Touchy family love better than separation

[deguconvert]

OK. I have been on here a few times looking for help and suggestions in regard to my fighting Degu's. Reep and Peek were ready to kill each other, Snug just wanted to be left out of it. Then we had a bit of a honeymoon where everyone was lovely dovey and all kinds of happy. Did you know Degu's almost sing when they are really happy? What a lovely sound! Then . . . the peace accord was breached and full scale war was once again being waged. Separate cages became a necessity.

Initially it was working out good. Reep was given a little sleeping nook all his own and he was making use of it. He was happy to come out and visit, and would play well with the other two . . . well . . . he didn't draw blood . . . when they were on the floor together. Communications through the bars was heated and full of blue degu cursing. Then I started to see him sleeping all curled up in the shavings next to the other cage. The fighting decreased. Then I would find them all curled up next to each other through the bars. Reep was beginning to look really sad. Every time we would take Reep out, he would stretch out his neck and head looking for a way to get into the other cage with Peek and Snug.

Four days ago I put Reep and Snug into the wrong cages by accident at the end of the day. Snug, poor fella, spent the night alone, and Reep and Peek were together. No fights! No blood! Just two very happy Degu's snuggled up together in the little nook. I put Snug in with them, still happiness. Now, four days later they are still all kinds of happy to be together. Yes there is some dominance posturing, and occasionally a lot of noise, but they want very much to be together.

Reep wanted to be in his cage for a short while this afternoon, refusing to come out for about an hour. He went in and dug around, found some hidden goodies and munched them down, did basic reconnaissance. For some reason, having the bars between them again brought out all kinds of aggression, and for about 30 minutes there was all manner of blue degu cursing and bar rattling. Then, Reep turned around, went to the door of his cage and looked at me. I took him out, and he strained towards the other cage. I put him in and all three boys greeted each other with warbling and grooming. Go figure!! ;D What a bunch of lovable little goofballs! Can't help but love 'em!

[Lala]

You must have the most hormonal set off goos lol!. They seem like a right dysfunctional family - happy as larry one minute and at each others throat the next... bless .

Things seem to have gotten a lot better now they're in separate cages! Fingers crossed it carries on this way

[buzz]

I'm so glad it all worked out for you. well done for perservering. Reep must have decided its better to have company than been on his own. Hopefully this peace will remain and you don't have to seperate again.

[deguconvert]

I hope the peace remains too. They have been doing so well all this week. LOL . . . Until I happened to be reading your replies to our "hormonal degu saga" just five minutes ago. I have both Reep and Peek on my shoulder (then and) now. It is quite normal for them to slip inside my shirt and curl up for a sleep when I have them out. That's what I thought was happening, as I was reading, when all of a sudden boxing, squealing, and road rage broke out all over my skin. OUCH!!!! Not only did they run spikey, firey, cirlces around my midriff, but they tore strips up and down my spine before peace was restored. Nix that! Apparently it is not quite restored . . . they can't seem to agree who has the right to . . . hmmm . . . me in essence. I think one thoroughly objects to sharing me this afternoon. Peek is now back in the cage and Reep is with me. He is now curled up next to my neck and grooming his feet. Probably needs to clean out all the skin my body was forced to donate during the fight. :-(

[Lala]

Awww sounds very painful and it seems awful that another fight broke out.
I feel your pain with the scratches etc. Jack likes to sleep inside mine or my boyfriends clothes, pockets etc, but other times he just runs around your chest, midrift, back n that. Plus is sharp claws and the fact that he grips equals lala and bean covered in scratches and cuts .

Maybe keeping the spare cage would be a good idea and whenever a fight breaks out you do have the option of separation or a time out. Reep obviously misses his friends when he's alone so it might be worth keeping separating him everytime he starts a fight... you never know he might learn!! Goo's are pretty smart .

.x.x.x.

p.s. just re-read through your original post "blue degu cursing" made me giggle and think back to Punk and Rocket's little boxing match last night with a bit of squeaking, I can just imagine them cursing at each other; "Punk you no good &*$£*^*(&" stop starting fights if you can't finish them" lmao!

[deguconvert]

LOL!! Those scratches really do make life interesting don't they? I think I have a bit of an allergic reaction to them. I get a really itchy rash all around the places that are often scratched. Since I hold them frequently throughout the day, they build up quickly. LOL Most of my scratches are around my neck, so V-neck shirts (which most of my necklines are) expose some rather nasty looking skin some days.

You'd think that would be enough motivation to just not hold them. NOPE!!! I just love holding them. Much to my standard poodle's disgust. Talk about jealousy!! Oh well! She gets lots of attention too, so she isn't losing out. ;D

[melmel1987]

I got asked the other day wether i had been up to a bit of the old rough and tumble in the bedroom...due to all the scratches over my cheast, neck arms and back!

hahah

if only!

[kerry]

oh err, at xmas i decided to tart my nails up a bit. the woman in the shop thought i had been attacking rose bushes!!! i had little scabs everywhere!