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[Mary Bonus]

Hi you all! I'm new here. I have had my chin, Chinita, for two years. I adopted her and her cagemate from a rescue group. Four months ago, her cagemate died. She was quite depressed and lonely. Some weeks ago I was contacted by the same rescue group to see if I would adopt a pair. I couldn't resist and they are now home. I have a seriously huge cage and have bought another for the new pair. They are now in a smaller temporay cage. I'd love them to share the cage. I have started the bonding process with the cage to cage method. What are the chances they get along? What should I expect? Thanks!

[GrayRodent]

Welcome to the board. This is not my area of expertise. I hope someone who has experience with this will comment soon. It seems like most chinchillas will get along if they are introduced properly but there is always a risk of fighting any time there is more than one animal in a cage. It is important to have a place where a chinchilla can hide from an attacking chinchilla. As far as specifics there are many different takes on introducing chins.

[susanjdk]

I am so glad you asked about this!  I was wondering about the same thing.  I am pretty new too.  Welcome!!

[Mary Bonus]

Thank you for your answers! I'm hoping sb who's done this can share his experiences! So far, so good with my trio, but I'll keep you posted!

[angiepreston72]

I have had trios in the past and am going to be trying again to introduce a chinchilla to an already bonded pair. I use the following methods and have always worked for me...I start my placing cages side by side for at least a week or longer. I gradually move the cages closer together every few days...if I see they start acting territorial, I dont go any closer until they have calmed down and dont seem as bothered. Once they are about 2 inches apart and not making a fuss, I will let them out for play time together for 5-10 minutes and if that goes OK, I let them have this play time each day for a week but each day gradually increase the time. If no problems, then I leave their cage doors open and let them wander in and out of each others cages...if that is fine, then I put them in the cage I want them all to be in, and close the door...if at any time there is any fighting, I go back a step until there is no fighting. Some chasing is fine, and mounting as well, but anything more than that, I separate right away and go back to the first step.

Now, with that being said...it also depends on what sex chinchillas you have...I am assuming that all three are girls since they came from a rescue and you are not breeding...this method should be OK. But, if you were introducing a female to a a male/female pair, I would actually approach it differently. I would remove the male and try to bond the females first, then once they are caged together, introduce the male back into the cage. I have had some that are easily paired and others not so easy. In the end, they all have different personalities...I think going slow, a chin would rather be with another vs being alone, but some are used to being alone and dont want a cage mate...I have yet to see that myself, but I have heard others say that is their experience. Hope that helps.

[Mary Bonus]

Thank you very much. Yes, tehy are three females. My only fear is that they won't let me touch them, they do come to me and I somehow managed to train them to go back to their cages on cue, but I am not sure I'd be able to catch teh should they fight. I have placed their cages next to esch other, and they basically ignore one anotehr, guess it is a good sign! Hope it works out! Thanks!

[Keiko.n.Kokoa]

Thanks for the information!  I have a 2 year old female and will be getting a new baby female at the end of the month.  I'm excited that my 2yr old will have a "little sister" to play with, but am nervous about the bonding process between them.  I've never done this before, so the positive stories give me hope!