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Post by hpdegus on Feb 29, 2020 0:07:25 GMT
I don't talk about them much, but the Mauaraders are a group of three boys (Padfoot, Moony, and Prongs) who are just over two years old.
They were the absolute worst last year during mating season. I had to have separate play times for each of them or else FBOD. However, by around May of last year they suddenly stopped and enjoyed play time together!
This week though, I have no idea what set them off! They've been absolutely awful! I just broke up two FBOD with different participants though there wasn't any blood. Pads' right hind foot appears to be bothering him though, as he's currently favoring it. Can't see any visible injury, but I'll keep an eye out.
Anyone else having renewed fighting around this time of year?
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Post by bouncy on Feb 29, 2020 1:53:35 GMT
Not at the moment. Spidey has his monthly grump with Scaredy for a few days, but that's it. There were some sudden explosions and chases with the delinquents just before Christmas, but the younger two of the group were only 16 months at that stage.
Is there anything that happens in your place only occasionally, or with your neighbours?
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Post by hpdegus on Feb 29, 2020 1:58:22 GMT
Yay for adolescent goos! I cant wait for the pups to be out of that phase!
Not really? The weather has been really weird though. It was very warm, then ridiculously rainy, then quite cold. Maybe that would do it?
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Post by bouncy on Feb 29, 2020 11:42:38 GMT
You know goos as well as we do - totally illogical, weird, and unfailingly irrational
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Post by hpdegus on Feb 29, 2020 13:08:42 GMT
Hahaha, that is the truth!
Pads refuses to put weight on that foot in the cage. But when I'm holding him I manipulated the foot without a single pain squeak at all. Maybe he twisted it?
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Post by bouncy on Feb 29, 2020 13:15:51 GMT
Very possible? Heat pad, rest, maybe he'll even take it easy
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Post by hpdegus on Feb 29, 2020 14:53:28 GMT
Haha, he's currently sulking under a blanket, though that could just be for sympathy! So he'll hopefully rest and be better soon. If not, I already have a vet appt Tuesday for Ollie, could probably bring him along as well.
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Post by hpdegus on Mar 15, 2020 23:33:52 GMT
Fighting continues outside of the cage They seem to be pretty normal inside though (*knock on wood*) but they haven't had play time together since I first posted this thread. Pads is still favoring his foot slightly, but it looks like he had bruised his foot pad, which I would imagine would take a while go heal. And hes been running on the wheel so I'm not too worried. Just would like them to return to friends out of the cage! This whole 5 separate play times is a bit much!
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 16, 2020 10:37:56 GMT
Sounds like a degu consipiracy to stop you doing anything with your time that isn't degu wrangling.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 1:13:44 GMT
Prongs and Moony are determined to drive me crazy today. I have no idea what set them off, but they've fighting all day. Most of it is just shoving, but they've gotten to ninja kicks and even a FBOD (very brief, no one hurt).
Prongs is now separated in the bottom cage, for probably at least an hour this time. I've put him in time out several times, but only about 20 minutes at a time. I'm just hoping both he and Moony calm down soon.
I kinda wish Pads would step in and tell them off. But his style of leadership seems to be much more hands off, unless someone has something he wants!
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 2:29:35 GMT
Well. That didn't help much. Moony and Pads had gone to bed, so Prongs joined them. After a while though, they were back to fighting. Again, a short FBOD, broke up way before I could have even thought of stopping it. Prongs does have a small cut on his face, but not bad at all.
Moony is now in the bottom cage alone. Not sure if I should keep them separated overnight though. I've never had to do that with them.
Forgot to mention, fights seem to break out in the same spot.
Suggestions?
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 8, 2020 7:54:05 GMT
Is it possible to separate the bottom part of the cage in half, preventing them from getting to each other, and from accessing the upper portion of the cage? Do you think you could affix a cooling rack (if you had one to spare) that would have bars that are close enough together and might match the height of that level? Maybe you could use twist ties or zip ties to attach it to the existing bars? I'm just wondering if that kind of separation, where no one is above the other (except for Pads, but he is the boss anyway) will help them to sulk it out and get over it? Hopefully.
There is no guarantee it will work, but you might need it, or something like it, if they continue to fight.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 10:14:39 GMT
I can definitely insure the top cage can't be accessed from the bottom cage. The critter nation cages are modular and good for that.
I'm a little confused about what you've described, but that's the lack of sleep affecting me! Is this what you're suggesting (in the case they won't stop fighting):
Leave top cage connected to bottom cage. However, block access to top cage, with Pads alone up there while the other two are put in time out. In the bottom cage, use cooling racks* (and zip ties) to divide the cage in two.
Do I have that correct? Sorry for the confusion!
*I actually might have an side panel that I could try wedging in there.
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Post by winic1 on Apr 8, 2020 14:06:45 GMT
I had all serious fights starting on one certain half-level. It had a lot of open space, as it was just below the middle floor of the Critter Nation, and set high (so it was a low head space) to allow the wheel underneath it, so it was mainly there as a pass-thru to the better parts of the cage. But somehow, that's where the boys would fight, kick-boxing and all the serious stuff.
So I filled it with branches and rocks and log bits and bark tunnels and everything spare I could find, so that there wasn't room to fight.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 15:08:54 GMT
I didn't even think of that! But that's pretty much the exact same situation as my boys! I have a ridiculously large wheel in that area, and they like to fling themselves on and off, so I thought I wouldn't put anything extra there for safety. But I'll definitely try that now!
Pads bossy side just came out! I put a new toy in that he apparently LOVES. The other boys tried to sneak in and play too (it's made of compressed hay and sticks, attached at both ends to the cage wall, about 6 in long) but he said NO!
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 17:58:24 GMT
Operation Overcrowded* started about 2 hours ago.
There's been following and a bit of attempted humping (where humpee moves just as humper tries) but no fighting so far. I'm hoping they get distracted from each other eventually, but we'll see what happens. Pads is adoring this new situation, he's introduced each new item to his teeth!
*taking name suggestions!
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 18:41:18 GMT
And FBOD.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 8, 2020 19:49:46 GMT
They found a space to FBOD? Any injuries?
You did fully grasp what I was clumsily describing. I also really like Winic's suggestion and am glad you have employed that.
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Post by hpdegus on Apr 8, 2020 20:01:59 GMT
Yep. Theres a tiny corner right between the cage wall and their wheel. Which is actually right about where they have started fighting anyway. No injuries at least, which is good. I'll need to figure out a way of blocking that off but not stopping them running on the wheel. I actually wonder if Moony being backed in a corner helped kick it off.
I've ordered more cooling sheets! Unfortunately they're supposed to take 3 weeks to get here. So I'll look through what I have currently, see what I can do.
I really like Winic's suggestion as well. They were following each other for quite a while, but it took several hours before it got to the point of FBOD. Part of me slightly worries that it builds up frustration though.
I just don't understand what set them off. Sure, they have shoving matches, but it's never this bad in the cage. I guess one thing that I have noticed is weight changes. Pads has always been top goo, and is definitely the heaviest. Prongs is next in the hierarchy, and he was a out 10g heavier than Moony. However, Moony has recently been gaining weight, so they're now within 5g of each other. Maybe Moony now thinks he has a shot?
Additionally, they are in a new layout. But it's been that way for a while now. The fighting corner of the cage overlooks the rescues cage.
Sorry for the long reply, just a little frustrated that I can't fix this for them.
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Post by winic1 on Apr 8, 2020 21:21:30 GMT
Maybe put up a piece of cardboard or something to block their view of the other cage? Perhaps being able to see and hear the rescues directly is building agitation and frustration, and they take it out on each other?
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