Introducing new chipmunks

[Teresa]

Our only chipmunk who is male is soon to be moved into our outside aviary and we will hopefully be getting two females.
How do I go about introducing them?
Do I wait untill I get the females and put them all in the aviary on the same day.

[tarcus/Kevin]

My recomendation would be to allow the females twenty four hours inside the new aviary first to establish it is theirs before introducing the male. others may take the opposite view introducing both at once would mean them squabbling=as to who is "king of the castle"

[Doghouse135]

MMmmm - can't help there I'm afraid as I've only introduced males before but I always put them in cages next to each other for a couple of weeks and swap their soiled shavings/compost etc into each others cages every couple of days so they get used to each other's smell and then put them into a completely new environment at the same time.

It's worked for me but as I said, I've only introduced males before.

Good luck though 

[sarah-J]

Hi Teresa,     

When I put mine into the aviary for the first time, I got the males 2 weeks before the females.  I left them in the small cage for the weekend, putting them outside in the day and in the shed at night (was late October) to get used the cold. When the girls arrived I did the same with them, but I put them in the aviary still in the small cage, in the day so they could see touch and smell each other, then the shed at night, I then just let them out in the day time and they all got on fine.

As doghouse135 suggested would be an idea also, I never thought about swapping bedding or giving it a clean first at the time, But I'll be doing that this time.  Also put out extra food and fresh spread about so they have lots of choice and not fighting over it, The females will soon be busy filling their pouches etc.

Not got my females yet, hope yours come soon.

Sarah.   

[Teresa]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions think I'll put one in the cage in the aviary and the other in the aviary(if the cage will fit in).

Do females tend to take charge over the males?

Sarah,
I've got a few numbers for breeders who have babies ready now and in a few weeks. One in manchester has dilute females
www.ukclassifieds.co.uk/baby_chipmunks_for_sale-o104932.html.  (hope thats right)
I'm still not ready with the aviary yet its taking longer than planned.

[sarah-J]

Sarah,
I've got a few numbers for breeders who have babies ready now and in a few weeks. One in manchester has dilute females
www.ukclassifieds.co.uk/baby_chipmunks_for_sale-o104932.html.  (hope thats right)
I'm still not ready with the aviary yet its taking longer than planned.
[/quote]

Thankyou Teresa,

I checked out the site, called Martin and decided to get 2 white females, Didn't want an aviary full of whites so will get a brown one later.

He still has 3 white females and 2 white males left. approx 6 weeks old. He's in manchester. Also has another litter of mixed colour, not ready for a couple of weeks, unsure of the sexes as he's not looked yet. 

New chips called Rosie and starly, not sure if i will be able to tell them apart yet!!! Time will tell   
Sorry Doghouse, still to far for you! But at least we won't fight any more!! lol.   

[Doghouse135]

Aaarrrrgggghhhhh - you beat me to it Sarah 

Only joking - I'm really pleased for you - bet they're gorgeous.  I'm gonna keep on looking - there must be someone local that has some.

Anyway, back to Rosie and Starly - where are the piccies

[Teresa]

Sarah
I'm so pleased you got some.
So you'd recommend him then?
There seem to be quite allot coming available at the mo, that pet shop in Hull Gilly told us about sounds worth a visit, only saw the note today.
I'm frustrated as my aviary is still in pieces waiting to be put up, need to get on with the garden, hoping to put it up  next weekend.

How are they all getting on, and how did you introduce them?

[sarah-J]

Hi Teresa,

Rosie and starly seem to be doing ok.  There quite young still, so I have been keeping an eye on them indoors,
( yippee I'm an indoory!!! lol)

I don't normally let my babies go till about 9 weeks old, and these are 6 weeks, they have been drinking and eating some of the food but not tried to store any yet, as they should do that all year. I'm going to try to keep them in for a couple of weeks, but they are borrowing the lager hamster cage which is not big enough to stay in to long.

I had the tv on while reading the posts, and one of them came out of bed and stood watching and swishing her tail, I turned off the tv and shes now in bed! Maybe I was keeping her awake!  Do they not realise this is my house!!! lol   

They've not met popcorn yet, but I've put them in front of the window now, so in the morning they should get a look at each other ( how mean is that, look but not touch or smell!! )

They are still nervous, and they hide when were about, so will take photos soon as they are more settled.

Popcorn has settled in very well, Comes to the front to say hello, and waits for the treats, they soon learn. He is climbing on me more now, and even took a treat off me about 3 inches long before I could break it up, was very funny with him trying to run off with it, and hide it, wouldn't fit through the holes!!   

Don't forget the pics of your aviary!!

Sarah.