Post by schmeln on Aug 27, 2007 13:12:14 GMT
Hi, I'm having trouble introducing the 2 little ones to my older degu.
I bought Bits and Bobs in February this year. I don't know how old they were, however they have at least doubled in size since we got them. Unfortunately we found Bits dead one morning in July.
I didn't want Bobs to be lonely, so I ordered 2 baby female degus from a local reputable petshop (they don't normally sell animals, only order if playmates needed for sociable animals such as degus). The babies came home with me a week after Bits had passed away. They seemed REALLY small, so must be younger than Bits & Bobs were when we got them.
Anyway, we have their cages next to eachother, and have been swapping their sand over, however, when we tried to introduce on neutral territory they brawl. The first time we thought Bobs was just over-eager with them and they were frightened, but this has happened twice now, and Bobs seems to be getting MORE agitated towards them, not less!
We have their cages next to eachother, with shelves on the same height so they can see and talk to eachother, but Bobs just goes mental, hopping around, wagging her tail, and squeaking and squawking and frantically chewing at the bars. It doesn't seem friendly, more "Lemme AT EM!" Scrappy style. The babies don't seem so agitated towards Bobs, they'll casually munch away on their treats in her face.
I really want these guys to get on, surely Bobs is lonely?! Could the age difference be a factor? We've only just seen the babies doing things like grooming eachother - could they have been separated from their parents too soon? Can anybody suggest anything? I'm worried because Bobs is getting worse towards them, not better...
Helen x
I bought Bits and Bobs in February this year. I don't know how old they were, however they have at least doubled in size since we got them. Unfortunately we found Bits dead one morning in July.
I didn't want Bobs to be lonely, so I ordered 2 baby female degus from a local reputable petshop (they don't normally sell animals, only order if playmates needed for sociable animals such as degus). The babies came home with me a week after Bits had passed away. They seemed REALLY small, so must be younger than Bits & Bobs were when we got them.
Anyway, we have their cages next to eachother, and have been swapping their sand over, however, when we tried to introduce on neutral territory they brawl. The first time we thought Bobs was just over-eager with them and they were frightened, but this has happened twice now, and Bobs seems to be getting MORE agitated towards them, not less!
We have their cages next to eachother, with shelves on the same height so they can see and talk to eachother, but Bobs just goes mental, hopping around, wagging her tail, and squeaking and squawking and frantically chewing at the bars. It doesn't seem friendly, more "Lemme AT EM!" Scrappy style. The babies don't seem so agitated towards Bobs, they'll casually munch away on their treats in her face.
I really want these guys to get on, surely Bobs is lonely?! Could the age difference be a factor? We've only just seen the babies doing things like grooming eachother - could they have been separated from their parents too soon? Can anybody suggest anything? I'm worried because Bobs is getting worse towards them, not better...
Helen x