Please help me QUICK!

[ilovemydegus]

As you all know, i've kept you updated with how the introductions of my two degus have been going.

I have been constantly swapping them over to eachothers divide, and letting them meet properly in the bath (as shown in photos) it has been just over a week and it had gone really well.

I have set up their new 3 storey cage, it is all new and all new accessories. I put them in there and for 5 minutes they were fine but then for the first time since i have had them they started boxing. I let them get on with this as they didnt seem to be harming eachother but then the boxing turned into rolling around, i must admit i panicked!!!! I squirted them with water and they broke it up but they must have fought another 3 times. Basil was very shaken up and whenever Brush went near him he turned his back and kind of lifted his bum up to his face level. After 10 minutes of doing this they started fighting again and this time Basil was very exhausted and Brush had a small cut on his nose.

I don't know if i have done the right thing but i have now taken them both out and put them back into the divided cage.

Brush, even though he has a cut on his nose seems to be ok however Basil is very quiet, shaken and really not happy at all and after close inspection he has a small scratch on his side.

To take in consideration also, i have since found out that a member of the RSPCA where they came from had actually tried to introduce them all back together as there were originally 5 of them but no matter what combination he tried it would not work - that is why they were seperated.

What do i do!!??!?!?!?

[Sunshinemeg]

dont panic to start with

They are going to fight when you introduce them to a new environment. They need to establish who will be boss.
Sadly, as they have fought you need to go back a step. You need to start back at the brief introductions in neutral territory, like the bath for short periods, still swapping the side of the cage they are in. Give that another week, and then, if all is going well, allow them to share one half of the cage they are currently in. They will both feel more relaxed here, as clearly putting them into an unmarked cage is confusing them too much, this can happen with males, especially where both are adult and wish to be dominant. I would therefore hold off on the putting them into the 3 storey cage for a couple of weeks. I know how bad that is to hear, having been where you are now I know how much you just want them happy and in the new cage. Be patient and try not to panic and it will get there! you did the right thing in squirting them, it doesnt harm them and distracts them enough, its a good technique!
hang in there, and if you need help asap, email me (use the contact button on my website) as I cant always get to this website!

take care and dont panic!

[ilovemydegus]

Hi ya meg thank you so much. I do just want them to be happy and it is such a shame that its being delayed again, why can't they just see sense!!! arrrghhhhhhh! but the last thing i want is them to really hurt eachother. I will hold off the three storey cage for now and do as you have advised and let them join eachother in the divides. How long would you say to leave them in there together. Alos still carry out the meetings in the bath. Shall i leave it a couple of days or start from tomorrow. I am worried about Basil because i must admit i have more of a bond with him than Brush and he has come much more worse off mentally and isn't himself at the moment.

Also the cage they are in at the moment is only 30" wide x 19" deep making each divide only 15" wide x 19" deep surely this would be too small to have them both in? wouldn't it? or am i worrying too much?

many thanks x