Fighting Chinchillas/bitten ear

[bearANDcappy]

Hi, I've had my two chinchillas for over a year now and they are brothers and have been together since they were born although recently they have been fighting a lot.
They first started fighting about 2 months ago and showing aggressive behaviours towards each other such as 'dominant mounting' (i don't know what it's called) and barking at each other a little. I supidly dismissed it as I thought since they were brothers etc they should be fine. A couple of weeks later, one of them started biting the fur out of the other's back and then after this I separated them for a couple of days and then when re-introduced they were fine. Although after a week of re-introducing they started fighting again and the cycle repeated again and again.
Although, I woke up this morning to find that the aggressive chinchilla (as its only one who starts the fights) has bitten part of the other chinchilla's ear and that a lot of fur is off his back. I only re-introduced them after another fight a week or so ago and this has happened.
The ear has 2-3 marks on it and has dried blood surrounding it and my chinchilla has been shaking a lot after last night. I've seperated them and I'm giving the injured chinchilla a long playtime/treats and dust baths to help calm him down but he's hiding in the corner of the room and won't run about as usual.
I'm really worried and I don't know what to do. Can anyone give me advice on how I should go about healing his ear, how to calm him down and what I should do about the conflict between the two chinchillas?? Thank you
>> I just want to put out there that my chinchillas are living in a 6+ feet tall cage with plenty of chew toys, a 16 inch wheel, high quality food and are given play times. And I'm almost certain these behaviours are not coming from stressful/poor conditions. Thank you xx

 

[Amethyst]

When having two chins together unfortunately this is one possible outcome, not all chins stay lifelong friends. You didn't say how old the chins where, but around 6 months to a year they do go through puberty, which can change their whole temperament, think teenage human. If they don't already have two of everything in the cage (water bottles, hay holders, food bowls, etc) they can also be fighting over resources.
Personally I would separate them permanently at this point, once blood is drawn they can no longer be trusted. Chins can and do fight to the death, I would take this as a good sign that things aren't going to work out, the next time they fight you could end up with one or both chins seriously hurt or dead.

As for the ear, you can use some Blu-Kote (if you have that stuff over there), on the wound if it's not actively bleeding and doesn't appear infected. Just make sure you wear gloves as that stuff stains hands purple. If it's still actively bleeding and/or looks red or infected a vet trip is needed. If you haven't already make sure you check over the whole chinchilla to make sure you didn't miss a bite somewhere else. I also wouldn't give dust baths until the wound is healed to prevent anything from getting into the bites.

 

[Dreamlite]

Once blood is drawn they have to be kept apart. Its not safe to leave them together for any amount of time. Chins have been known to kill cage mates they dont like

 

[bearANDcappy]

Thank you

Thank you for your help.
They are both about 1 and 1/2 years old so like you said part of the problem was maybe puberty. I'm really gutted about this as if I have to completely separate them, I'll have to give one away since l don't have the space for a second cage or time for two hours out the cage everyday ;(
I also feel like the fighting may have been caused due to the fact I recently changed their cage up and this may have upset them in some way.
I managed to find the Blu-kite stuff on the Uk site so thank you I will buy it. Although should I still use it despite the damage to his ear is relatively minor and stopped bleeding?
I apologise for the lengthy messages but I just want to mention that last night both of the chinchillas sounded as if they were crying and making squeaks at each other. Also they were smelling and 'kissing'(?) each other through the small gap between the two levels of the cage where they were separated. I just want to know if this is a aggressive - like 'back off' response or something they would do if they were lonely. Maybe I'm just desperate for the best outcome for me and I don't want to trick myself that things are better between them than they are so I just need an extra opinion. Thank you so much x

 

[Airyn]

I can't speak to the Blu-Kote, as I haven't had to use it (yet), BUT if you have a large enough cage with a wheel in each section, they really don't need an hour of out of cage playtime every day. I have 4 in two cages and let them out twice per week, one hour per pair. The adjustment for my older two was a challenge for a few weeks, but they've since adjusted really well. Since you said they're already separated by level, I'm guessing you have a Ferret Nation cage or similar, in which case the space is totally fine for a single chin.

Also, I agree that once blood is drawn, they should be separated permanently. It's heartbreaking, but I'd feel a lot worse if I woke up to a dead chin knowing I could've done something about it.

Good luck!

 

[Dreamlite]

Chins dont need 2 hours of play time. They dont need play time at all. They can get plenty of exercise in their cage. Unfortunately having two chins is always risking a fight. I advise getting single chins if people arent prepared for 2 cages. I would try to keep both chins, its really not fair to rehome one

 

[bearANDcappy]

Thank you again

Okay, that is quite re-assuring to hear about the time allowed out of the cage as I do have a three story cage (similar to critter nation) with a wheel and plenty of toys.
I also think it's unfair to re home one of them. My only concern is them getting lonely.. Xx

 

[Jessiebean7352]

i might have to separate one of my chins too...i have 3 in one cage last month i saw one with a patch if hair missing and now today i saw the other with a bite mark on his ear amd
now he is losing fur and it looks like he is biting himself they are brothers so i thought they would get along well but yes blood has been drawn so i think its time to put one in my other cage...that makes 3 separated chins for me since i have 4...