Sharing?

[buggyeyes]

I have a question about training my chinchillas. This is my first post so I'm sorry if it's misplaced!

I have two males. 1 approximately 3 years old (adopted about a month ago.) and 1 approximately 1 year old adopted approx 6 months ago. The younger (Squeakerz) is the dominant male and is very reluctant to share food with the elder (Chauncey). Squeakerz will sit on the food bowl, stay near it/keep his face in it to keep Chauncey away. Chauncey was shy to begin with so feeding is complicated. I sit with them when fresh food is put in and continually pick Squeakerz up off the food bowl and try to encourage Chauncey to eat but I am wondering is this typical dominant male behavior? Is there any additional step(s) I can take to correct this behavior problem?

Thanks.

 

[tunes]

Yep - Put in a second bowl. He can't sit on two at once. Put one in a completely separate part of the cage.

 

[Tillygizmo]

You might find the same problem with dusting. Prepare to get two of those as well! haha.

 

[ChinnyMom]

two water bottles and hay containers would be a good idea too, since Squeakerz (cute name btw!) is so dominant. you don't want him keeping Chauncey away from any of those things.

 

[buggyeyes]

You might find the same problem with dusting. Prepare to get two of those as well! haha.

The food is the only thing he is possessive with. He has no problem sharing water or the dust bath or toys or anything else.

 

[Godofgods]

Id get two bowls. And be preparred for two of other things as well. I have two males in one cage that both get their own bowl. At the same time i have 3 females in another cage that use the same bowl. But if their short on food or jsut moody that day, they will revert back to that agressive dominance of theirs. And my males have never had a problem with two bowls.