started intros

[Jovi]

Wow.. intros have me stressed out! Quarantine is over and trying to intro Thunder to my guy Rocket. Rocket is 6 , Thunder is 7. Thunder has come along so nicely this past month. He is a sweet heart. He never had a playtime and is really getting used to them now. I can see such a change in him. He is getting so comfortable with me and has started to climb on me and even came up to me to take him out of the cage the other night. Rocket has been going nuts with Thunders cage near by. Running around his cage like a mad man and teeth chattering a little. I put them both in a new bathroom to try an intro and they ignored each other at first. Then they sniffed a little. The one being sniffed would kinda scoot away fast . Rocket tried to mount Thunder twice , which is what i figured would happen, Thunder made a little squeek and would scoot off. No fur flying, a little chasing but not much . A tiny scuffle and some teeth chattering . I decided to end it after 10 min on a good note. My heart was pounding to fast to take much more than that. The next try, they sniffed noses right away but Rocket looked like he attempted a quick nip but Thunder backed away fast enough and didnt get bit. He tried again and i ended the playdate right away . Third try, they pretty much ignored each other. Both were on my lap at one time but they didnt act they they noticed the other one. I kept it to 10 min and ended it on a good note. Not sure if that was a good or bad play time but at least no one got hurt. So .... can use some opinions. Does that sound pretty typical ? Should i be keeping them there longer ? Do i just keep going like i am until they groom each other or acknowledge each other in a positive way? I was really scared by the nip attempt..... is that a horrible sign ? Any advice as to how to proceed is great. Better to put some distraction like toys in the room or does that give them something to fight over? I gave them a dust bath in there big enough for the 2 of them but they went in separate .

 

[Laurie]

Patience is the key and it sure sounds like you're doing everything right so far. A little nip here and there is normal. One of my girls has a little notch missing from her ear during early intro attempts, but now she and her cagemate are in separable. I say try to increase the playtime to a little longer and see how things go. Slow and steady still wins the race! Make sure you know they are totally comfortable there before trying same cage would be my recommendation

 

[Jovi]

Here is a picture of their cages next to each other. The close up picture is my new guy Thunder in his favorite spot, peaking out of the hole in his hidey house. You can kinda see Rocket scrunching himself up against the corner of his cage trying to get to Thunders cage.

 

[Rickman]

I agree with Laurie - just take it easy - don't rush it!

 

[AZChins]

But look at those cages. You could probably put one in the other's cage and he wouldn't know for 20 minutes that another chin is in his house.

I'm just kidding...take it slow and easy. Watch for aggression because they will probably be a bit territorial for awhile. Hopefully they will learn to be friends and trust one another quickly.

 

[ChinchillaSteve]

Sounds good I think.

 

[Jovi]

Ugggh.. I want these guys together so badly but i am not cut out for this. 4th try and they ignored each other for a while and then when rocket was sniffing Thunders side he decided to try to taste a chunk. I freaked out and snatched up Rocket . Thunder was ok... just some lose fur. I on the other hand am pretty sure i nearly had a heart attack. This is aggression and not dominance right? Rocket had lived with a buddy for his whole life until a couple months ago . I knew he would be the dominant one but i didn't expect him to be aggressive. :tantrum:

 

[Cuddlebug]

Jovi, If you are stressing out over it, they will pick up on it. that can make things harder. I know that you really want them together but if you feel that you can't handle it, then don't try anymore. You have 2 nice, big cages and your chins will be happy either way.

Just wanted to add. You could find someone who is will ing to help you intro the chins. It might make it easier on you.

 

[Rickman]

Go start your car with the air on full blast - put your chins in a small carrier and go for a drive - 30 or 45 minutes, come back, wipe down one of the cages, and put them together - should work out!!