A survey assessment of the incidence of fur-chewing in commercial chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) farms (2007)

Ponzio, M. F., Busso, J. M., Ruiz, R. D. et al.

Abstract

The establishment and maintenance of intensive captive breeding programmes lead to the description of a behaviour usually called 'fur-chewing' (or fur-biting'). Fur-chewers will chew their own fur either constantly, or at intervals, usually at their hips and sides about half-way down the length of the hair. If the chewer is paired, they tend to chew the fur of the other chinchillas and their offspring as well. One of the earliest theories was that the affected animals suffer from malnutrition and chew their fur to meet their dietary requirements. Some authors have suggested that this behaviour may be induced by inappropriate environmental conditions, boredom or stress. A few studies have clearly supported the hypothesis that fur-chewing is a stress-related behaviour: Vanjonack and Johnson (1973) reported an increased thyroid and adrenocortical activity (confirmed by histopathological findings) in affected animals. More recently, Tisljar et al. (2002) corroborated the development of adrenocortical hyperplasia.