When you get a new chinchilla it is best to introduce them slowly over time. Placing a new chin in the cage with your original one right away will usually cause a fight. In fact, chinchillas can fight to the death. Some matches take a bit longer than others but with a bit of patience and a few techniques pairing them up is possible. These techniques should be used for same sex pairs as well as for male/female pairs. Many pairs will go together easily, others may take a few attempts to make friends.
Note: Pairing chinchillas of the opposite sex in a cage will result in breeding. Do not breed unless your breeders are pedigreed and you fully understand the risks and responsibilities of breeding. Make sure your chinchillas' gender has been accurately determined before you begin.
1. Place their cages side by side for a week so they can meet through the cage bars. Leave a small space between the cages so they won't be able to bite the others' nose. Once they seem OK with one another and are no longer 'fence fighting' it is time for step two.
2. Before you put your chinchillas together, place them in each others' cages for about an hour. Make sure you leave the original bedding and houses, ect. This way they can get used to each others' scent.
3. Place the most aggressive, outgoing chinchilla into a freshly cleaned cage with the other one. **Make sure you do this on a day when you can be there for a long while to watch for fighting. If they fight you will have to separate them and try again. You can expect the chinchillas to sniff each other, play chase, bark or squeak. If you have a female she may stand up and shoot urine. If they begin jumping on each other aggressively, and/or biting, separate them and try again in a few days. If your chinchillas don't seem to go together using the above method try placing them in a brand new cage with fresh bedding that doesn't have the smell of either animal. Neither one will have the "home turf" advantage.
Remember to go slow and keep constant supervision over a new pair. Rushing a union can cause disaster, but with slow, careful planning you will have a loving pair of chinchillas before you know it!
