New Chin!

BenD188 · May 19, 2009

Alright.. I got a third chinchilla over the weekend. I attached a picture of him. He is an Ebony male, just under a year old. He is shy when I come up to the cage, but he will let me hold him. If I walk into the room he will run and hide in his tube and will just sit there, but I know he is moving around because his toys get rearranged and his food/water goes down.

My large cage that houses my 2 chins and hopefully soon all three is 4ftX4fX2ft. My small cage that is housing me new chin is 3ftX1.5ftX1.5ft.

As I have said in another post somewhere.. I am going to be trying to introduce him to my two existing males. During the intro process I will be wanting to swap their cages. Do you think I can put the 2 chins in the smaller cage for a couple days and it would be alright? They are used to a much bigger cage and I don't know how much they will care that they are in that small cage.

Sasha · May 19, 2009

Are you doing quarantine? I would wait the recommended 30days before you introduce the chins together.

BenD188 · May 19, 2009

Yes. I am suggesting can I do this after I quarantine for 30 days, then have their cages side by side for a week or so, then try swapping their cages. Then try neutral playtime. If they establish dominance without biting each other try putting them all in a cage for a while while I am sitting by the cage watching them.

Sasha · May 19, 2009

Yes, of course. Just take it nice and slow. Keep their cages (after quarantine) side by side for a couple weeks, then move on to the next step.

I think it would be okay for them to be in the smaller cage for just a couple days while you are intro'ing.

Good luck with your intros. Good to have a plan before hand

And congratz on your new chinnie, what a cutie!

BenD188 · May 19, 2009

Thanks, I was thinking that it would be fine for a couple days, but I wanted to make sure others thought it wouldn't be a huge deal. I have done some research and hope this will work!

My plan :

- Quarantine for 30 days
- Place cages side by side for a two weeks
- Swap cages for 2 or 3 days
- Try a neutral playtime. Expecting them to possibly stand on their back legs, kack, do a little chasing and humping. As long as they don't bite or chase each other too much.
- If playtime worked, then repeat a couple times then try to put them all the same cage while being right there to watch them in case anything happens.
- If it didn't work then try trimming their whiskers to around 1-2". If that doesn't work I will try the dab of vanilla on their nose.

If those don't work then I could try the smoosh method I guess. I will be giving them probably a week apart between failed attempts to join them during all of this.

IslandDreamer322 · May 19, 2009

That sounds like a good plan. Watch them very carefully at playtime because there will most likely be some kacking and humping as you said. Your new guy is adorable. Reminds me of our oldest Louie. Best of luck on the intros. Let us know how it goes!!

mishellyshel · May 19, 2009

he is very cute and you seem like you have a solid plan! of course even the best laid plans dont always work, so have a plan b. i have my 2 boys living next to eachother because i wasnt comfortable with their interaction. its funny though cause they are constantly sitting next to eachother & reaching through the cage & rubbing noses but put them together during playtime and they just cant seem to get along. I do wish you better success!

Chinniechantel · May 19, 2009

What a cute boy he is! Chins can live in a smaller cage for a few days with no problems. I would remove that log thing you have in the picture, they have too much honey/sugar for chins. Good luck with intros!