new babies with older goos

[samantha]

Hey everyone,
My friend bought 2 degus only to find out that one was pregnant! (good old Pets at Home) She kept it and I am more than happy to have 2 of the babies as I do have a spare degu cage but I would like them to live together with my 2 older ones who are about 9-10 months old, do you think they will accept eachother with the age gap or should I just keep them seperatley?
Thank you in advance for any advise! I really appreciate it!
x x x

[zerkonia]

It's just a matter of introducing them. Usually slowly at first, putting their cages next to each other so they can see and smell each other but can't hurt each other or have any aggressive arguments. Direct introductions are usually done in neutral areas, a lot of people use baths and watch over closely so there's no serious squabbling but I believe a bit of boxing is acceptable.

I've recently introduced 2 younger brothers to my slightly older lonely Degu and they get on fine now.

[samantha]

o wow thank you! Nice to hear a success story! Gives me hope! x

[samantha]

o my god, i introduced them today for like a second and the big one nearly tore the lil ones head off! Dunno if I should do it again! I think they might be happier living seperatley! Poor lil guy!! lol x

[deguconvert]

Sounds like you have been too quick in your attempt to introduce. I would leave their cages side by side for at the very least a week before trying again. If during that week you see lots of tail wagging, foot stomping, aimed peeing, and hear growling and shrieking, wait a second week!!

Next, when you want to introduce them, do so in a clean, neutral area such as the bath tub. Before putting them in together, give them all a sand bath in new clean sand. You may also try a trick of rubbing vanilla essence on your hands, then rubbing your hands all over a goo. Use a fresh application of vanilla essence for each degu. Also before putting them in the tub, have ready on hand a spray bottle of water and a couple of small towels. These you will use to break up any fights that might break out. Spray the offending degus, then put the towel over top and pick up one of the degus. I would also suggest that you introduce one big degu to the two little ones at a time. So, switch them out (the bigger goos), depending on how well things are going. Obviously the worse the meet, the shorter it will be. Let them meet one older to two younger for the first few meets. Then try all four when you can see that things are going well.

Be sure to let us know how things are going, and ask whatever questions you have.

[samantha]

o brilliant! Thank you, its really appreciated! Thier cages are together at the mo and all I can hear is them squaking at eachother lol! Crazy goos!

[katelills]

hey thanks for this thread its very useful. i have two degu boys that are about one now. I have fallen in love with a couple of babies at p@h and am getting tempted to buy them. i also will have a spare cage soon...however i really don't wan to risk it if my boys wont be happy. if i could guarentee that they wouldnt mind then i definitely would. this thread sounds like it is possible though. Please keep us updated as not only will it be helpful, its really very interesting too thanks xxx

[goldenglory]

do you perchance like south park samantha?

[samantha]

How did you guess that?!? Not but my animals names by any chance? lol! Yea Me and the other half love watching a bit of southpark! It cracks me up everytime!
The goos are starting to get along better now, they have been introduced a few times succesfully but I may wait till they are a bit bigger to actually put them in with the older ones cos if a fight did break out, baby goos wouldn't stand a chance as they are half the size! lol! xx