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Post by savvy on Mar 11, 2021 18:41:34 GMT
I must admit, Dixie goes into hiding when Reggie is on heat as she's just so persistent! It would be so bad, but Dixie is male and in the next cage, lol.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 11, 2021 19:01:37 GMT
Teenagers eh?
I'm really hopeful with how they acted today, so maybe tomorrow they can spend some time with Bryn in jail next to the main cage and see how we go from here.
Also there's a romance brewing between Banshee and Mocha. She runs over there to see him, he runs over to the bars to greet her (in a friendly way). I try to not let it happen incase the boys fight about it, but she's Houdini reincarnate.
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Post by savvy on Mar 11, 2021 20:11:14 GMT
I wouldn't mind if mine were teenagers, Reggie's will be 3 this year and Dixie 10.
You may find that when she's coming off heat she's extremely docile and just wants to sleep for a day or two.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 12, 2021 17:50:18 GMT
sharing my working out (if it works out) for future readers btw.
Bryn is currently in jail (the smaller medical carrier I have) with just Choca roaming in the top section of the cage. Everyone else is downstairs with the wheel.
They're mostly ignoring each other, they had a good sniff. There were no noises from them, angry or happy, but they did sit in close proximity eating a treat each.
So Bryn is gonna stay in the carrier jail for an hour or so, and if no anger happens, I will cautiously let them meet without a barrier.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 12, 2021 17:58:58 GMT
Very encouraging, Choca is sitting on top of the carrier with no drama (it's wired top and sides)
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Post by Xellie on Mar 12, 2021 19:19:49 GMT
Well, I let them say hi, with the others out of the picture. It turned into a scream and vicious chase, followed by choca jumping out of the cage on to my shoulder to hide.
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Post by savvy on Mar 12, 2021 19:24:10 GMT
Oh dear, I think maybe tempers need to cool for a while longer.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 12, 2021 19:42:07 GMT
it was heartbreakingly adorable how she ran to me for protection. But it's so strange how they get along fine when Bryn is in jail.
It's also not persistent. It lasts for about 10-20 seconds then they both go their own ways - then it happens again, I think if it was a grudge it would not have periods of being ignored.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 13, 2021 19:01:02 GMT
Okay so now a fight broke out between two other girls (one from each group)
They're in the same cage, just the bottom and top halves, so I'm wondering if me alternating which half each group is in while they calm down works out better. I guess after a few days they will start to get territorial.
I really do need to find a solution longer term.
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 13, 2021 19:43:13 GMT
I'm not with you - how did they fight if they are in different groups?
Generally alternating is likely to unsettle them even more. It's possible that having one group above the other could cause issues, but they can't see each other, can they?
Can you remind us the setup? Is is a Critter Nation split top and bottom? It may be that the lack of space is also raising tensions.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 13, 2021 19:51:51 GMT
its a pet planet, so slightly bigger but similar idea. The plan was to extend it downwards (into a basement) and add a floor on top of the roof (for a total of 6 complete floors, the half shelves being full length).
I was trying to keep them friendly to each other hoping I could reintroduce easier and that it was just a temporary spat, but I suppose its just dividing them.
So what I'm turning my attention to now is maybe a time out for the aggressors in such a way that they can stay close.
With the boys when they fight, I just separate them for a few hours and all is well afterward.
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Post by bouncy on Mar 13, 2021 20:38:23 GMT
It sounds as if space could be a key issue. The pups have so much energy, they may be annoying and cramping the older ones. When are you able to add the other levels?
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Post by Xellie on Mar 13, 2021 21:07:50 GMT
hopefully soon. I've got an order in for some sheet aluminum for the base, then I'll have to make the wooden supports to hold it in place. It's just that everything has been backed up and slow lately. I'm still waiting 3 months for my viv for my doops (which came with faulty panels)
The latest fight is between 2 of the same litter.
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Post by bouncy on Mar 13, 2021 23:36:57 GMT
I really hope you are able to sort the materials issue ASAP, because I'm not sure how long it will be before things get worse
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 14, 2021 16:01:18 GMT
Are you already committed to the extensions? I'd be a little concerned about the cage taking the weight of a basement and a loft and extended half shelves, and it sounds like the time delay isn't going to be ideal in your current situation.
Is there any way you could think about just getting another Pet Planet cage and thinking about connecting them at some point in the future if appropriate?
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Post by Xellie on Mar 14, 2021 17:11:51 GMT
I can support the weight by bolting it to the wall. I am thinking about finding a second pet planet and using that as a third storey. (although there's no slots for a third, I could bolt it with struts along the back and side) - Basement wouldn't be built into the current stand If I went forward with that. A bit more custom.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 14, 2021 18:18:12 GMT
Talked to my engineer (my dad, who teaches me all the arts of making things) - we're going to get a third petplanet, and engineer a new base, make it 3 stories. Base will be lower, but made of wood and 500% more solid.
for balancing issues, we will have a way to latch it to the wall so its not top heavy but can still be moved. I think this is a really good way forward and the boys can either also have a third storey, or we can keep the left over section as an isolation/hospital cage. (I had a thickets cage for that)
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Post by Xellie on Mar 15, 2021 17:30:20 GMT
Okay I need some feedback on my plan here.
I'm gonna make the cage into a 3 storey, then I will divide the middle storey lengthways as a meeting point for the two groups and hopefully, they will get back together this way.
I didn't let them have playtime with each other today, it seems like I'll need to do a full re-intro.
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 15, 2021 19:29:46 GMT
Which plan are you going with? Extra cage or extra storey?
I would go with whichever gives the most space quickly. Whole extra cage would be my preference just because it instantly gives everyone enough room and they can get close to each other if you have room to have the cages side by side. If you don't have room to put the two Pet Planets side by side then the extra storey will help, but won't necessarily be enough.
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Post by Xellie on Mar 15, 2021 20:35:02 GMT
storey for now, to give me time to retool my space if I need whole extra cage (since I could just take the extra storey off and bam, third cage exists)
edit: I'm not clear : The new Petplanet cage would be used to create the new storey, so hopefully I'd get time to retool things.
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