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Post by deguconvert on Oct 13, 2017 1:47:13 GMT
AWESOME!
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Post by misscatafer on Oct 13, 2017 5:52:29 GMT
Looks amazing!! Fabulous work, put another pic up when it is fully kitted out
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Post by ntg on Oct 13, 2017 7:52:54 GMT
Great job! I'm just wondering if you have any/sufficient ventilation on each level with having the glass doors?
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 13, 2017 9:43:33 GMT
Looks great We normally suggest having about half of the very top open mesh for ventilation and then if you put larger vents in the bottom level you might get away with the small vents that you have on each level.
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Post by zenaida on Oct 14, 2017 13:42:39 GMT
Fabulous! How do they like it?
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Post by degumatt on Oct 15, 2017 14:39:13 GMT
Fabulous! How do they like it? I think they love it! Got a section on the 3rd floor where they can both get too with another piece of glass dividing it so hopefully they get used to each other!
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Post by degumatt on Oct 21, 2017 16:22:44 GMT
Did some introductions today! In the bath 1 on 1 degus, sunflower seeds in there too, so far... Cookie(alpha) Badger Pepperoni Are all okay with being around fudge who’s the less dominant to mario Literally not bothered at all eating together a few sniffs but more bothered about trying to escape the bath tub Just tried introducting mario and Cooke (alphas) stayed off really well then about 5 mins the started having little fights like mounting, back turning etc but then they had a squabble which lasted about 4 seconds so I knew we had to step in and cookie had a small cut which We’ve now cleaned up with saline and a Cotten bud (it’s a teeny tiny cut thankfully) It was going so well d**n it! Just mounting and tiny fights Guess I’ll try again in a month or so? I’m goning to see if mario is okay with the more submissive degus of the 3 (badger and lil pepperoni) I should note during mario and cookies meeting it seemed like cookie “won” the fight as he mounted and then started chirping? This happened twice before the “big” fight All feedback is good feedback Sadly same thing with badger and mario - seems mario is the only one that the fighting starts with, maybe it was because it was shortly after he just had a fight with cookie and was scared though, again waiting for your info / ideas guys
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Post by bouncy on Oct 21, 2017 18:30:44 GMT
Tbh, I'd say that's all very positive! You have goos talking to each other. Boxing, scuffles, girly fighting, and kung-fu are all normal behaviour and don't need separation. I certainly wouldn't wait another month before the next meeting, perhaps tomorrow or Monday!
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 21, 2017 20:26:30 GMT
Ditto!!
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Post by degumatt on Oct 22, 2017 16:13:24 GMT
Tbh, I'd say that's all very positive! You have goos talking to each other. Boxing, scuffles, girly fighting, and kung-fu are all normal behaviour and don't need separation. I certainly wouldn't wait another month before the next meeting, perhaps tomorrow or Monday! Even between mario and cookie? They are the ones that got aggressive with cookie getting a little cut on his leg? Mario was also aggressive to badger but I pulled them apart straight away The others literally didn’t care at all a few sniffs and then it was a mission to escape
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Post by bouncy on Oct 22, 2017 19:27:44 GMT
A little squabble is fine. Hooman slaves are sometimes a little keen to separate the fluffs because they don't want to see them injured, and I understand that. Unless they've gone for full FBOD, though, they need to have the squabbling to establish their hierarchy. They will get scratches, nicks, and the occasional bite.
Personally, part of me wonders if constant human intervention too soon in the process helps to create more frustration between the goos they're trying to join, and lengthens the process. That's just my opinion, though.
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Post by degumatt on Oct 22, 2017 22:16:40 GMT
A little squabble is fine. Hooman slaves are sometimes a little keen to separate the fluffs because they don't want to see them injured, and I understand that. Unless they've gone for full FBOD, though, they need to have the squabbling to establish their hierarchy. They will get scratches, nicks, and the occasional bite. Personally, part of me wonders if constant human intervention too soon in the process helps to create more frustration between the goos they're trying to join, and lengthens the process. That's just my opinion, though. in the case of cookie and mario though they was blood, only a small amount but I felt like I needed to step in maybe next time I’ll leave it longer? It’s so hard to judge when to draw the line! And I don’t want my babies getting hurt
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Post by bouncy on Oct 22, 2017 23:34:30 GMT
And that's exactly the problem. My first three rescues were already in a group, and all had chunks missing from their ears. One frequently has a strop with the others and chases them around with loud squeaks. I generally leave them to it, but I have many a time found tufts of fur either in the cage or on the kitchen floor. I've also found one of them with some bites.
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Post by degumatt on Oct 25, 2017 19:59:30 GMT
So guys - back to the original issue now, getting them both all the live in harmony! Today we acc managed to have all 5 in the bathtub for about 15-20 minutes then progressively the squabbles got more and more violent and ended in a free for all kind of thing no injury’s but I felt a seperation was nessecarry. *seemed once the stash of treats to keep them calm ran out which is when they got more interested in each other* I think next time we try an introduction again with all 5 I’ll film a video to see I you guys thinking I’m being too soft and pulling them out early. Overall I think from going to instant fighting to a nice little squabble and sniffing grace period is progress? Some random info that might open a few doors: - The fighting seems to get more violent when an attempted / mount takes place - some really loud squeaking happens after the more extreme of the fights (no blood / visible wounds - just seemed alittle scared once I put them back) - while the treats was flowing all was eating together (cutest thing ever) - random fact to liven it up is pepperoni or pep for short is our smallest degu but an absolute ninja and can acc escape the bath with ease 😂 - I got a pretty nasty bite after separating them from the gravel fights and if that was on a little degu I’d imagine would cause a lot of pain / a large wound Again I can’t thank every memeber on here that has ever replied with a thought / advice it has saved us so much time / effort
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Post by bouncy on Oct 25, 2017 20:56:59 GMT
It's definite progress, and well done for not jumping in too soon!
The bum sniffing and mounting is how they establish who the boss is. Letting themselves be mounted is a submission, so it's no wonder that the grumpiness starts then. Think *sniff sniff* "get off! You're not the boss of me!" "wanna bet?" *girly slapping, kickboxing* "right. Ready now?"
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Post by degumatt on Oct 25, 2017 21:27:28 GMT
It's definite progress, and well done for not jumping in too soon! The bum sniffing and mounting is how they establish who the boss is. Letting themselves be mounted is a submission, so it's no wonder that the grumpiness starts then. Think *sniff sniff* "get off! You're not the boss of me!" "wanna bet?" *girly slapping, kickboxing* "right. Ready now?" I also see a lot of like turning there bum towards the other? Not sure what that means but it happens a lot. They like sniff each other then one will like turn around and put its butt in there face etc it’s very strange
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Post by bouncy on Oct 25, 2017 21:50:41 GMT
Yep, it's kinda "here's my bum, sniff me! This is me! Now your turn. No! Just because I show you my bum, doesn't mean you can jump on! Gerroff!"
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 27, 2017 12:45:47 GMT
Sounds like you are doing a really good job of observing the behaviour during the meets, it will stand you in good stead as you get more familiar with the signs of aggression escalation, everything you are describing sounds typical and normal. You are right, it is an absolute conundrum balancing giving them chance to sort things out while trying not to let them cause proper injury.
Have you got some leather gloves and a water spray and a towel so you can step in quickly if you need to without getting bitten? You can also use your voice and gestures to tell them off and maybe direct their behaviour a little if they start to get aggressive, some degus consider their human to be part of the heirarchy and will listen to them, others not so much, but it's always worth a try.
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Post by degumatt on Oct 27, 2017 18:20:35 GMT
Sounds like you are doing a really good job of observing the behaviour during the meets, it will stand you in good stead as you get more familiar with the signs of aggression escalation, everything you are describing sounds typical and normal. You are right, it is an absolute conundrum balancing giving them chance to sort things out while trying not to let them cause proper injury. Have you got some leather gloves and a water spray and a towel so you can step in quickly if you need to without getting bitten? You can also use your voice and gestures to tell them off and maybe direct their behaviour a little if they start to get aggressive, some degus consider their human to be part of the heirarchy and will listen to them, others not so much, but it's always worth a try. I do have a pair of gardening gloves which works okay (bites hurt alittle still but never break he skin) Also might try the water bottle / using my voice although I feel like mario and fudge lost abit of trust in me when I like blew at them when they did naughty things? It’s gettign better but they don’t fully trust me
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Post by bouncy on Oct 27, 2017 22:21:24 GMT
You'd be surprised. It's possibly not so much trust, but sulking at being told off!
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