Getting Ferrets getting along. need some advice

[msav]

I am no stranger to this. But I forget about all the good ideas to help getting the new ferrets accepted by the group each time I do it. 


This time it seems a bit different.  It always does. 

The first day everybody played.  the next day they attacked. Even Taz who slept with them the first day now attacks them.

SO yesterday I setup the playpen outside in the back yard.  Completely neutral territory Nobody has been in the back yard.


Same result instant attack. everyone.  They will even attack the new ones together and gang up on them. It is not easy being a new ferret in this house right now.  


I tried to let it go with 1 on 1 sessions, but poor AL is now all Bit up. his neck is all red and has marks all over his neck. I put some Sudocrem on it and let him go back inside.


Right now they have the ferret room free roam and the others have the cage. I cycle them during playtime but they big boys always get the cage for the night and the two new ones get to free roam.

Do I need to give them some more time before trying introductions. 

I have tried the oil on their neck, bitterent on their neck, giving tho others treats when they leave the new ones alone and do not attack (rarely happens) They are so mean they instantly jump on thier back and shake them slamming their heads into the carpet/wall/floor.

Do I keep trying the introductions.  I have only been breaking it up when it becomes a 2 - 3 on 1  or when they poop.

It is so hard I feel so bad for them.  I just want them to all be friends.  




 

[Deleted]

do you have one super dominant male that is drawing blood as soon as he gets one of the new ones? Like one bite leave slices?

[msav]

Just red teeth marks. no blood. they all seem equally dominant. and attack with the same ferociousness.

[Deleted]

Not sure how well it will work for you, but we let the girls play in water together and they all seemed to calm down a lot. There was a few more little scuffles, but they began to cuddle and did it on their own the next night and have been fine since.

I hope you're able to find something that helps :/

[bitbyter]

I'm going through the same thing with Athena msav. I;m going to be trying her with Wilma again this weekend. It should be interesting as Athena is now larger than either Wilma or Socks.

[Deleted]

Before we had a dominant male that now does slices and locks on. I put them all in the tub together when i intorduced kits it worked. After there was 4 adults we bought a pair of kits the only defense was no one knew who to attack then we brought in 2 adults. It seemed introducing more helped because they couldnt attack them all. after watching to see who didnt attack as much i started putting them in a cage together for short periods. The turning point was sun bathing in a cage together on a cool day. Now this still took 3 or 4 months.

When introduction sessions go bad pee or poo just break it up and be sure to comfort both sides. Whatever their favorite stuff is make sure to do it so they dont feel like you are replacing them. Since you dont have blood it will all work out

[Deleted]

taaylorgrace: like the idea of a water session--may try that

[Deleted]

Mar 31, 2015 15:57:42 GMT -5 abbeytheferret6 said:

taaylorgrace: like the idea of a water session--may try that

Hopefully it'll work for you!

[msav]

Al and Gypsy are not aggressive at all. I feel so bad for them, They don't fight back. They just lay there limp when caught. I feel like I have to step in.

and with 5 ferrets chasing them and cornering them they cannot avoid being caught.

I tried one on one sessions but it is one ferret chasing the other ferret around the house.

I would not feel so bad if they retaliated and bit them back.

[Deleted]

To add to the water thing, I also heard that introductions is also one of those times when it would be a good idea to wash them, with gentle soap or oatmeal or whatever you use. Because misery together unites them, and then afterwards they all start to smell a lot similar to each other.

[msav]

We did ear cleanings all the same day we brought them home.

Mainly because I did not want a mite infestation.

However That may be why the first day we did not have any drama.

However everyones fur is so nice and silky smooth I don't want to wash that away.

The previous owner gave the new ones a bath. They smelled like perfume That is just starting to get of them now. Gypsy smells and looks like chocolate. But I may just do it if it means they might get along better.

[Deleted]

to add to the water thing, I also heard that introductions is also one of those times when it would be a good idea to wash them, with gentle soap or oatmeal or whatever you use. Because misery together unites them, and then afterwards they all start to smell a lot similar to each other.

Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/17850/ferrets-advice?page=1#ixzz3W15VJH1P


This is sounding sweeter and sweeter

[Deleted]

The turning point was sun bathing in a cage together on a cool day. Now this still took 3 or 4 months.

Read more: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/17850/ferrets-advice#ixzz3W1I8rKtJ

Well that was smart thinking, knowing how much a ferret loves being warm.