3 replies to this topic

[Chel the ham ham]

I got two new mice about a 3 weeks ago. I just tried introducing them to my previous two mice, and it went terribly. First of all, they have pretty significant size difference. The new ones are much larger and older. First put Tara (old mouse) and Togepi (new mouse) on my sanitized desk. They avoided each other for a good five minutes, then sniffed each other’s butts and ran in circles.Togepi started trying to go under Tara, and then the started fighting. Loudly. I separated them for about 15 minutes and then tried again. Same results. I gave up on them, and tried with Willow (old) and Pika (new). The second I put them together they started fighting. I immediately separated them. Luckily none of the mice were injured.

I’m really discouraged right now and I don’t know what to do. Worst case scenario, I can build a divider in my detolf. Should I even bother trying again? If I should, what should I do? I’m worried their size difference is too big for them to get along. Please help!

[Lillias]

It's probably best to keep them in two separate enclosures. Are they all female?

[Sparrow]

Do you have a bathtub or a storage container? A desk would be overwhelming for introductions. Put the younger ones in first, wait 5 minutes and then put the older two in. Fighting is normal, let them work the new dynamic out between themselves. Sprinkle some food and leave out cucumber slices all over the place. Leave them for at least two hours and only separate if you see blood. Put in a hide with multiple openings for easy escape in case one gets trapped. Make sure there is no scent of any of the mice on any of the things you place in the introduction space.

Where there is a noticeable difference in size, you never put in just one tiny mouse with a large mouse as that is like asking for the little one to be picked on. They need to go to one another for comfort.

Please do not be alarmed if you see one mouse being more dominant than the others - unless you see one mouse continuously picking on just one other mouse or if there is blood, there is no need to separate.

Leave them in the introduction space for at least two hours. Establishing dominance and group dynamic takes time. Use that time to prepare their new living space. It needs to be neutral, with no previous mouse smells and small enough that they will not separate into two colonies. Something the size of a 20 gallon tank would be perfect. Check if all four are sleeping together and then wait on extra week - then you can move them to their permanent home (like your detolf).

Best of luck!

[ForgetfulBreeze]

Make sure that it is in a separate room with absolutely no mice smells. That was my main issue with introducing my mice, I did it too close to their cage. A bathtub or a large container should work best. Put plenty of hideouts with at least 2 exits, paper towel tubes work good or even if you DIY a new one out of cardboard. Hope this helps! I would also leave them for as long as possible-fights are normal but if there is ANY blood I would separate and put both into each side of the detolf.