two male chinchillas are fighting?

Question

so we originally had three (bought at separate times) and then the second one we bought, Speed, died.  Then we bought 2 more, but because the other 2 were a few years old and these were about 2 months, the babies were put into a separate cage and we planned on getting them used to each other before moving all of them to a much bigger cage.

We've been letting them play together (not going very good, the babies hide and the one we first bought, Del, goes around fighting with them a little) but then when we put the older males back in their cage they fight with each other a lot and run around the cage.  It got to the point where the older one, Del, hid in the dome and wouldn't get out and he looked hurt (he was okay) They ONLY fight after being with the babies, but we need to introduce them to get them into one cage.

Why are the older ones fighting and how can we get them to be able to be in one cage without Del trying to fight the babies?

LaAn · Answer

So, I'm confused...you have 3 chinchillas now? It sounds like you're rushing this all too much. They shouldn't be letting them play together until they seem comfortable around each other after having the cages side by side for a very long time. It sounds like you're expecting too many chinchillas to be together at once, and it's causing them all to stress out. Also, the death of a companion chinchilla affects the other one quite a bit. After my chinchilla's companion died, she would NOT accept another one.

If the behaviour continues, they need to be separated. For now, keep them apart and see if the behaviour subsides.

luckychinchilla.proboards.com  This is a forum full of experienced owners and resuce workers. If you need more help, post something there, but be sure you take your time in explaining what you mean. You rushed and it got a bit confusing.

Anonymous · Answer

I can help you, give me 20 min and I'll be back.

two male chinchillas are fighting?

2 Answers