rugoo
Newborn Degu
Posts: 8
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Post by rugoo on Jan 26, 2023 0:21:33 GMT
as i’ve mentioned before, i was given two degus. i’m experienced in pet care so that’s why they were given to me. that being said, these are my first degus ive owned. i really want to introduce the two but there is one tiny problem. they’re both males and one is quite young and the other is pretty old. the older one has been alone for a very long time and neither of them are acting depressed or jumpy due to being alone atm. however, i don’t want them to forever be separated, i think it would be nice for them to be introduced. there are metal bars in between their cages that they’ve approached to smell each other. the youngest either gets stressed out and angry or excited to see the older one. the older one has been very quiet, but generally friendly. long story short, i wanted to know if it would be a good idea to put them in a neutral space together soon? or if it’s worth the trouble getting two adult males to get along? (note: they aren’t always able to see each other, i block the bars sometimes so the younger one doesn’t get too stressed)
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 26, 2023 2:15:30 GMT
Yes, it is worth it, but it is a slow process. Not weeks, but several months. Having them in cages that are side by side, is a good way to too help them become with each other. However, you need to make sure that there is enough space between so that they cannot reach through and bite tails or toes. We have a guide to introductions. Have you read it?
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 26, 2023 10:23:25 GMT
Not yet.
Ideally, put the cages with no barriers side by side, but as far away as necessary for the younger to ignore the older degu. If space is a problem then you might try to achieve the same thing with a partial barrier. Reduce the gap as they become completely relaxed or ignoring each other.
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rugoo
Newborn Degu
Posts: 8
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Post by rugoo on Jan 27, 2023 14:30:03 GMT
they both have a lot of space. the cage is a two level and it’s sectioned off (it’s made so i can do that.) the eldest will climb to the highest spot and the youngest is able to see him through the bars in the spot where he can fold back some fabric. they don’t bite at each other and they don’t visit often. but the youngest does get pretty angry with the elder one. i’m thinking of putting them in a bathtub (no water ofc) and seeing how that goes for now.
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Post by moletteuk on Jan 28, 2023 10:49:24 GMT
Do you mean they share a two level cage, with one living above the other? This isn't ideal as the upper degu can gain superiority from being higher up, odd as that may sound. If the younger is clearly antagonistic to the older then I wouldn't recommend a face to face introdution at this point - they are likely to fight pretty quickly and then that reinforces the antagonism and you are further back than you started.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 28, 2023 18:37:46 GMT
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Post by bouncy on Feb 1, 2023 11:17:15 GMT
I can only second the advice already given.
From experience, don't set a timetable. You may find they take to each other immediately, or they may never get together. Let their behaviour guide you. If you have a session of fisticuffs, go back a step or two. If you persist when you reach angriness, they'll develop a grudge, and you'll do more harm than good.
As a side note, there's a difference in fighting and boxing. The latter is largely quiet, and you'll usually see them locked together either fully, or by front paws and teeth. Stop this immediately! You may also see them boxing. This is with them both on hind legs, doing what looks like a girly slap fight with their front paws. After a few seconds, it'll be followed by some sort of spinning roundhouse kick that sends both flying in different directions. THIS is totally normal, and you should let them continue. Every group I've had has no done this, sometimes for an hour at a time!
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