Trying to introduce 3 chinchillas

[cory_jack]

Hi,

We have three chinchillas, two of which were cagemates when we bought them. They have been in quarantine for about a month and a half, and we just tried to introduce them today using the cage within a cage method. It didn't go very well, and we are wondering if maybe we shouldn't continue to try to introduce them to one another. One's nose is bleeding slightly, and we think the hand on another is bleeding but haven't gotten close enough to tell for sure yet. What should we do?

Thanks,

Cory

 

[tunes]

It can be really hard introducing a third chin to an already bonded pair. Sometimes it can work, but more times it is darn near impossible.

If there is blood already, I would definitely back off on trying this. Some kacking, spraying, and a little loose fur is one thing. Bleeding and injuries is another.

What sexes are the three chins you are trying to introduce?

 

[InkedupTara]

I wouldn't have done the cage in cage with 2 and the poor guy in the cage was probably terrified. I would give them all time to calm down and start slow. Put cages side by side for a week or so, but not so close as they can touch.

This will give them adequate time to sniff eachother out for the time being, but that is just me.

Depending on the severity of the bites, do you feel you need to have a vet look at them? I would at best clean them off and maybe put blu kote on them.

 

[cory_jack]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the responses. Let me reword this. All three are girls. We had them in quarantine for about a month and a half. After this period, the bonded pair were separated into two cages side-by-side, as I had read this makes introducing a third much easier. After several weeks of this, the third chin's cage was placed beside the other two's.

For the cage within a cage, we followed tune's method: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=652&highlight=chintros&page=2.
Where she described how to do it for three. Two were placed in the small cages and one (the most passive) was loose (we got the show cages from Ryerson). Towels were on the top and on the side of the cage so that the girls would all have safe places to retreat to.

As for the bleeding, it looks like a pin prick on each, but it has me worried nonetheless. Two tried to touch noses gently through the cage, at which point one got scared and tried to bite. This is probably when it occurred.

They're separated now, but would love ideas for further action. I'm perfectly prepared for them to not get along, but I would love it if they could.

Maybe what I got from Ryerson isn't classified as a show cage then. The holes aren't really big or anything, but it's still big enough for bickering to take place. Do you have recommendations for where to get cages?

 

[tunes]

I wouldn't have done the cage in cage with 2 and the poor guy in the cage was probably terrified. I would give them all time to calm down and start slow. Put cages side by side for a week or so, but not so close as they can touch.

I do it all the time and have no problem with it. I've never had blood drawn either, but I use a show cage which has very small openings in it. Some chins just don't work out no matter how you try and introduce them, and that may be the case here.

Editted to add: Cory - Give them a little break. Females are extremely territorial and it may take a while for it to work. After they have a few weeks apart again, try trimming all their whiskers back by at least an inch and then try putting vanilla just above their noses and just above their tails. Make sure you put the established pair into the single girls cage (if there is room). It will take away their need to feel territorial.

I'm glad you're okay with them being apart if necessary. Trying to force it would not be a great idea if they have already shed blood. Give them a break, try the cage in a cage again, and if it doesn't work, then it just may not be in the cards for them.

One more time - The show cages I have are 1/2 x 1 inch openings, so other than a toe, there isn't much that can fit through there. If that isn't what Ryerson's have, maybe you could make your own instead. The wire isn't that expensive for such a small cage.

 

[InkedupTara]

Does seperating the bonded pair then break their bond, and can further cause issues?

 

[cory_jack]

The two are still getting along great. Although they've been in separate cages, they've been side by side. It's my third girl that is having issues with the other two.

I took tunes' advice and did some cage switching. I'll check out a hardware store and find some materials to build a cage with smaller holes. In a few weeks I'll give it another shot.

 

[tunes]

Does seperating the bonded pair then break their bond, and can further cause issues?

They are only separated as long as they are in the show cages, and the show cages can be tight up against each other, they don't have to be separated by any great amount. Most of the time the two just scootch up next to each other and go to sleep while in the cages and the single chin runs all over or sleeps on top of the cages. I also throw hay on top of the cages for them to pull through and so the loose chin will climb up there and snack.

 

[Carol~Anne]

I've never done the cage-in-cage thing but I have introduced chins by acclimatising them. I've brought the new one in the chin room (after quarantine) and just put their cages closer and closer together but never close enough to make contact.

After a few weeks or more I bring them all out into the middle of the room with a big dust bath and interesting things like tunnels and boxes and new toys, and then I just observe what they do. I never really expect much for a while. Each night I bring them all out and let them do their thing and see how it goes and I enjoy having them out separately.

I don't do the quick-get-along method but I don't give up easily either. If you can take the time to spend with them then they do end up getting along nicely sometimes.

 

[Carol~Anne]

I just re-read the last part of my post and even I was confused. That's what happens when you post 'n' run.

I meant to say that when I am introducing chinchillas, I bring the pair or trio out all at once for a short time and observe how they react with each other. If they seem to get along okay then I let them be together for a bit longer but if I see anyone getting overly aggressive or agitated then that one goes back into their cage and the ones that are getting along stay out for a while longer.

Each night seemed to be a different scenario and who was getting along one night was an imp the next and so on. Each did get their separate playtime out though where they were comfortable and enjoyed themselves and then they went back in as well, and then the next night we'd start all over again with the intros. It took me three months to introduce my single chin to two bonded boys.