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Post by mladyisthename on Oct 29, 2019 19:19:01 GMT
Hi so I figured mental health is a thing so, I need some insight.
I've had a single male chin for a couple of months, I rescued him from a bad situation... And I've been looking into rescuing another one for company.
I've read that chins are able to cohabitate, and that males are friendlier than females. Is there a reason for this difference?
-Is it okay to keep them in the same enclosure? Can I keep two males together and if I were to get a female would you suggest I get my boy neutered?
- Has anyone ever introduced a new chin to the home for it not to be accepted? How common is that?
I just want to make sure my boy is simulated mentally, because even tho I'm up at night with him he still needs someone else! Any information, even if it's a reference to a website you recommend, I'd appreciate.
I have done some of my own research, I just want to hear some experiences people have had. Thank you anyone who is taking the time to read/answer any of these questions.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 29, 2019 23:16:27 GMT
Hello, Mladyisthename, and welcome to the forum!! I do not have chins, so cannot speak from experience, but I can tell you that there are those on here that have introduced chins to each other, and had success with it. Those chins that have been introduced definitely do seem to appreciate the company, so I would say it is worth it! (Chin communities can be very divided on this, as there are those that believe they cannot be introduced, and there are those that believe they must be kept in pairs. Depending on where you look, you can get some strong views supporting either view point.) So, yes, you can indeed introduce them, but it takes time (as in months), and it requires two cages that can sit side by side so that they can adjust to another chin being present and get to know each other in their own time. I have no idea if it is easier to introduce male to male, or male to female, or female to female. That is something I hope that one of our chin owners can give you more information on. Having two chins together will mean that you need a larger enclosure as well. I don't know why it is, but many chin breeders/owners/forums seem to have no qualms about keeping their chins in cages smaller than what we recommend for our degus. Yet, if you have ever seen a chin running about out side of the cage in free time, you will know that they enjoy getting up to speed and bouncing around in all that extra space. I hope that some of our chin people will also share with you what cages and sizes they use . . . if you are interested to know. There are most definitely chins that are more solitary . . . so you could indeed find yourself with one chin that doesn't want a companion. However, it could be that they are two that just don't like each other, or only one of them may have an interest, while the other does not. Really . . . many animals are very much like humans in that there can be one way attractions, there can be stalkers, there can be instant infatuation (less common), and there are often those that grow on you as you get to know them. Just because they are both chins doesn't guarantee they will like each other. Just like being human does not mean that we will instantly get along.  They have strong personalities, just like we do, and some personalities forcefully clash. The difficulty is . . . we don't know what kind of personalities we are trying to put together, when we bring in an unknown animal. How is your bonding with your new chin? Are you and he getting on with each other well? Would you say that you are getting to know his characteristics and quirks? That can help you, what you know of him. |
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Post by mladyisthename on Oct 29, 2019 23:43:56 GMT
Hello, Mladyisthename, and welcome to the forum!! I do not have chins, so cannot speak from experience, but I can tell you that there are those on here that have introduced chins to each other, and had success with it. Those chins that have been introduced definitely do seem to appreciate the company, so I would say it is worth it! (Chin communities can be very divided on this, as there are those that believe they cannot be introduced, and there are those that believe they must be kept in pairs. Depending on where you look, you can get some strong views supporting either view point.) So, yes, you can indeed introduce them, but it takes time (as in months), and it requires two cages that can sit side by side so that they can adjust to another chin being present and get to know each other in their own time. I have no idea if it is easier to introduce male to male, or male to female, or female to female. That is something I hope that one of our chin owners can give you more information on. Having two chins together will mean that you need a larger enclosure as well. I don't know why it is, but many chin breeders/owners/forums seem to have no qualms about keeping their chins in cages smaller than what we recommend for our degus. Yet, if you have ever seen a chin running about out side of the cage in free time, you will know that they enjoy getting up to speed and bouncing around in all that extra space. I hope that some of our chin people will also share with you what cages and sizes they use . . . if you are interested to know. There are most definitely chins that are more solitary . . . so you could indeed find yourself with one chin that doesn't want a companion. However, it could be that they are two that just don't like each other, or only one of them may have an interest, while the other does not. Really . . . many animals are very much like humans in that there can be one way attractions, there can be stalkers, there can be instant infatuation (less common), and there are often those that grow on you as you get to know them. Just because they are both chins doesn't guarantee they will like each other. Just like being human does not mean that we will instantly get along. They have strong personalities, just like we do, and some personalities forcefully clash. The difficulty is . . . we don't know what kind of personalities we are trying to put together, when we bring in an unknown animal. How is your bonding with your new chin? Are you and he getting on with each other well? Would you say that you are getting to know his characteristics and quirks? That can help you, what you know of him. I appreciate the response! He and I are building trust everyday, as I make sure to spend time with him. He doesn't like hands tho, but he has stopped shedding if I need to pick him up for any reason. I try not to tho because you can tell he hates it. I think he likes me, he just has trust issues from his past but he really is a good boy |
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 30, 2019 1:22:33 GMT
That sounds very promising! One of the keys to introductions is knowing your animals very well. If you want to get another . . . once you are confident in what sex you want, and where you want to get one from, make sure you spend time getting to know the other one as well. I know it will put of the gratification of having them together even more, but it will really do all of you a great help if you all trust and know each other before the face to face introductions start.
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Post by mladyisthename on Oct 30, 2019 15:09:41 GMT
That sounds very promising! One of the keys to introductions is knowing your animals very well. If you want to get another . . . once you are confident in what sex you want, and where you want to get one from, make sure you spend time getting to know the other one as well. I know it will put of the gratification of having them together even more, but it will really do all of you a great help if you all trust and know each other before the face to face introductions start. Thanks! I'm definitely going to take my time with any changes, I really do think he'd like a friend...he is not a grump at all and he is really playful. I'm just so nervous about the stress it would cause all of us if it didn't work out. I don't have anything lined up thankfully. Thanks again |
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 30, 2019 17:54:53 GMT
I'll tag a couple of chin owners for you ntg randomname darthchinchi You will probably find they have differing views. I've never had chins but speaking from my small animal experience I think if you have the time, space and inclination to do it, I think it is well worth a try. Even if it doesn't work out or if it takes a long time the group dwelling small furries seem to benefit from others of the same kind side by side or nearby in the same room. It can be well worth getting in touch with any local rescues or chin specialist rescues because sometimes they can help with finding a personality match or help you do trial meetings etc. |
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Post by darthchinchi on Oct 30, 2019 18:01:24 GMT
Two mails together works just fine. I have 3 male pairs atm.
Sorry for the sorth answer. Not too well atm
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Post by randomname on Oct 31, 2019 2:03:20 GMT
I'm not the one to ask about intros (ntg & darth are better qualified than me!) but we have 2 brothers who adore each other who share a cage & always have done. The trick is to have at least 2 of everything & the bigger the space the less they have to argue about imo.
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 31, 2019 10:59:04 GMT
Sorry to hear that, Darth, thanks for commenting.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 31, 2019 16:09:55 GMT
I'm sorry, too, Darth! I'm glad to see you . . . it's been a long while, it feels like.
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Post by ntg on Nov 5, 2019 22:29:16 GMT
I'm in the process of intros at the moment with a pair of males and a single male and I honestly don't know where it's going to end up.
My pair of males have a bit of a hot and cold relationship, there's been no injuries but they can get frustrated at each other and start posturing and kacking at each other one second then cuddling into each other the next.
The single boy, Derek, likes to tease Benji by dangling his tail out of the cage and wave it slowly infront of him just out of his reach. At the moment I can't decide if it's just being playful but I do have my suspicions that he doesn't like Gizmo as he completely went off his nut when we put Gizmo close to his cage in the travel box the other day. Best advice I can give you is to be prepared if you get another chin that they might never get along. Like degus they're strong personalities so there's a definite possibility that the personalities will clash. Most people say a kit is easier to introduce but you then take the risk that they'll fall out once they reach adolescence.
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They have strong personalities, just like we do, and some personalities forcefully clash. The difficulty is . . . we don't know what kind of personalities we are trying to put together, when we bring in an unknown animal. 
