Rescue Chin Success!!

[furmommy]

I was seriously thinking Roo would be going to a rescue as soon as I could find one to take her along with the other rescues I'm still fostering. She had been paired up by her former owner with a male named Cookie. I had no extra cages to move her into (and could not afford to buy any since I lost my job in March and don't start my new one until next week). Both she and Cookie are older chins and when I'd had them out for playtime it was mostly Cookie who ventured around and Roo seemed to be less active and didn't really want to be held or messed with. I decided to give her space and allow her time to warm up to me during our playtimes.

Last week when daddy Mickey moved into a smaller cage I found on sale at PetSmart so he could be next to Raisinette and her kits, I then had a spare cage available to move Roo into. It was next to Cookie's cage so I thought that would help with the transition. Cookie seems to be okay for the most part, but Roo has been sulking and not eating her pellets like normal. She at least ate some hay. If she went on like this I was going to have to feed her Critical Care to make sure she is getting food. I am also weighing her to make sure she isn't losing.

Tonight I took a gamble. I put Roo in one carrier and my own pet female Cocoa in another carrier and we went to the bathroom for some playtime and introduction. I had a few chinny play stations and a dust bath for entertainment. I'd been told by rescues that females are hard to introduce. I was nervous but hoped knowing my Cocoa's sweet temperament, that it would work out.

I opened both carriers and let the girls come out on their own. Cocoa made the first move and walked over to Roo's carrier and sniffed noses and there was not any sign of aggression....just friendly sniffing and hanging out together. I was thrilled!! Then they both ventured out to take dust baths and finally after a little while they sat side by side and since it was getting late I put them back into their carriers and returned each to their separate cages.

Tomorrow I'm cleaning Cocoa's cage to hopefully cut down on some of her scent and hoping Roo can come try to stay in her cage without Cocoa defending her territory. Cocoa has a wonderful Chinchilla Mansion and it would be so nice to see Roo move in so they can keep each other company and cuddle. Cocoa's been alone ever since 2005 when she lost her last cuddle buddy. Roo and Cocoa are about the same age. Cocoa is 9 and I think Roo is 8.

I hope it works out and that Roo will cheer up again and go back to eating.

I am hoping to reintroduce Cookie (age 14) to his old fellow male buddies Comet & Fearless. We'll see.....otherwise I can try to introduce him to my lone male Chili who is around 11 years old. Chili is super active though so I don't know if it would be too much for Cookie or not.

Here are a few pics from Cocoa and Roo's exciting playtime!

Roo & Cocoa getting acquainted.....







The girls playing.....



Taking turns with bath times.....



Tired from their playtime and just relaxing side by side....

[Whimsy]

I'm happy to see your intro going so well!

I'm a bit confused by the statement you made about rescues who claim females are difficult to introduce. We've found the exact opposite to be true. Females are easy, easy, easy to pair off with other females. Males are the difficult ones because of the breeding instinct. In all of our hundreds of surrenders, we've only ever sent 3 females off for adoption alone because they were too aggressive to pair.

Well done with yours though. Introductions can be nerve-wracking ordeals.

[feistychins]

I'm surprised Whimsy because most people will tell you that females are more difficult to pair because they are more territorial. I am one of those rescues that informs people of this. I have had great success with pairing males, but only paired a couple of females. I know of many of other people who have trouble with females too.

I wish pairing chins was easier in general, it would make things so much better. I'm happy you have had such good success with the female pairings.

I honestly believe it has a lot to do with personality also. Some chins I have gotten together quickly and with no issues and others just don't like any others chins to share their space with.

[furmommy]

That's interesting Whimsey that you've had such good luck with females....and awesome! I had spoke to Jinna at Apple Wood and her experience had been similar to Andrea's with males being easier to pair than females. I'm sure every chin is different depending on personality, method of intro, etc.

My other female chin Chloe (sadly passed from cancer 3 years ago) never got along with Cocoa when I tried to introduce them. Chloe was a more dominant personality. I only tried one other time to intro Cocoa to a female and it was with a young female (under 6 months) and Cocoa was very maternal towards her, but the young chin was far too energetic for her in general. (I consulted with an animal communicator at the time as well just to see how Cocoa felt).

This time Roo was about the same age and energy level as Cocoa and I was pleased beyond my wildest dreams at how well the introduction went! I am cleaning Cocoa's cage today and then will have another play time on neutral ground before attempting to put them both in Cocoa's cage. I'll then monitor how they do for a few hours. Roo really perked up when she was around Cocoa and when she went back to her cage alone she was looking sad again. I hope this cheers Roo up and gives my Cocoa a friend she can enjoy being around.

[anna35]

I hope it works out for them and they can live together

[furmommy]

Thank you Anna! I'm so excited for them!

[tish1207]

I am by all means not an expert with them, but I have been trying for a couple of months to get my 2 girls to 'be friends' ~ to no avail... so I agree it depends on the chin...

Or maybe you are amazing at getting them aquainted... (??)
I have 2 - 2 yr old females...Chi chi I had since she was 8 wks old... the other (Sasha) I rescued in Dec... she bites/nips at ME, when I try to get them together... so maybe you can give us your special knack for getting them together & for Sasha to start liking Chichi... Chichi wants to be friends ~ she looks at Sasha like 'what did I do to you? I only want to be friends!!' They are both super sweet when alone.... any ideas would be grand!!

[tish1207]

The pics are precious!! More lovely chinnies!! ;D

[Essentia]

May 10, 2012 9:37:07 GMT -5 feistychins said:

I'm surprised Whimsy because most people will tell you that females are more difficult to pair because they are more territorial. I am one of those rescues that informs people of this. I have had great success with pairing males, but only paired a couple of females. I know of many of other people who have trouble with females too.

I wish pairing chins was easier in general, it would make things so much better. I'm happy you have had such good success with the female pairings.

I honestly believe it has a lot to do with personality also. Some chins I have gotten together quickly and with no issues and others just don't like any others chins to share their space with.

I have had the same luck with females as feistychins. I have paired up several males with fantastic results, but have only been able to make it work with one female pair. I have also paired up many neutered males with females and that has definitely worked the best.

That said, I know others who have had the opposite luck so I think it has more to do with personality then sex.

[charliebunny1]

i don't know about females but i have introduced 4 boys who all live together now and was pretty easy. it must be different with chins because i have been told by many people that have rats that females are much easier than males
i think that more comes down to personality than sex

[Whimsy]

I think what really helps in pair bonding is having enough personalities to try together. We generally have so many chins that if one pair doesn't like each other, we can simply try those individuals with others. I tell people that chins like to choose their own friends. It's not ideal for someone to simply wish or will a certain couple to get along. If a chin does't like a certain other, no amount of time will or method will change that.

Granted, I've had at least two cases where I turned on my maternal stare and told a certain couple that they have no choice about getting along. This is a risky stance, however and I don't recommend this attitude for someone who doesn't have the expertise to see it through. Because on the flip side, when this has happened in homes where the owners tried to thrust a pair of chins together, it has completely ruined any chance of either chin ever accepting another friend. One bad introduction can lead to a lifetime of chosen solitude.

[anna35]

So how is it coming along? They still friendly with each other?