Davidson Chinchillas - Specialising in Charcoal Chinchillas

Sula and Calleigh both exhausted after a difficult birth

Calleigh was born on 27th April 2005 to Sula. Unfortunately it was a difficult birth for both Sula and Calleigh and I did not expect Calleigh to be born alive, let alone survive the first night.

It was a long and difficult labour and both mother and kit were exhausted by the ordeal. Sula was so bruised and exhausted that she could not cope with feeding Calleigh so she was fostered.

Calleigh is a doubly special addition to the Davidson Chinchilla herd; not only because she is the first pure recessive charcoal to be born but also because she will be the only kit from Sula. She will not be used for breeding again. Despite the rarity of pure charcoals in the UK and my goal to work with the mutation, I am not prepared to risk my beloved chinchillas. Sula is now happily retired and lives with Poppet.

Calleigh has come on in leaps and bounds since her traumatic entrance into this world. It is Calleigh's picture which adorns the Davidson Chinchillas Banner - it was taken a couple of weeks after she was born.

First photo shoot:

May 24th :

         
 

July 14th:

Calleigh is now an adult chinchilla and is a beautiful example of a true recessive charcoal. Her colouring is what I would describe as "old-style" - the lighter phase rather than the darker phase grey wrap.

                         
                                                                                                              No smile for the camera this time!

In January of 2006 I took Calleigh to the West Midlands & Wales Regional Show and entered her into the novice class. To my delight, she was awarded a 1st ribbon and the judge's comments were most encouraging and complimentary.