A New Friend

[Serenefire]

I got a new chinchilla today for my birthday and now I have no idea how to properly introduce her to Visenya. I have a critter nation cage so currently I closed off the ramp from the top to the bottom and I have played Nami in the top portion and Visenya is in the bottom. Visenya seems genuinely interested in her new friend, every time I peek in on them she is standing on her back legs with her nose up against the ramp. Nami on the other hand he behaving as I would expect any new baby, she's staying in corners and under hides.

So where do I go from here? Do I try some introductions in a neutral place? Do I let them stay that way a week or so and then let the ramp down? I would love some input. Additional info wise... they currently have seperate food bowls, water bottles, etc. Its basically top and bottom are their own cages at this moment. Visenya I purchased in November, she is less than a year old I know, but this little babe looks about 3/4 of Visenya's size. >,<

 

[Amethyst]

First of all new chins should be quarantined for 30 days from your current chin, as in separate cage and separate room. The 30 days allows any illness to show itself, and for the new chin to settle in. It's probably too late for that now in terms of preventing any possible illness transfer, but I would still keep them separate for the 30 days to allow the new chin to settle in and for you to get to know her.

After that time there are several intro options, no one size fits all though so you may have to try a few. If you do a search for intros you should get threads describing different methods. Keep in mind though intros can take time, days to months, so don't expect immediate friendship. Also sometimes even after trying for months, the friendship doesn't form. Not all chins want a cage mate, and not all chins get along with all chins (as in they may get along with one chin but not another), it all comes down to personalities and how well they mesh.