Question about intros

[suzi1780]

I will attempting a trio when Lizzy gets out of quarantine and my plan is to do side by side cages for a few days them try a playtime (in a neutral area) with all three having their whiskers trimmed and vanilla on their noses. Here is my question, do I use vanilla extract? I was looking in my pantry to see if I had some on hand already and I found “Imitation Vanilla Flavor” would this work?

I had a pretty easy intro with Maddie and Mitzie, just a few playtimes together and presto, I did not trim or use vanilla. But I know this one will be harder since it is a trio, wish me luck!

 

[tunes]

Yeah, just whatever regular kitchen vanilla you have. Just dab it over her nose, not on it, then you can dab it around the tail area as well, since they just haaave to sniff when they meet up.

 

[kimbt622]

I've never heard of using vanilla on their noses when introducing? I've only had to do the whisker trim twice, but does the vanilla help to neutralize their smells? Should it ALWAYS be done or only when there is some fighting between them? Thanks, I will be doing an intro in a couple months and may try this out.

 

[tunes]

I only use it if I think I need it, which is pretty rarely, but I do a different type of intro that doesn't require it.

 

[suzi1780]

I only use it if I think I need it, which is pretty rarely, but I do a different type of intro that doesn't require it.

Peggy you do a small cage in the big cage and swap chins in and out right? I had thought about this, but how would you work this with a trio? I don't have a show or travel cage but I thought a hamster cage might work

 

[tunes]

I have three show cages, so I just put two in, leave one out, and rotate. I always start with the more aggressive chins going in first and the more timid one out loose first.

I would imagine a hamster cage would work in the short-term, if you're big cage is large enough to accommodate it. I wold keep an eye though that they couldn't pop the top off of the cage. I'm thinking habitrail type cages though, not sure what you have to use.

 

[suzi1780]

I have got a ferret nation so plenty of room, I was thinking about something along these lines http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752706&lmdn=Pet+Type or http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753284&lmdn=Pet+Type of course with all the stuff taken out. I might be able to find something on craigslist for cheap. I just added a 143 to my 142 but I have it blocked off right now and I am going to wait until I intro all 3 to allow access to it, that way it is more neutral cage

 

[tunes]

You could just order show cages a heck of a lot cheaper. Ryerson's have them on their site. Two of the show cages, probably with shipping, would be less than one of those cages at Petsmart. Those are pretty pricey hammie cages for the quality anyway. Once you're done with the show cages, you could put them up for sale, or they come in handy at cage cleaning time if you need them, or even if you need a cage for quick medicating, etc.

Top left corner: http://www.ryersonchinchilla.com/

 

[suzi1780]

yep, I can get two for $24 bucks with shipping, thanks

How long do you normally leave them in there and for how many days do you do it for? Do you still trim whiskers?

 

[tunes]

I do it as long as I need to. I know that isn't very helpful, but that's the best I can tell you. I have some that after a few hours each, they get along great. Then there are others who take a couple days to adjust. You can get a pretty good feel for it once you put the two in and the one loose. If they go crazy biting at the bars of the cage, etc., then it may take a bit longer.

Make sense?

 

[momenteller]

Do you leave them in the small cage overnight? Or just during the day so you can observe?

 

[suzi1780]

I do it as long as I need to. I know that isn't very helpful, but that's the best I can tell you. I have some that after a few hours each, they get along great. Then there are others who take a couple days to adjust. You can get a pretty good feel for it once you put the two in and the one loose. If they go crazy biting at the bars of the cage, etc., then it may take a bit longer.

Make sense?

makes sense thanks for the help

 

[tunes]

Do you leave them in the small cage overnight? Or just during the day so you can observe?

I leave them overnight. It's not going to hurt them. It's a lot less time in the cage than they would be if I travel to a show or have them entered in a show. They do fine with it. I make sure I put a big pile of hay right in front of the cage (if the holes are larger) or on top of the cage so that they are forced to get really close and interact.

 

[JennyBug]

If you're worried about toe munching (one on the outside hops on top of the show cage), you could put something like a small towel on the top of the cage.

I tried to start a trio with an already established pair. One thing you should be prepared for is your pair having some squabbles, especially if the single chin sprays them. Carmen and Minnie were in the show cages while Trousers roamed free, and when it ws time to switch, I had to separate them. The nearest thing I could figure is that they didn't smell right to one another. They both needed some cool off time away from each other before we could put them back together. They are fine now, but be prepared for that and don't get discouraged!

Good luck!!