Fighting chinnies - Paw Talk

***Dena*** · #1 02-28-2002, 05:47 PM

I noticed that my 3 male chins have been fighting lately. One of them was a bit beaten up. He has been in the little hide box for a couple of days and I thought it was because he wasn't feeling well because he got his foot caught in the water bottle (don't ask) when I took him out to check his foot I noticed that one toe was completely gone. I thought maybe his little accident was worse than I had originally thought. They next day when I took him out half of his ear was almost completely bitten off making it obvious that someone is picking on him. I feel so bad for him. They have been housed together for over a year and they are all almost 2 years old. This has never happened before and they all used to sleep together. Does anyone know why they would suddenly turn on each other? I have not moved them into the really big cage yet but now I am wondering if I will have to permanently separate them or do you think the extra space will help? I feel like such a failure as a chin mommy? Anybody have some advise?

***Dena*** · #2 02-28-2002, 06:07 PM

The toe is okay - the ear looks much worse. Looks like a may have to get a new buddy for the other. I know he still gets along with my black velvet and that is the one that seems to be agressive towards the beige, yet they snuggle together to sleep, and the beige is the one beating up on the tan. The black velvet will still go in and snuggle with the tan. It is just so sad and confusing. Thanks for the advise. I think I might take the tan into the vets - you don't think there is a chance he is being beaten up because he is sick? I don't know if chins will do that or not.

***Jade*** · #3 02-28-2002, 06:55 PM

So sorry to hear about this Dena,

but I wanted to offer my own, unexperienced and purely philosophical guess.

Chins are social animals as I understand and it would make sense to me that if a member of the herd were sick, the others might reject it for safety's sake in the wild. I am not sure how this all applies in your case but you might consider a vet check, just to be on the safe side.

Give him a cuddle for me. Best wishes.

#4 02-28-2002, 07:09 PM

We had a very similar instance where we had a trio and the one girlkept getting picked on after they had lived together for several months in peace, we moved them to a larger cage and it didn't help at all. I would sugesst seperating him and letting him heal. I think if he is already injurded they will countinue to pick on him.. For the ear, put poly or neosporin on it until it heals. He will be fine with the one toe missing as long as he is not limping on that foot.

***Dena*** · #5 02-28-2002, 09:56 PM

I went out and bought 2 116Qt sterilite tubs for Isobella (the hedge hog) And I got my dremel for V-day! I will be moving the injured chin into the smaller cage, just until I move, and then he'll go into a bigger cage. I found another wound on his back and I know one more night of them together and he will probably be dead.

I just can't help but feel so bad. This all just happened within a few days too, I even slept in the same room with them to make sure they behaved and it was like the one waited until I left to pick on the other one. Oh well, everyone should be happy now. Thanks for all the help everyone!