Just a little update with Gera and friends. I’ve had them together the better part of the afternoon and so far all is well. I did see Chief cuddled up with Gera. Each time I go to the cage, Doc starts to play crazily with me. I’m debating if I should have them be together overnight. I’m leaning towards yes… things are just going so good.
With the dreaded day 2 behind us, it’s nothing but good energy now. It was a delightful day 3. I did do something different this time around. I decided to give Gera, Meeko, Little Doc and Chief 20 minutes of out time with just the four of them. I want to get them bonded and happy. Eventually, I’d like to get those four living together before they move in with the Rory gang if ever.
It went very well, in fact it set them up for that perfect energy for Max and Rory. Once all 10 were together, they were quite happy. Chief explored everywhere which is a first. He’d often stop to do that happy head shake. Gera didn’t take charge but he really didn’t need to. Max never puffed up and didn’t pay much attention to the young ones. Rory did a couple of times but nothing serious. It was more of a: “you are annoying me, stop it.” The three younger girls had quite the fun with Meeko and Little Doc. They chased each other around, played tag and leap frog. After an hour with the Rory gang, everyone went home and had some broccoli. Currently, I’m keeping an eye on the Gera cage. I’ve decided to enclose Chief and Doc in with them. At first Gera was not too happy. Oh he didn’t puff up or anything. When Gera is not happy, he flattens out and squints. He seems much better now, eating his broccoli. So far so good. Keeping fingers crossed and certainly not putting away the other cages yet.
Filing down those teeth: Gera
Chief and Molly
But it wasn’t Chief my concern today. As usual it was to be expected since it is a familiar ground day 2 after all. It was Max and Rory who decided to go around and be meanies. I stopped them quick enough. I hoped I caught it before it downed the mood. Luckily most took it in stride but not Gera. Gera was done. He doesn’t like neurotic rats, bullies of any kind. So he pretty much spent his intro/out time on my shoulder. But if you were to look at Meeko, you’d swear nothing happened. He was happy and bouncing all over the place. That was a good sign, especially for a day two.
All in all, it went well. 
Rory: “my box”
Meeko loving the Snak Shak
Bianca and Molly near the end of the out time, telling me, it’s time to go home, they were trying to get access to their cage.
We did two more neutral ground, things are going great so I figured it was time to move it to familiar ground, the place where Rory and friends play. This area is familiar to Gera, Meeko and little Doc too. But it was new to Chief. He was a little quiet and more puffy than most. The others were pretty good though. Rory did go around showing his muscle but didn’t flex it once. Gera did go around making sure his buds were ok. Meeko and little Doc remained quite happy and that’s a good sign.
Tomorrow is day 2 of familiar ground and we all know how that can go so keeping my fingers crossed.
Chief, king of his castle.
A rat’s teeth is constantly growing. Usually rats are able to keep them straight and trimmed on their own. Even without any wood chews or blocks rats will trim their teeth by bruxing. But do continue to offer wood chews because rats really do love to chew. You can try boxes and tissues as well. Once in a while you’ll come across a rat with bad teeth. Either they are born with malocclusion or they develop an infection or illness which caused the teeth to become white, weak and brittle.
Trimming teeth at home is possible but you must be careful and know what you are doing. you need two people for this job. One to do the trimming and the other to restrain the rat.
I strongly urge you to visit your vet first. Some people have a hard time seeing the difference with normal teeth and overgrown teeth.
Also the vet can show you how to do the trimming the right way. It’s always safer and easier to have your vet do the procedure.
In some cases, trimming rats with white and overgrown teeth can result in injury especially if there is an existing infection. The slightest torque can cause the root to break.
Make sure to educate yourself first and have the proper tools and methods.
Another good day. Not one puffy rat. The babies were playing and having fun, the older rats were hanging around, getting a cuddle here and there. The ones I had to keep more of an eye on were the two girls that would jump off the bed and go exploring the room. Chu and Bianca. I’d say it’s almost time to try familiar ground. I sort of don’t want too because things are going so well here. But I can see the two babies being really interested when Chu and Bianca jump down. It’s only a matter of time before they follow them. Then I’ll be in trouble cause those two are smaller and more brave. A few more days and I’ll try it.
Gera with Molly and Chu.
Chief grooming Little Doc.
An odd turn of events today. Somebody else stood up and claimed the alpha spot. I decided to add the cubes today, it was time to flush out the alphas and betas and find out who will be the one to take over, who will take on the challenge and who will gladly give their spot. The out time started out with everyone happy. Almost like they were glad to see each other again. They all went around sniffing and talking and getting reacquainted. They busily ran around, jumped in the cubes, got cozy and just relaxed too. Gera was in a funny mood. Not a bad mood but a very happy mood. I would watch him go around to everyone and gently dominate them. Almost all accepted this fact. Big Max was saying: oh sure, you can have it. Rory not so much, but he didn’t challenge it either. Nobody challenged Gera. Gera continued to befriend Chief and I think that’s why the others left Chief alone, in fact, it allowed Chief to walk around and explore. But the one who’s most happy about the alpha change is Meeko, Gera’s baby buddy. Meeko took this opportunity to play hard. He was excited, jumping on rats, running away, playing tag, and this got Little Doc to play along too, finally being the baby that he really is. It was a wonderful day for all.
Doc and Bianca playing.
A happy Scout.
Bianca and Chu off exploring the room. (what a surprise *roll eyes*)
Gera: “My work is done here.”
Some rats have that calming effect. Those are the ones that don’t get stressed over much of anything. They walk around, play and explore like nothing is ever out there to harm them. They are happy, content and all the other rats want a piece of that energy.
Today Chief started to go a little off. He was getting puffy and started to chatter all the while looking for a way out. Luckily, Molly and Gera, my gentle souls felt his energy go from worried to anxious real fast. They would take turns visiting Chief and calming him. It worked. Although Chief is still spending time alone squished between the wall and the pillow, today he did explore a little. We’ll get there… this I have no doubt.
It was also fun to watch Doc annoy the crap out of Rory. But Rory would do one swift ninja move on Doc which would stop him dead in his tracks almost yelling: Stop it! Doc would remain frozen, bugged eyed and then move on. Too funny.
Chief and Gera
Nap time in the napkins for Molly.
So today was back to no cubes and a fresh handful of cheerios. Sure enough all went very well. The females were never a concern… Today, the males really got to know each other and didn’t display any displeasure at any presence. It was a great out time. Chief did stay most of the hour squished behind the pillow. But he wasn’t alone, he had plenty of buddies go up to him and check him out. Gera went a few times for his cuddles. At one point, near the end of the hour, Max went up to Chief and stayed with him for the rest of the duration. It was almost like an apology for yesterday. I know, I know, I’m anthropomorphizing but a girl can dream can’t she? Actually, Max was letting the Chief know that they were cool now. I think I’ll continue with these neutral intros for at the very least one more week. Then we move to familiar ground. Yay!
Chief and Max making friends.
Everyone in the basket waiting to be transported back home.
A very relaxed Gera.
There are steps to intros for a reason. But no. I got too comfortable and decided to jump ahead. Today I added hidey holes, fleece cubes and such. Everything was going great. I could feel that the Chief was feeling more tense and anxious but I let it go thinking he just needs to familiarize himself. I should have paid more attention when I saw Gera go for his Chief grooming session and not stay long. He left almost immediately. If you want to know how things are going, watch the rats around. Duh. Gera pretty much told me that Chief was not in a good mood. This mood and signals he was sending made Max come to see him. Bad idea. Max decided it was time to flip the Chief and dominate. Ordinarily this is a good thing. But today, not so much, not with Chief being tense already and the fact that Max likes to use his teeth, bad combo. Chief ended up getting cut up a bit. Nothing majour, he’ll live but it was enough to make me realize: follow the damn intro steps. I washed up Chief and flushed out his wounds. He is back in his cage feeling better about it all. The sweet boy still runs to me when I go near his cage. The intro lasted almost an hour today. I didn’t end it right away, I didn’t want them remembering the butchering as the last thing… during Max’s dominating, all the rats around were very upset.
Now they are all back in their cages munching on their veggies. Tomorrow will be another day.
Max and Meeko.
Sweet Chief after the battle.
