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Post by moletteuk on Mar 16, 2021 15:53:08 GMT
Wow, surprise early degu! not ideal. Congratulations though!
I don't know how near together you have put them, but you could always move them a bit further away from each other. Try and keep yourself calm and talk calmly to them both. Mary will be fine in the small cage for a while if that is what she has been living in? When you move her in to the main cage, transfer some used substrate with her if you can.
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Post by degunewbie on Mar 16, 2021 21:12:10 GMT
This has been a long day haha!
I got the wire and pliers and the like. Sadly after 1 hour of trying to make a safe square I had to give up. I just suck at diy, it didnt work out.
I then decided to merge them anyway, so I cleaned out half the cage. I didnt add Mary's used substrate so added it just now. To separate them I have taped over the access point and then put Sarah's I love hay box over it. They cant see each other. But I thought it would be better not to leave mary in a hamster cage overnight, she couldn't really move around that much. She wasnt living there before, they have just leant me the cage as well to help pair them.
This is just temporary for tonight. I've actually now found a perfect sized metal cube, with 1 wall missing online. I've ordered it and picking it up tomorrow. It's the easy way out, but I want to be quick now and just messed up the making it.
I have to say since reorganizing the cage, sarah has been great. I think she must associate it now with when I've spoiled her to comfort her. She is really chilled and being very needy from me while is nice. She is like the mature experienced adult now. Mary is doing a lot of bar chewing, but seems OK and is slowly exploring. She hasnt used the sandbath though, she is still a bit timid to I think. But hopefully will soon. She is on her wheel now.
I dont really think they are liking hearing each other much, without seeing, but this is just temporary. Fingers crossed. This has not been ideal!
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 16, 2021 21:14:57 GMT
Make sure you are giving them both the same sand bath each day, and don't change the sand, nor sift it or anything that would reduce the smell of each other in there. In a sense . . . the smellier the better. They will bathe in it and both will begin to smell like each other. It will help them to adjust and should help with the introduction process. I would leave the sand bath with each one for half of each day.
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Post by degunewbie on Mar 16, 2021 21:15:02 GMT
Also today it has really hit me. Sarah knows how to use me well! She knows exactly how to get a treat. Clever little girl!
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Post by degunewbie on Mar 16, 2021 21:16:27 GMT
This is a bit of a gross question, but sarah does poo in the sand quite often. Should I leave that in?
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 16, 2021 21:19:14 GMT
Yes! It is part of how they get to know each other. LOL! Aren't you glad we don't have to chum with other peoples . . . poo . . . to get to know them? So thankful I'm not a degu!!
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Post by degunewbie on Mar 16, 2021 22:00:37 GMT
Hahaha. Could you imagine? Bath in it as well. Ok the bath will stay the same
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Post by winic1 on Mar 16, 2021 23:47:57 GMT
Yes, the poos are important to the scenting process. But remember, their poos are very dry and hard, so it's not like they're rolling in dog poo. It seems to be important that they smell similar, and familiar, to each other when meeting. It says, "Hey, you smell like me, my family, my community! You must be someone I should like!"
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 17, 2021 11:41:03 GMT
I didn't realise the temporary cage was as small as a hamster cage. That is likely to be too small for introductions too.
There's no rush. If they both seem a bit nervy and agitated then let them settle before you put the separater in and let them get close. It's really important to watch them and try to pick up as much as you can from their body language and let that guide you. Following an exact formula and timescale of what to do and when often does not work so well. The thing that can be difficult at the start in a case like yours is trying to tell if the agitation is because they are unsettled and unhappy with the presence of another degu or if they are just desperate for the company of the other degu.
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 17, 2021 15:36:59 GMT
You will need to give Mary at least two weeks to settle into your home. Possibly more than that. No face to face introductions. If Mary is not using the sand bath yet, she is not feeling at home yet. Introductions are S L O W for the most part, so as much as you are able, relax. Give them time so that they smell like each other, and during this time, work on building a trust bond with Mary.
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