Babies odd introduction behavior

[emz]

Hi,

Last night I tried another intro in the bathtub. I put the babies in after they bathed in sand with vanilla essence and then put one of my older degus in. It went fine minus he humped one for a couple of seconds. One of the babies went under him upside down (showing he was being submissive I think I read on degutopias intro guide) and for a few minutes they were all just walking about not really interracting but not attacking each other. They just seemed normal. Occasionally if I moved suddenly the babies would defensively stand by the adult so they seemed friendly to each other.

I then added my second adult in and again it started off fine. As soon as he started sniffing one of the babies bottoms and such however the baby squeaked loud and ran away, then turned and ran back him and jumped on his back. I decided after a couple of minutes to remove him and put him back safely in the carrier wondering if he was just a bit of a trouble maker (he is always squeaking down to them through the small gap they can see each other through) but then the second baby started this a bit also.

I noticed a very small tuft of fur had been pulled off one of my older degus (I think from the babies) but it wasn't enough to leave a bald spot or to hurt him. They should still be under 8 weeks old so this has confused me.

Should I let my older degus have the top half of my cage instead (it is a john hopewell one with an attic extension so they can see eachother through the little tunnel on the side used to get to the second half) so I had the wheel on the bottom to keep it from rattling less which is why I put the adults on the bottom but perhaps it is making the smaller degus think they're in charge in the degu world?

They didn't really harm my boys, they were just very loud and jumping on my adults backs charging a bit. Steve and Felix were amazing and behaved like little angels, I was really proud they did nothing wrong at all it just seems like the babies aren't very fond of the idea of the adults touching them. It was only after 5 minutes it began to happen before that they were fine? It was very hot in the bathroom my bed room keeps cooler due to the air con unit I have in there perhaps it was just a bit stuffy and made them a bit moody?

Any ideas? This is the first time I have done an introduction and I feel like I am doing something wrong. I have been trying to follow the guide for introducing pups to adults.

[deguconvert]

I think you are doing fine . . . but I expect you are also experiencing a fair amount of anxiety over this intro. I totally understand that, as we have gone through similar introductions. I would say that the first time of intros is always the worst, but I suspect that it might feel like that no matter how many intros a person has successfully done. Anyway, in your anxiety you may be cutting things off too quickly. I can't help but wonder if the babies will wrongly conclude that they have been victorious in their behaviour because the "big guys" were suddenly gone after the show of "aggression." They need the chance to be put in place in order for the intros to be truly successful, and so that means leaving them in. Mounting is OK; standing on hind legs to box is OK; rapid chasing, loud squealing, and rolling ball fighting is NOT OK. So if you are seeing only the first two, you may well feel uncomfortable, but you don't need to stop things. If you see it moving into the last kind of behavior however, put a stop to it right away, using your own loud cheeps and blowing on them, while you separate them. Your show of disapproval will make an impression on them and hopeful help them understand that the "real top degu" will not allow that fighting.

Keep us up to date on your efforts, and ask any and all questions. Cheers!

[emz]

Well one of the babies was running at the older ones which is why I removed that baby for a bit of a cool down time. He wasn't attacking just running towards them then letting out a loud squeak however Steve and Felix were pretty much ignoring it and didn't lash out defensively. I am not sure if that is more in the realms of not acceptable behaviour or if it was just me over worrying?

[deguconvert]

A little over worrying I think. I think you need to just let them do some working out, and only intervene if you see fights breaking out that are threatening, like I said before.

[emz]

All right thanks I will give it another go tomorrow. ;D

[kmmg72]

I agree you should let it develop a little further.
I also think you're idea about putting the babies in the bottom half and the adults at the top of the cage should help. As a general rule it is always the most dominant who gets to sit on the highest branch/shelf. Maybe your youngsters are getting big ideas!!
I think you're big boys sound like perfect gentlemen, they are probably rather bemused at the babies behaviour.

[emz]

Thanks for reply kmmg.

I have put the older degus in the top half and the babies seem a lot calmer since, one of them use to yell down to the larger ones (mouth full open, a loud one tone fairly high pitched squeak) but he hasn't done that over the past couple of days. I think soon they'll be ready to all live together it mostly seems good when they interact.

[phoenixm]

how adorable.....that he used to talk smack down to the older goo's....he's lucky his lil arse wasnt kicked....=0

[emz]

It was funny when he looked up and realised how big they were, he squeaked once then darted off to hide! Haha.