HELP....Clean Cage = Fighting

[sam99]

A few weeks ago 2, out of my 6 goos started battling for dominance and after 24 hours of scrapping and squeaking sorted it out.
The instigator and tormentor was my smallest girl Daisy, picking on Flora. Daisy ended up with a few nicks to her ears and a cut paw but all has since healed nicely.

All has been happy and quiet ever since..... But today, following a total cage clean out all hell has broken loose again.

This time it is Dora who is battling for dominance and is instigating and tormenting Dizzy. Dora now has a nick to her face and a cut paw and my nice clean cage is dotted with blood from her wounds. I'm hoping that in 24 hours all may calm down like it did the last time.

I've now realized that the cause of both fights may be the cleaning of the cage.

I have thought about returning some of their soiled bedding to the cage, but the fact that it is now on the compost heap, stops me for risk of introducing any nasties.

Has anyone else had this happen and how have you overcome the battles?

[sophie9901]

Hey Sam, sorry to hear about all the scrapping, it does get quite nasty and concerning sometimes. I have this happen every time I properly clean out our goo's cages and scrub the urine from the wood etc. I don't know how to prevent it to be honest, but what you can do is leave a few toys in there without cleaning them so that it still has their scent on it.

We usually sit next to the cage for a good half an hour and break up the fighting to prevent it getting out of hand, you can also give them a few treats to calm them down, especially if they have some favourites!!

Also if they have a bit of bedding that they sleep in that's not soiled leave a bit in there like you suggested! It could be that your goo's are similar in size and personality so they are both close to gaining the dominance, you could find that maybe they switch roles in the future and that the less dominant at the moment becomes the most dominant in the future.

You'll have to let me know how you get on and keep an eye on those scraps haha if it gets too bad (pulling fur and biting) then remove them both from the cage and let them have a run around the room for them to calm down!

I hope this helps you somewhat!

[sam99]

Thanks for that Sophie.... It's such a relief to hear that it's not only mine that have issues with a nice clean cage. I'm sure they will settle back down within 24 hours but its horrid to hear and witness the fights and the licking of wounds. Roll on tomorrow when all quietens down!!

[sam99]

Just had a thought and have put the 'dirty' dust bath back in the cage. (Hadn't got round to sieving it!!!)
Will let you know if it helps with the fighting though the nice 'clean cage' will soon be covered in sand ;-)

[sophie9901]

Ah yes I forgot about that!! Fab idea, let me know if it helps at all

[sam99]

Sad to say the dust bath hasn't solved issues... but the hierarchy has changed again. My little one Daisy is now picking on Dora and to add to the blood she now has the first half inch of her tail stripped (degloved??)
Have been sitting with them with the cage door open and treats offered, but the still the battles continue. In one battle, Dora leapt out of the cage onto my chest and sat quivering and cuddling. It was the first time she has ever ventured close to me, almost like she knew I was there to help her.
Part of me wants to separate her from the others, but know the battle of reintroduction would probably cause even more problems.
Any help or advice greatly appreciated as finding it hard to watch my girls fight when I have caused it by simply cleaning the cage.

[sophie9901]

Hey sam, I'm so sorry to hear about your dilemma!! The only thing I can suggest is for you to let them out of the cage for a while and let them have a run around. If they start fighting outside of the cage then possibly separate them for a while or remove the one that is causing the fighting ?

Let me know how you get on, I hope they are ok, poor little things, its horrible when the fights get serious!. Remember to bathe any wounds with a saline solution (warm tepid water with a teaspoon? of salt!)

[sam99]

I now have 3 out of the 6 arguing and all now have small wounds, with Dora (the instigator this week) coming off worst (tail, front paw, back paw and lip) She has now distanced herself from the others and is quietly licking her wounds. Daisy now keeps trying to hassle and provoke her so separating her may be the only option, but holding back as long as I can.
Have plunged them all into darkness in the hope they may sleep on their argument and wake up friends again in the morning.
Looks like a restless night on the sofa for me!

[deguconvert]

YES, put in some of their dirty substrate!! QUICK! It is the odors of their urine that help to remind them of who is who and where each one of them stand. It is one of the strangest things to me that they can hold a grudge for months, but clean out the cage and they can't remember the heirarchy for the lack of old odors!!! GO FIGURE!!! Still, this is the way their tiny brains function, so to help bring some calm, go plunge your hand into the back of old, dirty substrate and bring a large handful back that you can spread about the cage. If that doesn't work, get a second handful, and then sit close by and tell off the fighters, blow on them, ping the side of the cage, but distract them from their fighting and the red haze should clear enough for them to regain their senses.

[sophie9901]

Hey sam, any updates on the fighting little ones? I hope all of them are ok, sounded like they were really fighting last night!

[sam99]

It has all quietened down for the moment with only the occasional squeak. All Doras wounds seem to be ok, but she is hiding herself away from the others. Hopefully very soon they will all be friends again.

[sophie9901]

That's fab news I'm glad it has all settled!! Have you bathed the wounds with a saline solution? )(salt & water?) I found it helped Daisy when he had a couple of nicks on his cheek, just to prevent any infection