We had our first (mostly) successful introduction!!!

[Lourice]

I am soooo happy. We put them in the bathtub together, and they ran around for a good 10 minutes without fighting!!! They sniffed each other and walked over and under each other, but didn't fight.

and then, they did fight a little but no blood!!

also this was after i called my mom in to show her because i was so excited, and they're not used to her so it might have been why. (?)

but anyways, it's extremely exciting. i have hope for them now

now my questions:

-what should I have done once they started fighting? I broke up the fight, and then we took them out of the cage and calmed them down and ended the introduction by putting them back in their cages. Should i have put them back and tried to end it on a good note? is it bad that we ended it on a bad note?

-when should i try introducing them again? how long should i wait?

-kind of related to the first question, but if they fight again next time, what should i do?

here is them being all adorable:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 7346_n.jpg

and the video!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLY3pded ... e=youtu.be

 

[hopefloats]

I dont stop intros after a fight. I make them calm down first. You can do. Time out in a carrier for you fight starter that seems to help. I do intros daily once I start them. I prefer a table top to the tub because my rats always seemed more scared in the tub. Ideally you want 20 mins or more but starting out slow works too. You can switch out beds and boxes to help them adjust to the smells of the new rats.

 

[jorats]

Keep an empty water bottle close by and when there's a fight, crinkle the water bottle to startle them out of the fight.
You sound very excited in the video.
BTW, eating poop is ok in rats. They recycle their nutrients that way.

 

[Lourice]

Keep an empty water bottle close by and when there's a fight, crinkle the water bottle to startle them out of the fight.
You sound very excited in the video.
BTW, eating poop is ok in rats. They recycle their nutrients that way.

ahaha it's embarrassing but i didn't know how to take out the audio i was just extremely happy because after having so many failed attempts, we finally had a good one! i have been stressing out so much because of this, and finally i was just happy and excited and hopeful.

i'll try it again tonight, then.

 

[Lourice]

also, what does it mean when we break up a fight and pick up the rats, but maurice keeps wanting to go on his back. should we just let them fight it out? there wasn't any squeaking or blood, so what should we have done? and what does this belly up behaviour mean?

 

[hopefloats]

It isnt a fight if the one on his belly is willing to be there. Submissive boys will allow another boy to pin him and groom him. Some really enjoy the whole process. I have a boy who will get on his back when he see a rat walking by he just loves the grooming process. Squeaking is normal for pinning and grooming, it is what they do. When you have a fight, you have to males in a ball rolling around on the floor. Fur flying and screams is usually to follow. Typical pinning/groom/boxing isnt considered a fight.

My bad boys, you can tell it is a fight in a minute. The second they see a boy, it is puffy and i will kill you mode. Your two look good. they dont look puffy or angry. they will have pinning and a bit of scuffles. We have them in our monster group, we just had our first rat ball weeks after their move in LOL

You sound fine in the video. I prefer the commentary it makes me giggle. I run my mouth in all of my videos. There is nothing wrong with being excited and happy that your making a colony it is a big deal to you and them. They will thank you for giving them buddies.

 

[jorats]

I love the commentary on videos.
Like hopefloats has said, when a rat wants to go on his back, he's a happy boy. Maurice, the bigger guy wants to be on his back? He must love his little Louis.

 

[Lourice]

I love the commentary on videos.
Like hopefloats has said, when a rat wants to go on his back, he's a happy boy. Maurice, the bigger guy wants to be on his back? He must love his little Louis.

ahaha thanks :3

and yes, but only after we split them up from their fight. and when they did fight, they were rolling around in a ball but there was no squeaking and no blood. we then split them up, and my boyfriend picked up maurice and he kept wanting to go on his back in his hands. so i think if we had left them together after the fight, maurice would have done the same thing and louis would have dominated him?

 

[jorats]

Ok, that's different. Going on his back in your hand means he's submitting to you and he was highly stressed trying not to retaliate with you or giving you the upper hand.
Next time they "rat ball", have an empty water bottle on hand and crinkle it a lot near them so it startles them and they should separate. When they separate voluntarily, give then a treat for doing that. A very yummy treat. Have the treat ready because you have to mark the behaviour fast.