I am concerned. Should I be?

[chinlover420]

I've had my first chin for about a month. I rescued him from abuse and neglect. I got a 3 month old yesterday. The 3 month old dosent seem to mind my 6 year old. But my 6 year old is chattering his teeth on the bars of his cage right near where the 3 month olds cage is next to his. Other than that all other behaviors are normal. Is this normal? What does it mean? Help!!!

 

[JennyBug]

Introducing chinchillas can take some time. My husband and I are currently trying to form a quad with two pairs, and we are on day four of the cage-within-a-cage method (see a couple of the intro threads). Think about it: this six year old chinchilla has lived alone for quite some time. You're wanting to introduce a baby into the mix. I know if I suddenly had to live with someone I didn't know, I would be a little stressed.

Chinchillas need to form trust. You will have teeth chattering, chasing, and fur pulling; it's a part of having multiple chinchillas. Just be patient, wait until the chattering stops, then try introducing them in a neutral area. Read up on intros before you try!!

 

[alli713]

First off, for future purposes, you'll want to quarantine any new chin from your current chins for a month. In a totally separate room with no contact. This allows the new chin to settle into your home and reduces stress and allows you to make sure it isn't sick with a communicable illness. Some illnesses take up to a month to pop up and the move to a new home can cause stress to lower the immune system allowing them to get sick.

Since you've already put their cages next to each other this no longer applies. Just continue to watch both your chins for any sign of illness.

Your older chin sees a new chin coming into its territory. The best success I've had with intros was to put them together in a totally new area that neither had been before and let them play for a bit. Then I put them in a completely cleaned out cage with new accessories so neither had home turf so to speak.

 

[JennyBug]

Alli - he said in another thread that he had the rescue for about 3 months before getting the baby. Just so you know!!

 

[alli713]

I got a 3 month old yesterday.

Then what does this mean? It doesn't matter how long he's had the first chin, it's the second chin who needs to be quarantined.

 

[Parkerspetchins]

Quarantine aside since it is too late now, your chin is acting normal. Your older chin may never like the new chin. You always need to be prepared to have them separate if they don't get along. If you are planning to intro them at some point take your time, don't push it, and be sure that they are the same sex.

 

[JennyBug]

My bad, sorry, I got you! Duh...

 

[alli713]

lol no I just thought I was missing something. But like was stated, it's too late now for quarantine anyways, but should the OP ever decide to get another chin in the future it's important to quarantine. Especially if it's a rescue situation.

And like was also stated, they may never get along. I've done that before, get a new chin to be a buddy with a present chin and turns out they hate each other. It's just a chance you take.

 

[Brittany]

Hang in there. I'm going through something very similar at the moment. I've found that if you give them attention when they're clicking teeth or throwing an all out tantrum (like my girl) it just reinforces the bad behavior. So when my girl is acting out because of the new chin I just ignore her. If I go up to her cage to interact with her and she starts the tantrum then I just turn around and walk away. She's slowly learning that I won't deal with her when she's acting out. Also, like it's been stated I wouldn't attempt intros until the bad behavior stops. Good luck!

 

[Easterpiggy]

I have had this happen before. I think mostly the older chin want to know what the heck is going on. why is this fella here?? usually it will subside especially after they have been together. but like everyone else has said they just may not get along ever.

 

[chinlover420]

I didn't say I had the rescue for 3 months, I said I just bought a 3 month old. And I've had the rescue for 1 month! Sorry or the missunderstanding! I am also a chick, not a guy!

 

[Bostongirl'sChin75]

When I got my second chin and put them on the same table together, in side by side cages ( after quarantine ) they would do the same thing. After a few hours I noticed they were both starting to look really stressed so I had to put them on opposite sides of the room. The can still see each other and chat with another but I know they can never be side by side anymore. This may be the case with yours as well but here are some good vibes that they will be life long friends!

 

[chinlover420]

They are best buddies now, living together for about a week!