New degu introductions

[bopeuph]

We found a new one last night, a two month old female we named Toki. With the setup we have, we split the cage in a different way--one has the birdcage part, and the other has the aquarium part. We are probably going to change this, as it's not easy to have one under the other trying to meet.

This morning, we put both of them in the bathtub together. Nausicaa immediately seemed interested and moved to groom her. Toki, being half the size, was scared, and started to bat her away. Nausicaa retaliated by jumping on to her. We threw a shirt over one and seperated them and put them back in the cages. Toki is much more bold than Nausicaa was, so, we think she will come around to us and Nausicaa, too. Right now, she hides when she knows we're looking, but when she thinks we're not, she climbs all over the place. Nausicaa didn't seem to move or eat for 3 days.

Was the first meeting too early? Or should we do this once a day?

Nick

[Erica]

Congrats on the new addition to your degu family!

Being only 2 months old and female Toki and Nausicaa will be friends soon. Here are few things to think about:

1) Dominant degus usually occupy the highest ground. They like to be on the lookout. I think you're on the right track if you can split the cage so that they can see hear and smell each other on the same level.

2) Degus rely heavily on smell. Before your next supervised socialization in the tub try letting each of them roll in a sand bath so that they smell the same.

3) Start swapping the bedding on both sides of your divider. That'll make the merge a little smoother.

4) Keep at the daily introductions leaving them together as long as they (or you) can tolerate.

5) Separate them at night unless you're sure that they're getting along... huddling and grooming each other are great signs.

I just introduced two degus to each other this past week. One hadn't been near another degu for awhile so he kept jumping ontop of the younger one who's only a few months old. While ontop he tried a little humping and aggressive grooming. I guess it had been awhile. I let them stay together on neutral territory (an aquarium) as long as no one was getting hurt. I put them together every night for about 4 nights. After the second time together they were doing so well that I put them in the split cage together but it was too soon. I started to swap the bedding and sand baths more frequently and now they're best of friends... huddling as I type.

I hope that helps.

Here's another thread about introductions:
deguworld.proboards31.com/index.cgi?board=behaviour&action=display&thread=1156627034

[bopeuph]

This introduction is going exactly the same as yours--exept they are female. Well, at least they are supposed to be. We sexed Nausicaä many times, and we agreed that she is female. We went and got Toki and checked to see if she was female. We think she is too, but as introductions are getting along, Nausicaä is trying to mount Toki. All our best guesses still say that both of them are female, so do females mount as sort of a dominance thing? We actually took the seperator out, and they seem to be doing fine. This may take a lot less than a week, I just hope that I don't have any unneeded surprises in 90 days.

Nick

[bopeuph]

The two seem to be doing fine; much grooming, fighting only when one hasn't finished their treat before the other one and the faster eater wants the leftovers, but mostly they seem to mind each others' business. So, when should they be allowed to spend their first night together without prying eyes?

Nick

[dreamcatcher]

If I were you, I would put them together early in the day and see how it goes from there.
I had a great experience with introductions but it sounds to me like things are going well.
All you can do is try. If too many fights break out then seperate again and try again.

[Erica]

I agree with Dreamcatcher. I suggest that would wait until a day that you're going to be home, put them together in the morning and check on them throughout the day. If they get along all day you should be able to leave them together at night. Keep your bedroom door open though so that you can still hear them if they start to squabble. It's not likely with females though.

You're almost there. Keep at it!

[bopeuph]

They have been together for a few nights now, and they only fight over food. The main problem is Toki finishes her treat first and then goes after Nausicaä's who won't have that. The fights look pretty nasty, but after a look-over, they appear unscathed. They even fight over the alfalfa blocks (we keep two in the cage), but not the hay. How do I handle this? Do I let them fight, or keep breaking it up? I won't be here all the time.

[Deguman]

Interesting question Bopeuph,

Does anyone know if the degree of physical risk if they are left together to, "sort it out?"

I keep two Degus, Hill 'n Croft who in the early days did squabble for brief bouts but never caused any harm. I know Degus can damage one another's ears but does it ever go much further than that?

Regards,
[glow=red,2,300]Deguman[/glow]

[Erica]

Sounds like they're still trying to sort out who's going to be more dominant. You won't be able to break up the fights but you can control the things that they're fighting over, treats and alf alfa blocks.

You could try no "treats" or alf alfa blocks for awhile. I promise, they'll be fine. The treats are for our enjoyment, really.

I'm pretty sure that degus don't need alf alfa. (Look around or do a search on the forum for "alf alfa"). Timothy hay is usually recommended and you're degus aren't fighting over that.

Have you got two food bowls in the cage? That often diffuses fighting over food.

FYI Deguman, degus CAN severly injure each other. Specifically, male degus will fight to the death. Unfortunately, I learned that the hard way.

Fortunately, Boeuph's degus don't have treats and blocks to fight over at night and they're getting along quite well.

Hope that helps, Boeuph.

There are always adventures here at Degu World!