Introducing

[rwthoo]

I have a 4 year old female Chinchilla, named Tweak. I've had her for about 9 months now and she seems quite happy. I've read online that chinchillas like company, so when I found out a friend of mine wanted to get ride of one of his chinchillas I took a chance. I now have a 3 year old male chinchilla named Cody. Cody use to live with another 4 year old male chinchilla and is quite friendly. While Tweak is a little bit territorial, I read online about all the methods used for introduction. I've put them in separate cages, spaced enough for them to smell each other. I've also let them play together with the dust bowl, I keep a close eye on them at all times. Unfortunately, Tweak keeps biting him and pulling out fur, it's been about a month now. I'm starting to get worried, Tweak seems to attack Cody every time and it's always in the same spot, (so he's got a dent in his fur). I dare not use such methods as the smooshed method. I'm I doing something wrong??? I'm really worried about Cody, should I keep them seperate?

 

[Riven]

Have you done your research on breeding? Are you sure they are both boys/girls as they are supposed to be?

 

[rwthoo]

Have you done your research on breeding? Are you sure they are both boys/girls as they are supposed to be?

One is definitely a boy, and the other a girl. I've looked up ways to get males and females to get along, but they seem unsuccessful. I'm unsure what this may do with breeding.

 

[Ash]

Male + Female = Kits. That's what it has to do with breeding.

 

[Riven]

Are you serious?! Do you think you'll put a male and a female together and just tell them not to have any babies?

If you put a male with a female... you are a breeder. Can I ask how old you are?

 

[rwthoo]

Are you serious?! Do you think you'll put a male and a female together and just tell them not to have any babies?

If you put a male with a female... you are a breeder. Can I ask how old you are?

That goes without saying, and is inexplicably obvious, however it is also completely unrelated in regards to my question.

To reiterate, why do they fight? That's what I'm asking. If it's simply because one is male and one is female then why not simply say that instead of being vague? I've done research on this and have read that male and female chins can be put together successfully and this leads me to ask the question of why mine don't seem to bond.

Also, no, you wouldn't be a breeder simply from putting them together. Only if my intent was for them to mate would I be one. Furthermore, my age is irrelevant.

 

[V_I]

I, unfortunately, don't have any helpful information to give on your question as I'm not sure myself, but I simply had to comment on the fact that people (out of nowhere) assume you're a breeder.

It's not even something you suggest in your initial post... >__>;

EDIT: Actually, my sister has two rabbits and it took her a LONG time to get them to be friendly. Perseverance = win? Whether or not they're fixed isn't something I'm aware of, but I don't know.

 

[AZChins]

They could be fighting for lots of different reasons. Most of those reasons are probably hormonal in origin. Please be careful because the female may decide to hurt the male if he gets too aggressive. Most of the time putting a male in with a female leads to the male mounting the female and this can cause fights.

If you do get them together, they will probably have babies. Please be certain that this is what you want to do. Sometimes it doesn't work out as planned and can lead to the babies or even the mother dying. Putting a male and a female together is considered breeding those two animals...that's why they are saying what they are in this thread even if you don't consider what you are suggesting to be breeding.

 

[rwthoo]

They could be fighting for lots of different reasons. Most of those reasons are probably hormonal in origin. Please be careful because the female may decide to hurt the male if he gets too aggressive. Most of the time putting a male in with a female leads to the male mounting the female and this can cause fights.

If you do get them together, they will probably have babies. Please be certain that this is what you want to do. Sometimes it doesn't work out as planned and can lead to the babies or even the mother dying. Putting a male and a female together is considered breeding those two animals...that's why they are saying what they are in this thread even if you don't consider what you are suggesting to be breeding.

Thank you for an actually informative reply! This has been most helpful. However, in terms of who's being aggressive, it's more the (older) female who will, as it seems, launch her attack on the (younger) male for, as far as I can tell, no reason! If it has something to do with the fact that neither are fixed (I have heard that complications can arise for female chins being fixed) perhaps I should start saving up for the male to get fixed but I have heard there could be complications with males as well being such small, delicate animals.

On the same note, whenever the fights occur, there's never been an instance where the male attempted to "mount" the female, nor has he ever been near or directly behind her. It's more often than not her coming at him from a distance, almost on a territorial war path! Are you suggesting that by putting them together, while both are "un-fixed", they think I am trying to breed them and hostility emerges from this? If so, I can see where the territorial aspect may come into play from the female because I can imagine this might not be what she wants at all...

Thank you for the suggestions and information, AZChins!

 

[V_I]

They could be fighting for lots of different reasons. Most of those reasons are probably hormonal in origin. Please be careful because the female may decide to hurt the male if he gets too aggressive. Most of the time putting a male in with a female leads to the male mounting the female and this can cause fights.

If you do get them together, they will probably have babies. Please be certain that this is what you want to do. Sometimes it doesn't work out as planned and can lead to the babies or even the mother dying. Putting a male and a female together is considered breeding those two animals...that's why they are saying what they are in this thread even if you don't consider what you are suggesting to be breeding.

Yay! Someone who's actually helping now! Good info there, RWThoo. You should take some of his advice ^_^

EDIT: I see you have, and will! :3

 

[AZChins]

Well...she probably knows what he will want to do. Males and females have strange little relationships, especially in the beginning. Females can be extremely hostile towards males. Normally if a pair of chins of the opposite sex do not get along, it's because the female isn't accepting of the male. It's normally the female that is the more dominant partner in the relationship.

Of course, it could just be a territory thing. Some chins will NOT allow other chins to come into their territory without a fight. It's never a good idea to just plop a chin into another chin's cage. Neutral areas are better... I always start with a freshly scrubbed cage that no one has declared his or her territory.

Neutering is an option for your little guy. I don't like to have chins neutered unless it is absolutely necessary. It can be a difficult procedure. Make sure that if you have that done that you find a vet with experience with small animals.

Don't be hard on people asking why you are breeding or if you are wanting to be a breeder. Around here a lot of us deal with a lot of backyard breeders. Personally, I have at least two people a week calling me to ask about breeding. Don't get into breeding, it just leads to trouble. Keep a few happy pets...it's so much less stress! I haven't had a vacation in over 11 years.... Don't be like me. Oh, and the six legged space alien looking kit wasn't much fun, either...

 

[RDZCRanch]

Even if Cody is not actively mounting Tweak it is entirely possible that he is giving her indications he wants to mate. If she is in heat (very hard to tell when inexperienced) then she will be more territorial and more aggravated by the presence of another chinchilla. It is also entirely possible that because she is four years old and, I'm assuming, has been alone for that time, she is not properly socialized and does not "like" other chinchillas.

If you want them to both be healthy spoiled pets, yes, keep them separate.

Also, the logic evidenced in the first responses you received is easy to follow. If you knowingly put a male and female that are both unaltered into the same cage KNOWING they can and will breed, then you are intentionally doing so. Thus, whether you agree or not, you are the breeder of the resulting babies and therefore A breeder.

 

[AZChins]

Can and will breed...that's very true! 111 days or so later there could be little wiggly kits born.

That time that females are in heat can be quite an explosive time. They tend to get really moody right around then...

 

[rwthoo]

Thank you for the replies, this has been a lot of help. I merely want to clarify that I have put the chins in separate cages, but only close to sniff each other. However, they try to get at each other through the bars. As well as I do let them run around in a neutral area, and keep a very close eye on them. Although I understand that when a male and female are mentioned, mating does come into mind, however, I DO NOT intend on breeding them in any way. I understand the fact that chinchilla breeding is very complicated and dangerous, as well as neutering and/or spaying. My research has also shown that male and female chinchillas have gotten along in the same cage without problems, hence why I decided to try it. If they do not get along I am perfectly capable in keeping them in separate cages. I love my chinchillas and will do what ever I can for them.

I was, however, discourage by the fact that people assume I don't know what I am doing and ask my age to try and further prove some sort of incompetence. It is just me or does anyone else find that irrelevant? Once again, I thanks to through how've help.

 

[RDZCRanch]

Age can be irrelevant, but it's not always so. I know 50 year olds that take care of chinchillas and animals worse than 12 year olds. I do have to say that the vast majority of younger people I've known who own chins do not have the maturity it takes to truly have the chinchilla's best interest at heart.

Chinchillas can and will breed through the bars of cages. They can breed in seconds. If you blink while they are playing...he could have mated her and I am not joking. Having witnessed numerous chinchillas breeding, most males can breed and impregnate a female in two seconds or less.

Same sex pairs have the same amount of likelihood to get along as a male/female pair. Chinchillas are herd animals and as such usually get along well with chinchillas of any gender. If you want to keep them as pets and you REALLY want friends for them, I suggest adopting same sex partners for them and not allowing mutual playtime. Or, you can get Cody neutered and try to introduce them again after 6 weeks. Chinchilla neutering can be done safely but rodents and other small animals have a much higher likelihood of dying from complications from the anesthesia than dogs or cats. Choose the vet carefully and make sure they have experience.

 

[ticklechin]

I am unclear why you would go through the effort of trying to introduce a male and female if you don't want to breed? Are there not any rescues in your area where you can give a same sex chin a good home?

 

[Riven]

The reason I asked your age is because often CHILDREN don't understand what how babies are made. Therefore asking your age is completely relevant to the OP because it would change the way the thread progressed.

If you put a male with a female you ARE A BREEDER. I have no problems with breeders, I am a breeder, I have a lot of friends who are breeders. But if you're going to breed do it for the right reasons and try to improve the species. The female you got from the the HS... so I doubt there is any background information on her, is she carrying malo? Genetic heart issues? Who knows.

Let me reiterate, if you put a male with a female you ARE A BREEDER. You act as if you know that a male and female WILL mate. Not maybe mate, they WILL MATE. But yet you say you're not breeding them, but you're putting them into the same cage. That makes you a breeder no matter which way you want to look at it. Pet owners don't put males and females together, breeders do.

As for why they're fighting, it's territorial. It's not often that you can put two adult chins together and they just hop off into the sunset holding paws and snuggling, especially with a 4 yr old chin who has probably spent all of her life alone.

 

[ticklechin]

Oh yeah, the fighting question, they are fighting because they are chinchillas and that is often what chinchillas do. Its why its not fair to put these two chins through a into process that can result in injury if you are going to eventually have to separate them due to birth. They can't stay together forever unless you want to wear the female out from multiple pregnancies so why bother to do it. What will you do with the kits if I may ask? The pet quality chin adoption market has pretty much dried up so be prepared to take care of lots of chins.

 

[Tagna]

should I keep them seperate?

YES! Keep them separate! They will be happier, you will be happier without the added vet bills from pregnancy gone wrong and you can focus on spoiling them in separate cages without the worry and stress.

 

[V_I]

If you put a male with a female you ARE A BREEDER.
...
Let me reiterate, if you put a male with a female you ARE A BREEDER.

Sure, in the same cage, perhaps, but if you read the OP and subsequent posts you might have read that the OP's intent wasn't to breed them, ergo, not a breeder.

The reason I asked your age is because often CHILDREN don't understand what how babies are made. Therefore asking your age is completely relevant to the OP because it would change the way the thread progressed.

I highly doubt that from the original post that the poster can be considered a child or anything close. Inexperienced, maybe, but a child? No.

But yet you say you're not breeding them, but you're putting them into the same cage. That makes you a breeder no matter which way you want to look at it. Pet owners don't put males and females together, breeders do.

Another place where reading the post might have helped... =\

Ultimately, I agree with the other posters though, RW. Look into a good, experienced, and trained vet. Perhaps even ask your local small animal vets if they've performed any successful chin fixes! You might be surprised what you find with luck!