Post-partum territorial issues?

[weaselkidsmom]

We were given two girl chins (cagemates) who were both pregnant. Mama 1 had her babies last week. Mama 2 had her babies yesterday. Both moms were doing an amazing job - nursing each others kits, etc. But last night, Mama 2 seems to have been getting pushy with Mama 1 - we went in this morning and Mama 1's fur is everywhere and she's barking every time 2 comes close. We had closed in the cage a bit since we didn't want the babies climbing too high, so we opened it all back up, and all is fine right now. Is this going to be a permanent problem or is it just hormonal?

 

[alli713]

I'm not a breeder, so I can't help you with that aspect of it, but I do know that if you came back to a chin's fur all over the cage, those chins should be separated.

When chins fight, they can fight to the death. And also she could act out against the kits.

If it were me, I would separate them. And then perhaps when babies are weaned see if you can reintroduce them..

 

[tunes]

Some chins, while appearing to be happy cage mates pre-pregnancy, totally change after the kits are born. They just cannot be together. It's why I preach to always be vigilant when it comes to trios or more.

I would definitely separate the two moms and their respective kits and keep them apart until at least after weaning. You may be able to get them back together afterwards, but the aggressor may just become to territorial at that point.

 

[Claire D]

I'll second Alli and Peggy's posts. If there's been fur flying then it is best to separate the chins and kits because you just don't know how far the aggression will go - it's not worth risking either the kits being trampled during a spat or one of the females killing the other.

Good luck and please do keep us posted.

 

[starleomach]

I agree. I had a mom turn on another females kits once hers were born, killed them both even though they had been fine togther with all 4 kits for 2 days. Now that female is in a pair rather than a trio. If there is fur all over that is bad you do not want to risk the other female or her kits

 

[weaselkidsmom]

Thanks everyone. Luckily they were sleeping when I left - I'm on my way home now and will separate them - we weren't expecting the babies (we were told when we got the girls that they "might" be pregnant and there was no idea of conception date) so we will get another cage ASAP.