Introducing males to males (6 young)

[annie]

Well, I supposed to go pick up my 6 young males today at Petsmart. They were special ordered for me in what colors I wanted and they were supposed to be all confirmed males.

I just got back and was so disapointed. The little black one had a shut eye, looked like about3 of them were female, and only the black one was a color choice that I asked for. At least one of them had bare skin around the genital area, not sure why as it wasn't red or anything.

I am not happy because I have a 30 gallon tank and wanted to get all 6 together so they would get along.

My question is: Superpetz has 3 nice looking young siamese males ( I am pretty sure, I'll have to go back and check to make sure) so can I maybe get those males and 3 more males elsewhere to add ( hopefully from the same quarters)?

It just happens to be that most places have pretty much just one color, not much mixed coloring. Some will have all black, or all agouti; you get the idea..

Would truly appreciate any advice on this matter. My daughter will be bummed when she gets home from school today and finds our already set up cage empty.

Part of the problem is that the pet stores don't really even know exactly how old they are. If they are under 8 weeks can you put 6 different ones together if need be in together without a separator?

What to do...what to do? I am really thinking of getting those 3 siamese and then looking for 3 more to add, maybe even taking 3 of the males from "my ordered males", except that I am worried as the eye of the black one was shut..


Thank you all in advance!!

Annie

[doomgerbiluk]

Are their no breeders nearby?

[annie]

Yes, there are just about 2 or 3 breeders in my area. I have contacted one of them through email and will call the other one in a little whild. I am from the Dayton Ohio area if anyone can be of help with this.

I went last night to look at the Siamese males again and someone had bought them. The search goes on.

[sweetie]

Good luck, I know how it goes. I am sorry to hear about your color issue. I do know how it goes!! The pet stores around here all have agouti, black, or PEW.

I noticed in another thread you got them and are now trying to figure out dynamics. I posted to that one. Good luck.

[annie]

Thank you Sweetie for your support. I can't wait to see what you had to say about the aggresive male. My gut feeling is to take him back.

We have 5 rabbits also and one of them is called Sweetie ( named by my daughter. The others are Hopi, Lobo, Gracie, and Garlic; yes Garlic although I do not know where she came up with that name
Thanks again!

Annie

[sweetie]

Yeah that is pretty much what I said too. I hate to say that or even suggest it but it is probably for the best!!

I bet it would pay off in the long run since then you won't have to explain to your kids the reason the other gerbils are hurt or worse!

[Ann]

ok, you must think I'm nuts. He is now getting along with all the others. No fights at all tonight. Kept the toilet paper holder (cardboard ready all night). They are all sleeping together now. Pooped from running around all evening.

Don't think I will take him back now, things are looking up. My daughter and I are attached to every one of them, we just sat and watched them all evening. Took some pretty good pic's too that I hope to share soon as I figure it out.

Bottom line is if they do end up fighting when they get older, we can put two of them in our 20 gallon tank. They are for sure better with us than someone else.

Thanks again for your support; funny how things can change. Annie

[sweetie]

Annie,

I am so happy to hear it. I would definitely keep an eye on them.
The 5-8 month mark is when they exhibit aggressive behaviors. The are adolescent males and begin the *puberty* thing at this age.

Things to look for that may indicate that it is time to separate them are: chasing, slap fighting, excessive mounting, cuts bleeding around eyes, nose, throat, or genitals, and squeeking.

If you watch them daily, and then you see them behaviong in a different manner suddenly, you may want to split them before a fatality/wound occurs.

I am very happy you have decided to keep them all. I know what you mean about getting attatched to all of them. I have 8 and now 5 pups. It will even be hard to adopt out the pups!!