Can someone help me please???

**jayne** · 10-01-2006, 08:56 AM

Ok, i really need to see whether i'm just being paranoid or i really need help

I was sitting last night with my cage sitting right next to me. Sweet and Sour were still both in their beds but awake as it was due their time to come out. Next Sweet came out first, as always, ran on the wheel for about 5 seconds then ran back into bed. As soon as she went back in, i heard this really loud squeel/squeak and there was all this comotion and scurrying. I couldnt really see properly as they sleep under the green platform thats attached to the cage. My heart jumped right up to my throat, i was so scared Next, one of them came out and went into one of the other houses. Then a few minutes later the other followed, was only in a few seconds and the same thing happened.

I'm wandering if this is a sign of them not getting along anymore I noticed when i looked in the cage in the morning, one had slept under the bridge and the other slept where they normally do. Again, this morning when i looked, one had slept in the blue house and one was under the platform. About 2hours ago, the one in the blue house just moved back into the 'main' bed and everything seemed to be fine....but one of them made the same noise just now again and i'm really worried.

Can someone please give me some advice and let me know if there is anything i should do? Has anyone else encountered this behaviour and is it them telling me they dont like each other now? Is this the time i should be considering splitting them up?

Thanks

souffle · 10-01-2006, 11:24 AM

Jayne it does sound as if you hammies are squabling a bit though as I have never had Chinese I really cant give much advice here. My book does say that one Chinese will always be dominant but if they are the same age the subservient one should be able to withstand this.

**jayne** · 10-01-2006, 02:00 PM

Thanks Souffle

Sweet is the dominant one by far!! Although as they were under cover i couldnt get to see clearly who it was, it may well have been both making the noise though as it was really loud!!

They have made little noises before, but nothing like this.

I know females are more difficult to keep together but i will keep a close eye on them and watch out for blood etc.

Is there any other members out there that have kept chinese?

**babyboos** · 10-02-2006, 05:45 AM

Hi Jayne,
this kind of behaviour is exhibited by all dwarf species kept in groups from time to time - as you say it is nothing to be unduly worried about unless you see sustained attacking and any evidence of biting or fighting.

**jayne** · 10-16-2006, 12:35 PM

UPDATE FROM TONIGHT

PLEASE SOMEONE, MY HAMMIES ARE PROPERLY FIGHTING

Ok, now i know i've just posted some lovely pictures of Sweet and Sour recently saying how they are getting along fine and they seem really happy........well, i'm afraid i spoke to soon

This morning when i got up to leave for work, around 7.30, they were both up and running on their wheel. A few minutes later they had both went into their house one after the other and a few seconds later one came running out with the other following and chasing around the cage.

Obviously i had to get to work but when i came home everything seemed ok... About half an hour ago, i noticed one had came out from their house and once again, the other started chasing after the other one, although this time there was really, really loud squeaking and scuttering from them running around so fast

When i went over to the cage, one was sitting alone and the next minute, the other had went up to her and starting biting her fur and they ran about all over again. So i've had them both out to check over them, no signs of wounds or blood so thought that was ok, although i noticed a bit of fur sticking out from one and it had stuck to sand bath

.. Put them both back in and next one had the other pratically pinned down and biting her bum!!! This time she was nearly 'screaming' the place down, like loudest i've ever heard them squeak!!! I think the time has come to separate them before it gets any worse and i find either one or both of them badly injured. I cant separate them tonight as its too late, all the shops are closed.

Can anyone please give me suggestions as to what to do or will i need to wait till tomorrow till i can get another cage?

Please, i'm soooo scared for them and i really dont think they will last the night together.

Thanks in advance

blue02celi · 10-16-2006, 01:11 PM

I only have 1 hammie, but sounds like they do need to be separated. Im sure theres something in your home that you could use until morning to get another cage. I know i have a few rubbermaid type bins in my home with clothes and stuff that I could empty, or any other storage type thing around the house... a big pot, bowl, bucket... Im just trying to think of anything that you could use in case you have to separate them and have no other options, im sure if they are REALLY going at it they need to be separated even if they have to be kept in something that you wouldnt normally keep them, just for the night until you can get to a store. I hope things work out tonight, keep us posted.

**jayne** · 10-16-2006, 01:59 PM

Thanks Luis

I know, i have been looking around the house for something but i dont have anything suitable

I think i will just need to keep my fingers crossed and wait till tomorrow till i can get to the shops. I finish work at 4.30 tomorrow so will need to go straight from there. I just hope they will be ok through the night

souffle · 10-17-2006, 01:04 AM

Sorry it did not work out Jayne and it looks like Sweet & Sour have fallen out and need separated. Even a large ice cream tub with a bowl of water, food and bedding is suitable as an emergency home. Punch some holes in the lid and tape it down for overnight. Get yourself one of those plastic tubs from the pound shop and keep it as a travel box/ emergancy home. Even a plastic storage bin is fine. You could even make an economical home from one as a permanant home. £3.99 from wilkinsons or other similar stores, who also stock some not bad, well priced cages though they are all barred. You should be able to get one similar to the one you have for about £20.
What a worry but you have tried to keep them together and as I said, as female Chinese mature they often start fighting and need homes alone. Maybe you could rig up a 'divider; in the cage you have for now? Couple of bricks or mesh to keep them apart?
Keep us posted and hope they are OK

**babyboos** · 10-17-2006, 01:10 AM

Oh Jayne what dreadful news - have you recently cleaned them out?
I do hope they are okay overnight-and no further injury has been sustained. Really in this situation a large cook pot will suffice as storage, the lid will not be completely air tight and usually heavy enough not to be lifted off. Better a cramped bored hamster, than a wounded hamster - and pots will clean

Rubbing them together to ensure their scents are intermingled can help to restore some calm - if one is using the sandbath more than the other it can cause their smells to change. Pick them up at same time and rub them against each other's scent glands as often as you can.
I do hope they have calmed down and peace is restored. If not please do not blame yourself, there is absolutely nothing you could have done differently.
A new enclosure will hopefully not be too expensive - I don't know what stores you have close by, but if need be opt for a cheap storage tub as a temporary measure until you can get something suitable for long term living.
Good Luck

SnuggleHam · 10-17-2006, 04:36 AM

Sorry to hear your hams aren’t getting along well

I can relate to the problem in some ways. I had male gerbils clanned together that I had to separate because of fighting. I hadn’t noticed until both looked pretty chewed up and raw, fortunately both made a full recovery. The saddest part to me was that they had to live alone, knowing they are naturally social animals. But there inst much else you can do. I suppose its the animals way of saying they prefer solitude *shrugs* I’m sure the hams will be quite happy if you provide them with lots of interesting things to do.