Edgy few days.

[Porce]

So I'm now the proud "dad" to Starla (**** Ebony) and Luna (Ebony Mosaic) after the long, long wait!

Just a few questions and concerns I'm hoping you can help me out with.

Despite only being days apart in terms of age Luna is quite a bit bigger than Starla. I've read somewhere that it's not unusual for pure Ebony to take a little longer to mature/reach their full potential? I'm not overly concerned about this but thought I'd mention it.

Luna also likes to try and hump Starla on occassion, again I assume she's trying to assert dominance but should I let them sort it out themselves or intervene when this happens?

Finally, and most concerning...they don't appear to spend much time together during the day. Luna has taken the high ground in the house upstairs (easily big enough for 2 of them) where she sleeps and poor old Starla is relegated under the bridge at the very bottom of the cage, which is where she sleeps. They seem to get on fine when they wake up around 17.30and have the odd snooze together after playing a bit, but I'm concerned that Luna has relegated Starla to the bottom at most other times.

As it goes Starla is the friendlier of the two, always up at the bars and nosing around. Luna is very skittish.

Perhaps I'm being too impatient. It's only been a few days, afterall.

Thanks folks.

 

[Stackie]

Chins just like people come in all sizes. There is no reason to be alarmed.

Yes, humping is a sign of dominance. Did these two grow up together or were they just recently paired? Either way, they are still trying to sort out who is boss. Do not intervene unless one is becoming obviously stressed, or if the humping turns into a full on chasing match or results in a large amount of slipped fur. It can take awhile for a hierarchy to be established, especially while chins are still young.

As for them spending time together, not all chins enjoy cuddling and they definitely don't cuddle all the time. If these two haven't been together long, they probably aren't "bonded" yet anyway. If they have been together for a bit, they are in an all new place. A new home, new cage, new smells, etc. can be stressful for chins.

 

[Porce]

Yes, they have only very recently been paired up. There's not been any full-on fights as far as I can tell and no fur has been slipped yet. Starla just sometimes gives the "get off me, that is not nice" grunt when Luna persists. I'll leave them to sort it out then.

Thanks for the response!