KatTheHippie
Well-Known Member
Ivan (formerly Lou) is apparently an aggressive boy that a younger kid in my home town couldn't handle. He would attack Jared (the kid) and his other 3 rats.
Today, I picked Ivan up. He's a standard eared PEW, the first one I've had since my first group of rats, so I may have been a little biased taking him in, considering these guys have a special place in my heart. :suspicious:
Well, he came home with his favorite box (A cheez-it box that I have no idea how he fits in) and I sectioned off the DCN.
But in my experience, and don't take me up on this saying it'll always work for everyone, because it may not and I don't want anyone or any ratty to get hurt, the easiest way for me to do intros, is to rub the newbie in old bedding thoroughly, then toss him and my group down on neutral play time territory ASAP while the aggressive newbie isn't used to anything and not dominant or territorial yet.
So far for me, it's worked every time.. including this time!
Also, I only ever do this so long as I know the rat is healthy and hasn't been exposed to any parasites or illnesses that could get passed on. I'm super careful.
Ivan sat with me, in my shirt for a few hours this morning, then I rubbed him in soiled bedding, and tossed the boys down to play. I distracted them all with cheerios, and they didn't even realize he was here for about a half hour. There's been a little boxing, mostly between him and Cooper, who always boxes everyone no matter what, but they've all been really well behaved so far.
They're all napping right now, and in a little while I'm gonna put him, Dover, Cheswyck, and Igor in the bottom half of the CN (since they're my most docile and could care less about new arrivals) and Cooper, Meeloh, and Toby (My most bossy of the group) can go up top. I'll be in the room watching diligently, and if all goes well we'll see if they can spend the night together. The cage is in my room, so I'll be right here watching all night.
If it goes well, then maybe tomorrow I'll add meeloh, and then Toby the day after, then Cooper last.
But here he is!
Today, I picked Ivan up. He's a standard eared PEW, the first one I've had since my first group of rats, so I may have been a little biased taking him in, considering these guys have a special place in my heart. :suspicious:
Well, he came home with his favorite box (A cheez-it box that I have no idea how he fits in) and I sectioned off the DCN.
But in my experience, and don't take me up on this saying it'll always work for everyone, because it may not and I don't want anyone or any ratty to get hurt, the easiest way for me to do intros, is to rub the newbie in old bedding thoroughly, then toss him and my group down on neutral play time territory ASAP while the aggressive newbie isn't used to anything and not dominant or territorial yet.
So far for me, it's worked every time.. including this time!
Also, I only ever do this so long as I know the rat is healthy and hasn't been exposed to any parasites or illnesses that could get passed on. I'm super careful.
Ivan sat with me, in my shirt for a few hours this morning, then I rubbed him in soiled bedding, and tossed the boys down to play. I distracted them all with cheerios, and they didn't even realize he was here for about a half hour. There's been a little boxing, mostly between him and Cooper, who always boxes everyone no matter what, but they've all been really well behaved so far.
They're all napping right now, and in a little while I'm gonna put him, Dover, Cheswyck, and Igor in the bottom half of the CN (since they're my most docile and could care less about new arrivals) and Cooper, Meeloh, and Toby (My most bossy of the group) can go up top. I'll be in the room watching diligently, and if all goes well we'll see if they can spend the night together. The cage is in my room, so I'll be right here watching all night.
If it goes well, then maybe tomorrow I'll add meeloh, and then Toby the day after, then Cooper last.
But here he is!