 Boy Scout Camp Rd.Frazier Pk, CA [email protected]@gmail.com

Chinchilla ChateauSumiko De La VegaManteca, CA(209) 679-4736Chinchillachateau@gmail.comchinchillachateau.googlepages.com

RDZC RanchTabitha Lindsay714.745.0484222 Sierra Vista St.Ridgecrest, CA [email protected]

Chinchillas Amore!Trina Davina916-412-4332ChinchillasAmore@gmail.comwww.4everchins.comwww.facebook.com/chinchillaamoreWwwchinchillasAmore.comOrangevale, CA 95622

Chinchilla VillaDanny Miller530-305-0391PO Box 150Colfax, CA [email protected]

COLORADO

Mt. View Chinchilla RanchMaynard & Calista Beitz3527 E. Locust StreetFt. Collins, CO 80524970.482.1834fax 970.482.4837

Silver Spruce ChinchillasRoger & Kathy Clark43188 Cottonwood Creek RdCrawford, CO [email protected]

Sirs ChinchillasJohn Suhr2010 46th Ave. #8Greeley, CO [email protected]

Cow Creek RanchLucinda Zeller28350 RCR 43Steamboat Springs, CO 80487970.879.5811

Cuddle Bug ChinchillasCornellia Kern4220 S. Andes WayAurora, CO [email protected]@cuddlebug.dyndns.org

FLORIDA

Lyn’s ChinsLyn Sedwick ShusterOrlando, [email protected]

Sunshine ChinchillasJennifer RichTitusville, FL 32780407-376-2515sunshinechins@live.comwww.sunshinechinchillas.com/www.facebook.com/sunshinechinchillas

IDAHOCraner Family ChinchillasJoAnne [email protected]

KANSAS

M&C ChinsMike & Connie Lawrence1175 Quail RoadBurlington, KS 66839p/fax [email protected]

ILLINOIS

Curious ChinchillasIva HeglandPlainfield, [email protected]

MICHIGAN

Jacqie DiemClio, Mi [email protected]/mid.michigan.chinchillas

MINNESOTA

Dan & Ann Harris2210 N. North Ave.Fairmont, MN [email protected]

Moulton Chinchilla RanchDan Moulton976 14th Ave, SWRochester, MN 55902507.288.6334fax [email protected]

MISSOURI

Kansas City ChinchillasCathy KaneKansas, City, MO 64912816.547.8721CathleenMarieKane@msn.comKansas.City.Chinchillas.org

Blue Star Chinchilla RanchDaniel & Megan Jensen23513 Reap LnWaynesville, MO [email protected]

Double Chins 'n' StuffNancy McConkey4601 Littlebury DriveSt. Louis, MO [email protected]

NEBRASKA

James R. Butler210 W. EighthValentine, NE 69201402.376.2755

Mark Miller ChinchillasSeward, NE [email protected]

NORTH CAROLINALinda Lucas1278 Mountain View Dr.Asheboro, NC [email protected]

Tiffany’s ChinchillasTiffany Whitlow, Roxboro, NC336.504.3784Tiffanyschinchillas@gmail.comwww.tiffanyschinchillas.comOHIORalph & Barbara Shoots7960 New Albany Condit RdWesterville, OH 43081614.855.1762shootschinchilla@aol.comwww.shootschinchilla.com

Ryerson Chinchilla RanchRich & Jan Ryerson5067 New State RoadPlymouth, OH 44865419.687.1071fax [email protected]

Royal Oaks Chinchilla RanchRobert & June Baar4843 New State RoadPlymouth, OH 44865P/fax [email protected]

Jim & Amanda Ritterspach7754 St. Rt 103Jenera, OH [email protected]

Hendryx ChinchillasJuanita HendryxMorro, OH [email protected]

A Warrior’s Gift - ChinchillasCoty May893 Belden Ave.Akron, OH [email protected]

BREEDER DIRECTORY

18


OHIO Con’t

Whimsical Chinchilla’s WIMZLeanne HuxtableSummit County, [email protected]

OREGON

Dark Star ChinchillasDoug Griffith & Gene Adcock541-688-2631Darkstarchins@[email protected]

TENNESSEE

East Tennessee ChinchillasSteve & Merrie DowneyKnoxville, TN [email protected]

TEXAS

CCCUTamara Tucker &Pam Biggers3400 Tynedale LaneAmarillo, TX 79118806.622.9473fax [email protected]

UTAH

PSK Chinchilla RanchPete & Sue KiseskeyP.O. Box 1722Parowan, UT [email protected]

Craner Family ChinchillasCasey & Amanda [email protected]

WASHINGTON

Cascade ChinchillasLinda M. Clark7022 Dibble Ave. NWSeattle, WA 98117206.782.3218 [email protected]

REGION lCALIFORNIA GROUPP – David [email protected]

S – Tabitha [email protected]

NORTHERN CAP- David [email protected] - Jeremiah [email protected]

SOUTHERN CAP – Tabitha [email protected] – Rod [email protected]

WASHINGTONP-Ryan [email protected] Marty Hull

WESTERN CANADAP -Kristine [email protected] llCOLORADOP – Roger [email protected] Calista Beitz970.482.1834

HEARTLANDP – Mike [email protected] – Connie [email protected]

GREATER KANSAS CITYP – Mike [email protected] – Bob [email protected]

SOUTHERN MNP – Dan Moulton507.288.6334S -Anna [email protected]

OKLAHOMAP – Tamara Tucker

S – Pam Biggers

REGION lll

OHIOP – Ralph [email protected] – Barbara [email protected]

WESTERN OHIOP – Jim Ritterspach419.326.6985S – Jan [email protected]

WISCONSINP – Wendy [email protected] – Brenda [email protected]

19

Chinn's Chilla RanchRenton, WA(206)[email protected]

WISCONSIN

B&B ChinchillasBrenda Walter4354 Hwy YDodgeville, WI [email protected]

Wendy TorgersonWK’s Designer Chins2022 Coneflower WayMosinee, WI [email protected]

Bobbie’s ChinchillasBobbie Schultz715-797-0402Chinchillasnhockey@gmail.comBobbieschinchillas.com

INTERNATIONAL

ARGENTINAChinchillas Cinco EstrellasVicente & Marina [email protected]

CANADA

BC Chinchilla HouseKristine & Aaron BudlongLangley, BC [email protected]

C.T. ChinsCathy TeunissenCalgary, Alberta [email protected]

MEXICO

Chinchilla XimocoPatricia PerrinApartado Postal 4156900 Amecameca, Mexico597.976.7464wwwchinchillaximoco.cominformacion@chinchillaximoco.com

MEXICOChinchillas La PalomaAgua Prieta, Sonora [email protected]@gmail.com

Premium ChinchillaFrancisco Javier BustamanteCastillo - Production [email protected]

Unauthorized reproduction or forwarding of this document isprohibited and may be cause for membership cancellation

2015The Year Of E

Animals born in 2015 shouldhave an identifying numberassigned to them starting withthe letter E then the animalnumber. Here is the list forthe next couple years

2016 F2017 H


Educational Research and Development Foundation ofEmpress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc.

Application for MembershipName: ______________________________ Phone _____________________________Address:_____________________________ ______________________________ E-Mail ______________________________ ______________________________STEP 1 MEMBERSHIP TYPE (please check one)

□ $75.00 Full Membership with hard copy Magazine Full voting privileges. Ability to hold branch and national offices. Receives hardcopy of the monthly magazine. Ability to show at all shows. Receives membership discounts on supplies an at Empress events.

□$45.00 Full Membership with Electronic Magazine and hard copy of the June show issue. Full voting privileges. Ability to holdbranch and national offices. Ability to show at all shows. Receives membership discounts on supplies and at Empress events.

□ $15.00 Associate Membership Ability to show at all shows. Must be a spouse or partner of full member. Receives discounts on all educa-tional seminars and meetings. May hold office at branch level. Does not receive a magazine.

□ $45.00 International Membership Receives electronic magazine. Due to the rising costs of international mail, our international mem-bers will receive the monthly magazine by electronic copy only.

□ $25.00 4-H Membership Must be a 4-H or FFA member and sponsored by a by a branch. Has ability to show in all shows. Receives an elec-tronic version of the monthly magazine. Cannot hold office at branch or national level. Has no voting privileges. Receives membership discount on suppliesand at Empress events.

□ $25.00 Introductory Membership. For NEW Empress members only. Receives electronic version of the monthlymagazine only. Able to attend all shows and Empress events and receive membership discount rates. No voting privileges.Introductory rate may be purchased for up to 2 years at $25 per year.

STEP 2 BRAND REGISTRATION – if you intend to show animals you MUST register a brand

□ $5 Brand Identification Registration. Members who want to show their animals must register a brand. Please indicate you brand preference using a combination of three or four capitol letters or numbers (the number 1 and the letters I, O and Q are excluded). You may use a “_” or “/” in place or a number or letter. A brand is required to enter a show.

BRAND 1st choice ________________ 2nd choice __________________ 3rd choice __________________

STEP 3 Please read ECBC Code of EthicsThe Code of Ethics, formulated by the National Board of Directors and adopted by the membership, constitutes the guidelines of conduct for all members ofthe Cooperative. In applying for membership and with my signature here-under attached as provided, I subscribe to the full compliance of this code.

§ Do not orally or in writing do anything to bring Empress Chinchilla or the fur industry into disrepute§ Do not misrepresent or exaggerate the quality or other characteristics of an animal or it’s offspring, or any product§ Do not represent that any animal is free from ailments, conditions, or habits from which freedom cannot be definitely assured, and made the basis

for a written representation§ Do not offer a buy-back incentive as a sales inducement§ Do not support a system, program, or policy in conflict with Empress§ Do accept the rights of others to ranch chinchilla for fur production. Humane methods must be used in all aspects of ranching§ Any user of the internet or other social media or cell phone must refrain from slanderous remarks toward any breeder or Empress

STEP 4 Please read and sign AffidavitI hereby represent that I am a producer of chinchilla, or the products thereof, and as such hereby apply for membership in the Educational, Research, andDevelopment Foundation of Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative, INC., and agree to the following conditions;

v To abide by the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Cooperationv To abide by the Code of Ethics of the Cooperativev To pay the annual fee, according to the membership classification provided and set by the National Board of Directors, herewith enclosedv Membership will be represented by only one personv I certify that I am not a member of, investigator for, or paid by any animal rights organizationv I accept the rights of any member to ranch chinchilla for fur productionv I understand Empress is organized and shall be operated on a cooperative basis to educate ranchers, and to promote, encourage, foster, and fa-

cilitate the economical, efficient, and orderly raising and breeding of chinchilla for the purpose of production and processing of chinchilla furv If I can no longer support the goals and purposes of this organization, I will voluntarily withdraw my membership. If my membership in Empress is

terminated by the Board of Directors, I will not challenge the termination.

To be completed by Applicant, Under penalty of perjury, I hereby agree to abide by all the conditions, the Code of Ethics, and Affidavit requirements to be-come a member of Empress Chinchilla Breeders Cooperative, Inc

Please complete, sign, enclose a check for the designatedSignature: ______________________________________ Date: ________________ amount and send to ECBC 5525 Heidi St., La Mesa, CA 91942


EdstromAutomated Watering System

Where we started:The concept of providing drinking water toanimals automatically was born from creativethinking, engineering wit, and a desire to makea difference. In 1969 Bill Edstrom Sr., a me-chanical engineer at an automotive companyin Milwaukee and a chinchilla hobbyist, knewit was time for a change. And that’s when heinvented an apparatus that would enable theautomated delivery of clean, fresh water toanimals living in cages.

Bill Edstrom is a lifetime Empress membersand recently attended the 2014 NationalShow.

Edstrom Automated Watering Systemincludes:

▪ Basic Pressure Regulator/FilterStation reduces incoming waterpressure

▪ Flex -tube is easy to install; softnon-toxic PVC tubing

▪ Tubing Stand-off keeps Flew-tube away from playful animals

▪ Original Drinking Valve andMounting Clip for fresh water atany time

▪ Drain Valve flushes water linesto ensure clean water

www.agselect.com

819 Bakke Ave., Waterford, WI 523185

Tel: 262.534.5181 800.558.5913

RDZC Ranch


Software for Chinchilla Breeders

The Chinchilla Register prints full-sized and miniature pedigrees, family portrait pedigrees, cagecards, inventories, return address labels, business cards, show entries and more. It keeps track ofwinnings, litter data, buyers & sellers, mailing lists and financial data. There are many styles ofpedigree printouts to choose from, the pedigrees print in color, and you may include a logo or theanimal’s picture. The program stores and displays any number of generations of ancestors, with upto 7 generations visible on the screen at one time. Present program capacity is roughly 28,000animals. Expanded capacity will be available in March 2013.

This software was specifically designed with the computer novice in mind, and is very easy to use.Evans Software has been producing software for animal breeders for 23 years, and we provideunlimited free technical support. Our program requires an IBM-compatible computer with WindowsXP, Vista or 7. Cost for the Chinchilla Register is US$69 by download, slightly more if ordered onCD.

Visit our web site for complete details, and to download a demo version of the program.Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to receive a bro-chure with sample printouts. Order by mail, on-line or by phone. We accept Visa, Master-Card, Discover, & PayPal.

Evans Software ServicesWeb site: http://evsoft.usEmail: [email protected]

PO Box 1534 Lanesboro MA 01237 Phone: 413-499-0426

AngorachinchillasUSA.com


Sullivan Fur Dressing

SULLIVAN FUR DRESSING HAS BEEN PROCESSING CHINCHILLA PELTS SINCE 1956

We work because we were r

We have the dressing process and finest finishing of Chinchilla fur available anywhere.

We have had a long lasting association with CANCHILLA ASSOCIATES LIMITED

Brent will schedule pelt buys here at our plant as he has done in the pastas the supply of pelts becomes sufficient for a buy.

Call us for details and dates.

Distributor for Blue Cloud dust and pelting supplies

Don't settle for less than the best.Call Pete or Susan today!

435 [email protected]


Pe riodic al USPS #175-860

Email:[email protected]

Please rush this latest issue to:

Chinchilla La Paloma

Contacts: Bernice Teran Villalobos Gary Neubauer 480-737-1788 (Spanish & English) [email protected] [email protected] (English)

Documents

What is a Black Pearl? Pg 12 - Empress Chinchilla fileWhat is a Black Pearl? Pg 12 ... Spring matings Spanish & English 6 ... great stuff and easy to test! The Black Pearls, article