Russian females fighting after a year, Normal??

[ShannW]

So I recently adopted two campbells russian dwarf female hamsters. I had them for two days and this morning I woke up to squeaks and scuffling. I didn't want to separate them right away because I thought it was normal behaviour. Then I noticed they weren't sleeping together.
I also remembered when I went to pick them up the person had them in a small pet shop cage and they were sleeping on separate floors. It was one of those tiny cages, around 16 X 12 X 16, with a platform. One was on the platform and the other next to the water bottle.
When I got them home I weighed them and one was 42 grams and the other 25 grams. They both looked healthy, the smaller one maybe a little too thin, but her bones weren't sticking out. They are around a year old each and were brought to the pet store together and sold to a pet store employee, she kept them in the pet store 'recommended' cage and I know that isn't nearly big enough.
They seemed fine when I got them home and into their large bin, 42 in x 17 x 17. There were two wheels, two bowls and one bottle. several hides and all that. The smaller one also seems to be hunger ALL the time. She eats anything I give her.
They slept together the first night and seemed fine during the day. The smaller one was awake a lot and the bigger one slept mostly.
It wasn't until this morning, I separated them (one into a smaller bin for now) until i can pick up the larger one. I noticed a small cut right beside the smaller ones nose and decided to keep them separate. Do you think they've always fought? She told me they bite her and seemed aggressive but she didn't mention them fighting each other... It kind of upsets me a lot...
Is this normal? Ive read once they draw blood not to try to re-introduce them? I think they seem to be a bit happier without each other. They also seem more keen to come to me, more excited. The little one doesn't seem to be eating her food as fast anymore either...

[cypher]

You've done the right thing separating them, both will be happier now.
Make sure the smaller one has plenty of food available all the time & I would give her a little extra protein too to build her up now she has a chance to eat properly.
The cut doesn't look too bad as far as I can see but if it doesn't heal up or shows signs of being infected it may need treatment.
Most pairs need separating at some point & it does sound as though these two may have been fighting before you bought them home.

[ShannW]

That was my instinct the moment I heard the noise. I work at a pet store as well, same one as the one this girl works, and I try to do as much research on the animals I sell as possible. I can say I HATE pet store and wish they didn't exist, but thats because of all the impulse animal buyers out there who don't research the animal.
Ive noticed it most with hamsters. The cages are HORRIBLE in pet stores. Knowing that hamsters like to roam and explore, because of research, I try to give as much information to people who come in as possible. NO small cages. I honestly tell them terrariums or bin cages, then show them mine. Cheaper then a cage at the store...
This girl i work with has been know to impulse buy and just asked me if I wanted them because they bite and she can't hold them. She also told me one of her 7 roommates kicked one of the hamsters while in the ball, and that was it for me... I took them.
It really floors me that people don't look into the care of their pets! Ive found the information on forums to be the best. I look through them for all sorts of animals! Ive recently found my love of hamsters! Sorry about this, turned out to be more of a rant!
Im just happy that these little girls will do a lot better then together. I mean, they already seem happier! I named them Dolce and Gabbana LOL, it was just too cute not too. Dolce, the 25 gram grey one, is already starting to crawl into my hand and onto my wrist, she still nibbles but I lightly pull the spot away and she stops.
Gabbana the 42 gram chunky brown one, is still super nervous, sometimes she lets me stroke her lightly but mostly she hides. But she has started to take treats from me.
I makes me feel sooooo bad that so many hamsters are forced into this situation, because of lack of knowledge! Poor things, but these two will be happy now!!

[cypher]

It's sounds as though they are going to have a good life now & that's what matters most.