How do i introduce rats from diffrent shops

Question

i have posted this question 3 times now but i want a answer to introduce without cage ok they are 3 females one is 6-7 weeks old other 2 are 4 weeks old i am getting both on friday how can i introduce without getting new cage could i put in pen or somthing for a day i just need all help i can get

Answer 1

Usually it is best to get an all new cage, BUT instead try giving the cage a rigorous cleaning. Also try taking a handfull of bedding and rubbing it on each of them to have all of their cents in the cage when you put all three in. What's next is really up to them. Some rats will just not get along... similar to people. You can't make someone like everybody... don't expect rats to be the same. If they fight too much you may want to consider giving the problem ones up.  Also make sure there is enough food and water for all three of them to be able to eat/drink without fighting over it. If te cage is too small for three rats to live comfortably in... this will also be the cause of turmoil. More space makes everybody happy.

Answer 2

You have to quarantine the new rats for at least 2 weeks [preferably 3 weeks]] to ensure that there is no sickness that you might introduce to you rattie.  Make sure the rats are in separate rooms, as there are some air born illnesses out there.  

After quarantine, you can introduce them together in a bathtub since it is neutral territory and they will be less likely to fight.  Since they are females, they shouldn't be as aggressive as males.  There will probably be a few squabbles here and there, but as long as there is no blood, then they are just asserting who is boss.

And By the way- 4 weeks old?!  They should still be with there momma!  Where are you getting these Babbies' from?

And you said its a big cage, but do you really know how big?  Use this to help you, 3 rats need more space than one.

http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.sht...

**EDIT**

If you don't have another cage, buy one, it dosn't have to be that big [but use the link above to see if it is sutible], just a one level cage.  It can also come in much handy for a hospital cage.  It never hurts to have another cage on hand!  But I must stress to quarantine the rats.  It is such a vital thing to do, and if it is just characterised as unimportant, it can lead to some serious problems, so you better get going on an extra cage!  Also, the breeder you are talking about?  He/she dosn't sound very responsible as the ratties were seperated from there mom at 4 weeks, and that shows very little education about rats.[exspecially since she sells to pet shops...  never EVER buy a rat from a petshop!]  You would have more luck at a local rescue, and you would save a rats life too!  And if there is no local rescues, you could always find a RESPONSIBLE breeder, which are always better than backyard breeders...

You can also go to this website, they have an adoption fourm where you might find some other ratties, and it has very helpful information!  :)

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/opti...

Hope I helped!

morganluverX10

Answer 3

I'm not entirely sure of your question here. Do you want ways to introduce them without introducing them in a cage?

You must listen to Morgan here, she is correct in stating that it is necessary to quarantine the two young ones for three weeks time in a separate air space or risk exposure of various airborn problems with your current resident female. This can include but is not limited to upper respiratory infections which are common and very contagious in rats. This is not something that is seen immediately when you get the two new babies which is why three weeks is the time frame we use to gage whether or not a rat is okay to be with the others.

Four weeks old is too young! Rats should be with their mothers until five weeks of age. Is this breeder reputable? A good breeder will breed for health and temperament. They will be knowledgeable in rat care and they will be able to tell you who spawned the new babies going back at LEAST eight generations. They will have you sign a contract stating that you will return them to the breeder if for whatever reason you cannot care for them and they will have you sign stating you will not breed them. If this breeder is letting the babies go after four weeks, I would be weary of getting them from there. It simply is too young. You also stated he does both shops... is this a pet store? If so, he is not a "true" rat breeder. Rat breeders are VERY selective of whom they allow their babies to go to and would never associate with a pet shop.

As for introductions, they are all young (again, too young) and all are female. This makes intros go smoother than if they were older or males. A bathtub really is your best option for intros. A dab of vanilla on each girl will help with the scents so that they won't be as apt to attack one another. You could put the rats anywhere really for intros as long as none of them have ever been there before and if a fight brakes out it needs to be somewhere you can easily break it up (without using your hands). The bathtub is just the easiest option for you and it is easy to clean once you are done with intros.

Intros aren't immediately successful. There have only been a couple of times where rats will be fine with one another at the first introductions. There really should be several intros before you attempt them living in the same cage space. I would look on craigslist.org or somewhere else for another cage for temporary purposes.

If you are intent on putting them in the same cage immediately (again, I highly suggest you get another cage as this doesn't work out 90% of the time on the first day), clean the cage from top to bottom. Take out all toys and clean them, any fabric hammocks need to be washed etc. Rearrange the cage so it looks and smells different than it has in the past so your current female does not get territorial. When you first put them all together, make sure you take out any hiding spots so that if something happens you can reach them (usually I keep one small hiding spot available to the new residents so they have somewhere to go if they get scared but as all three are fairly small this would not work). Watch them for several hours. A little fighting is normal, drawing blood is not. If blood is drawn you MUST separate them and try again with the intros a bit slower and it may take a couple of weeks or better before they will take to one another. It also might be immediate. It's quite unpredictable which is why I really really do urge you to get yourself another cage in the likely situation that they don't get along right away.

Good luck to you and please feel free to email me with any other questions in regards to intros or any other questions that you may have.

=)

Answer 4

put them in a rat safe room like a bathroom but check for holes or any escape routes. a card board box will work to. put both rats in and just watch them. if they are being aggressive to the point were one squeeks then remove them. they are generally ok or at least have been for me...but all rats are differant...so be careful. if they get along clean the cage and put them together. watch them for a little to make sure there doing fine. if there ok just leave them in there to get along and they should b fine. check on them every once in a while. they should be fine. i havent had any problems with mine so lets hope for the same for you.

if you cant find a box or dont have a room use a bed that they havent been on. [[dont worry bout them jumping or falling...being new rats they will just be curiouse about you and there new suroundings]]

hope ive helped and you dont have to ask this question again....

if you need any more help just send me a message!!

Desiree