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Old 09-09-2013, 02:47 PM   #1
chatterbox
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Default Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Hi guys,

I posted not long back about getting a cambell, and if it were best to get one or a pair. I decided to get one in the end (she is lovely and settling in well).

So I went to get her along with my friend who has also been thinking about getting a hamster for a while - we both left with a girl who were housed together and from the same litter. However, my friend has discovered she is allergic and so has asked me to have her little one as she can't keep her. I am more than happy to have her, but now I am wondering should I try re-introducing them??

I feel like if they are both going to be with me anyway they might as well have each others company at least for now - even if they need to be separated later on... But is it wise to introduce them again? They are 6-7 weeks old, and will have been apart 3/4 nights.
Also how should I do it if I do re-introduce?

Thanks
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Old 09-09-2013, 03:39 PM   #2
Winterwhitelilo
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

I recently re-introducedy WW's a couple days ago. At first I just put their cages right up against one another so they could smell each other and see each other. Then I'd take a handful of substrate from one cage and put it in the other, hoping to get them used to each others smell. After a week or so of letting play in a playpen together (while being monitored) I cleaned out Lilo's bin cage to remove any smells and then introduced Luna. I have two of everything in the cage. Wheels, water bottles, toys, etc. I also scatter feed.

At first they "argued" a little, but now they're doing very good together I have a second cage on hand just in case they need seperating though. I don't intend on keeping them together forever, but for now its working good.
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:01 PM   #3
DrKMcK
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

I'd try it the way Lilo is saying. It hasn't been all that long since they were separated, but a slow re-intro might work. It very much depends on the hammies. Just make sure to separate immediately if there is a real problem. Good luck with them.
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:22 PM   #4
chatterbox
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Thank you for your replies

Yes I was planning to put them into a new cage so it will be a 'neutral' territory and I will scatter feed. I will try the week of introducing the substrate like you said Lilo

I havnt kept dwarfs before though (only syrians), so (and I feel like this is a silly question! ) when you say let them 'play' together, what interaction/behavior am I likely to see? Obviously if there is any signs of aggression I will separate, but what would you say is positive behavior is? Sorry for all the questions - just want to be safe not sorry!
Thanks so much x
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:31 PM   #5
DrKMcK
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Safe, not sorry is definitely the way to go. If you see one pinning the other down and hear some chirping and a bit of tussleing occurs, that's pretty much normal. If it goes beyond that or you hear a lot of squeaking separate them. But you should be able to see if there is going to be a problem if you only go slow. Let them run around the bathtub together for a bit first for at least 20 minutes to 1/2 hour. Then try the new cage. You'll be a bit on edge yourself for a day or so because you'll be watching them closely to make sure they're okay. By the way, if they actually start fighting, you might want to wear gloves to separate them. An angry hammy can bite wickedly
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:35 PM   #6
Winterwhitelilo
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chatterbox View Post
I havnt kept dwarfs before though (only syrians), so (and I feel like this is a silly question! ) when you say let them 'play' together, what interaction/behavior am I likely to see? Obviously if there is any signs of aggression I will separate, but what would you say is positive behavior is? Sorry for all the questions - just want to be safe not sorry!
Thanks so much x
Usually you'll hear it if they're not getting along haha. My dwarves just ignore each other or run on the wheel together, but I have heard that they sometimes groom each other too I've caught Lilo and Luna letting the other "bite" their fur, taking turns and usually snacking on a nut while waiting for the groomer to finish xD
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:51 PM   #7
chatterbox
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Thanks so much for all your help Winterwhitelilo and DrKMcK I have my gloves at the ready!! Fingers crossed they wont be needed, Im hoping for the best seen as they arnt too old - I just feel guilty that we separated them in the first place seen as in the end there was any need!

I will definitely be watching very carefully! Luckily I will be off work so I think I'll end up adjusting my sleep pattern to theirs to keep an eye haha
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Old 09-09-2013, 05:56 PM   #8
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Quote:
Originally Posted by chatterbox View Post
Thanks so much for all your help Winterwhitelilo and DrKMcK I have my gloves at the ready!! Fingers crossed they wont be needed, Im hoping for the best seen as they arnt too old - I just feel guilty that we separated them in the first place seen as in the end there was any need!

I will definitely be watching very carefully! Luckily I will be off work so I think I'll end up adjusting my sleep pattern to theirs to keep an eye haha
Fingers Crossed
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Old 10-19-2013, 06:53 AM   #9
chatterbox
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Just thought I'd give an update, and to once again say thank you for all the advice!

The dwarfs have been living peacefully together for the past few weeks now they seemed to recognize each other as littermates still. I'm still set up in case I need to separate them in the future, but for the moment they seem happy with each other's company
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Old 10-19-2013, 09:39 AM   #10
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Default Re: Re-introducing girls from the same litter?

Congratulations on a successful re-introduction. I'm so glad it worked out.
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