Aggressive Degu bullying Brother

[rc1995]

*UPDATE* They are living together quite happily now. *

Hello, we recently got two new adult boys, who were living together previously. They were fine with each other the whole car journey home but when we let them out in their new cage, all hell broke loose. The previous owners did mention Nate likes to bully his brother Sterling. (Sterling came with half a tail and a scar on his eye thanks to Nate)

The fight resulted in Sterling getting a very nasty bite to his face and bites on his back which bled. We had to separate them as he was absolutely terrified, squealing and running to hide when we let him out the cage into the room. Nate is not acting friendly towards him at all anymore, the first and last time we let them out together in the room, he ran and jumped at Sterling who squealed and ran away. The only interaction since has been through their cage bars when they each get their free run. Nate has started squeaking at him and trying to get to him through the bars, to which Sterling just turns his back or walks away back his cage leaving Nate all agitated. 

Sterling seems quite happy being away from the aggression but he does spend a lot of time sat huddled in his bed by himself. He is still eating and drinking and loves to have a wander when we open his cage. Nate just runs around his cage or tries to argue with his neighbours. Both are quite tame and will take treats, since they are on their own I have been trying to spend a bit more time with them. 

We do have two younger boy degus who are potential friends for Sterling if we can't re-introduce him back to his brother. He just chatters his teeth at them through the bars if he goes towards their cage and they are much more reactive to Nate when they are out compared to him. He seems more scared of them than anything. 

Any advice will be appreciated. If we can get them living together again it would be so much easier but I am aware it may not be possible. 

[bouncy]

My Spidey sometimes bullies his brothers.

I think an overwhelming factor here is a change in surroundings, environment, smell...... Did you bring any of their old substrate with you?

[deguconvert]

Exactly what I was wondering as well, Bouncy.

[moletteuk]

Our presumption is that they are fighting over the new territory.

Did they come with a cage or is it a new one? Can you get hold of some of their old substrate - old, familiar smells will help.

If you don't have access to old substrate, the next best thing I can think of is to keep sandbathing them in the same sand and then start sprinkling the sand around.

[rc1995]

Aug 2, 2017 17:22:19 GMT bouncy said:

My Spidey sometimes bullies his brothers.

I think an overwhelming factor here is a change in surroundings, environment, smell...... Did you bring any of their old substrate with you?

They are in their same cage, same toys and hay. We have now put a divider in the cage so they can still see each other. It seems to be working though Nate still beats his tail and gets very excited while Sterling just turns around. They do settle down though.  ->   

[bouncy]

That's good

Once they get used to their new surroundings (smells, background noise etc), it should calm down even more!