Attempting a trio

[Brittney]

So my 3 boys are side by side in different cages. It's been a few of weeks and I still haven't tried intros yet. Their cages are about 3-4 inches apart from each other. Bryson and Ande are in the same cage and Charlie is by himself. I want to attempt a trio at some point, but I don't want to rush it. Charlie and Bryson sniff each other through the bars and all is fine. Sometimes Charlie will snap at Bryson (That's what it looks like) but will squeak afterwards.. Now Ande, on the other hand, will charge at Charlie any time he is near the side of the cage. Definitely trying to get at him in an aggressive way and will keck the whole time. Does this mean that all hopes of an eventual trio are down the drain? Like I said, I haven't done intros yet, I'm a little nervous to try.

I'd like some tips on how I can eventually get a trio started. I am aware it may never happen and that is totally fine, I would just like to try it out.
Bryson is a little over a year old, and Ande just turned a year. Charlie is around 4 or 5 years old. Is Ande just being a butt due to puberty, or should he be past that?

Any tips or tricks for when I start intros are very much needed. Ande and Bryson bonded straight away, I didn't even have to try, adding a 3rd might not fit their wants.

I don't think it would be fair to pair up Charlie and Bryson and put Ande by himself. Ande loves Bryson very much and gets worried when he can't find him. Maybe if a trio doesn't work out, Bryson and Charlie could have playtime together?

Thanks.

 

[AZChins]

Chins seem to charge the side of the cage when any chin is near. They're weird like that and it doesn't mean that they will be mean to the chin once they are introduced.

Charlie is very good with other chins, or he was when he was here. If he feels comfortable , he will be very easy to put in with the boys. I'd let them have some playtime for a bit and see how they do. See if there is a chin that may act up a bit during that. You can trim the whiskers of the instigator to make him feel smaller...that works very well most of the time.

If you do try to put them all in the same cage, make sure that you make the cage a neutral place at first. I'd take out the shelves and introduce them into a plain cage with a new toy or something, put in a dust bath and let them roll together.

They just need to get along with each other and not gang up on any other one chin. I can always come help intro them the next time I am up your way.

 

[Brittney]

That would be great. Like I said, Bryson and Ande got along really well. I have no idea what I'm looking for as far as aggression.

 

[Stackie]

The thing with trios is, sometimes the new chin causes the already bonded pair to fight and you end up with 3 singles. So you have to be prepared for that.

I also don't think it would be fair to Ande and split him up from Bryson since they are already bonded. If Bryson and Charlie can have playtime together without creating any troubles between Bryson and Ande, that would be fine. But I wouldn't stress Ande out by taking away his friend. I have seen chins gets very, very depressed after losing their cagemate.

 

[VolunteerChin22]

It might be best to see if Bryson and Charlie can get along before attempting the trio. Sometimes when I want to introduce chins I put them in carriers and ride them around in the car for a while. I clean the cage as best I can to reduce smell, put them in with a dust bath, and then watch their behavior for a while after I put them in together. Something about being confused in the car seems to help. A little Vicks vapor rub on the top of the nose can help too. Good luck in any case...