2 male chinese hamsters, fighting

Call me Alison · 06-14-2012, 04:26 PM

i was wondering if anybody could please help me.

i bought 2 Chinese male hamsters a couple of weeks ago, I'm not sure of there ages, they still look quite small.

the lady in the pet shop assured me that i could keep them both together perfectly fine, they had no problems in the shop with them.

i've noticed the past few days that jerry always seems to be hiding in the hammock, at the side of the house, i didn't think much of it as they sleep in the house together fine in the day.

tonight i went to the cage and was talking to Jerry (as you do!)

as he came to the bars i passed him a meal worm, next minute ben literally jumped on him was tugging at his fur until he got the meal worm from him, he was really jumping on him and getting quite nasty.

i don't know if i have done the right thing but after reading various things about Chinese hamsters fighting i put Ben in to a separate cage.

I'm not really sure what to do next should i keep them exasperated forever or at some point try and put them in the same cage again.

the reason I'm a bit worried is that years ago i had 2 male Chinese hamsters and one day i found that one had killed the other, i really don't want it to happen again.

sorry for the long post, i would really appreciate your help on this one, thank you xx

**kyrilliondaemon** · 06-14-2012, 04:37 PM

I'd keep them separated. They clearly weren't happy together and chinese are notorious for falling out.
Its safer and you'll probably find it less stressful than risking a reintroduction.

Call me Alison · 06-14-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

I'd keep them separated. They clearly weren't happy together and chinese are notorious for falling out.
Its safer and you'll probably find it less stressful than risking a reintroduction.

thanks Hun, that's what i thought, now there separated Jerry seems a lot more relaxed sitting by the bars and not trying to hide like he usually does x

Onion · 06-14-2012, 05:24 PM

I agree you should probably keep them apart. My chinese males were rescues and had already lived together for a year, so I kept them together and they seem ok, but chinese tend to not live happily together from what I have heard. If Jerry does seem happier I would keep it as they are.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 06-14-2012, 05:37 PM

I'm glad Jerry is already happier

racinghamster · 06-15-2012, 08:04 AM

I always keep single hamsters these days for this very reason, although I only had the one female chinese hamster, I know they can be difficult to house in pairs or groups. Adorable little creatures though, I love chinese.

samzyzg · 06-15-2012, 08:29 AM

I agree with keeping them separated, When my robo's were together we found that Loki was constantly in hiding pretty much. Now he is out and about a lot, still doesn't like me being near but it definitely was the right idea.

Vectis Hamstery · 06-15-2012, 08:30 AM

It sounds like a good call there, especially if there were signs of Jerry being bullied in the lead up. Cage changes can alter group dynamics if the cage size is larger or there is a different scent. Chinese live happily by themselves

Congratulations on your new boys - I think we need photos!

student1304 · 06-15-2012, 12:12 PM

hmm I don't know If i've missed earlier posts from you explaining this,
but what is your cage like and what is the setup of the cage like?

I know everyones reccommended seperation and for now that's a good idea but no-ones asked about the cage which could be causing some of the fighting problems.
What size is it? Do you have multiple wheels? Is there a shelf?

Again apologies if you have already mentioned this and I've missed it.
It just seems a shame to seperate them if everything hasn't been explored yet.

Call me Alison · 06-15-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by student1304

hmm I don't know If i've missed earlier posts from you explaining this,
but what is your cage like and what is the setup of the cage like?

I know everyones reccommended seperation and for now that's a good idea but no-ones asked about the cage which could be causing some of the fighting problems.
What size is it? Do you have multiple wheels? Is there a shelf?

Again apologies if you have already mentioned this and I've missed it.
It just seems a shame to seperate them if everything hasn't been explored yet.

they were both in quite a large bin cage, i can't remember the exact measurements but it's pretty big!!

there were 2 houses, 2 bottles, 2 food bowls, 2 wheels ( never used)

since i've separated them they seem much calmer, easier to handle, am much as i feel terrible i think it was the right decision! x