Posted by lilblue_frog on April 25, 2003 at 17:53:15:
In Reply to: getting another chin posted by nicolemarie on January 19, 2003 at 17:48:07:
First and Foremost is QUARENTINE. A new chinchilla could bring in a disease that could hurt your other chin. Sometimes a chinchilla could not be effected but bring the bacteria to your other chin who will be effected because his body is not used to it. Most people reccomend at least three weeks of quarentine. Keep your new chinchilla in a seperate cage on the other side of the house from your other pets. Over the next 3 weeks or more, monitor his health and use this time for some one on one social time for you and your new chinny!
Now for the introduction. When I introduced my two male chins here's how I went about it. First I put there cages side to side for a couple days. The cages were so close they could smell and see one another. Then I put them both in a neutral play area where I could supervise thier actions. Sometimes chins get along right off the bat, and sometimes they don't. If they start fighting (i mean a real scuffle not just a little noise) seperate them before one gets hurt. Keep using these neutral play times until you feel comfortable that they are getting along, then let them spend the day together (when chins are the least active). Once you feel comfortable with the day time you can put them in together at night. Make sure you are there during the introductions to come to there aid if things arn't working out.
A tip for particulaly stubborn chin roomies: Put a little bit of vanilla extract on your finger and rub it on your chin's nose (not too much!). The smell will cover up their smells so they think they each smell alike. Then they are less likely to fight.
One thing to keep in mind, sometimes chins WILL NOT get along and there is nothing you can do about it. It would irresponsible and immoral to force them to live together because it is convienient to you. When you get a new chin, it is your responsibility to take care of him wether there is difficulty or not. Be prepared to keep your chins seperated if by chance this occurs.
Good luck!
