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[Kerga93]

Hello,

I am a mum of eight chinchillas! Crazy I know! I have converted the attic into three play areas for each group of chinchillas, one area has three already bonded chins (1 male, 2 females), the other one has two bonded (1 male, 1 female) and the last area has one lonely male. Before anyone mentions all males have been castrated My solo male had a female companion who were together nearly eight years, unfortunately last august she had to be put down after fighting a long battle with the dental disease maloclusion, it was a very difficult time and the male was her rock during that time, grooming her and keeping her warm after dentals, she was a strong fighter. Ever since losing his companion his personality has changed (he is ten years old) doesn't like coming out of the cage much and just looks like he is sulking and sad... he used to be so hyper, enjoyed playtime and hated going back in the cage! He has also gained a bit of weight
So I decided maybe try and get him another companion or two... (I have done the bonding process previously). I found these two beautiful female chinchillas (17months old) needing homes, they looked perfect! I got them around a month ago, got them vet checked by a specialist and all is well. Monday just gone we cleaned all of the attic cages and disinfected the floor area as well. This is the first time the girls were up in the attic as well! All seeemed well that night and all three chinchillas were calm, a little pacing and curiosity but nothing bad or serious (btw there in separate cages and during letting them out I have put up a barrier so they can't reach each other but still see one another). However last night, I let the male out to have a little run around and then the girls, all was well again but for some reason after twenty mins of the girls being out (male is away in his cage) the black velvet female chased the beige one, I left it but after three times and fur flying, I stepped in. She wouldn't allow the other too enter the cage and kept going for her. I didn't want them to break their bond so I quickly brought the cage back downstairs and let them out in the bathroom for twenty mins... they were fine, no chasing or anything and they slept cuddled up together all night...

I want opinions or advice on what to do? Should I?
- bring the male downstairs and do the bonding process in a completely neutral area but then put them upstairs when bonded
Try again but give the females time to adjust too all the smells and sounds of upstairs first before trying them in together
Give up and sort another solution out
Or any others will be much appreciated. I want my male to have a friend but I don't want too ruin or jeopardise another bond for it. Thank you

[GrayRodent]

My advice is wait 2-3 weeks. Have chins in same room but not in same enclosure and then try again. Put cages side by side 3 inches apart. Typically you want to have a minimum 8 week waiting period. Also it is advised to quarantine 3-4 weeks before putting them into the same room if possible.

The neutral area bonding method will not work for all chins. Also, and unfortunately, not all chins are compatible with each other but you won't know anything until the waiting period is over and they can get used to each other from a short distance.

[Kerga93]

I have had them over a month (the girls) and the male for 6 ish years now, so I have done the quarantine period and took them to a specialist exotic vet to get checked out.
So do you think it would be best to bring the male downstairs or take the girls upstairs where all the chins are? They haven't been with other chinchillas before (the girls) so could it be all the new smells and they need to get used too them first before being put side by side with the male?
What do you mean by 8 week waiting period?
Thank you, I really appreciate it, just haven't had the original bonded pair fight before

[GrayRodent]

Just put the cages next to each other for 8 weeks and wait. Then try to introduce them. It's a method that is known to work and recommended by expert breeders. No method is guaranteed and care must be taken to assess success when you put them into the same cage after that waiting period.
Bonding in pairs is not necessarily permanent either. The new dynamic introduced by the other animals in the group can change things. It may be necessary to permanently separate them.