I had been thinking of combining my two male cages at some point since so many of my mice numbers have died off over the last year. After months of putting it off, I finally bit the bullet and did it last night. I cleaned ZIPPY and SHERMANs cage extra carefully, and added new bedding. Then I cleaned out MAX and MILOs I created a temporary barrier out of cardboard, and chicken wire that I put in the center of the first cage. This is so they can get used to each other a little bit before interacting. ZIPPY and SHERMANs house was on the right of the temporary wall in the cage with a wheel and water dish. I then took MAX and MILOs house, water dish, and wheel, and made a mirror image set-up on the opposite side of the wall. I then carefully transported MAX and MILO in a little wooden house into the left side of the cage, opposite the other mice. (see photo included) I watched them carefully for a while. ZIPPY looked very upset about the whole thing. He sat motionless in the window of his house. SHERMAN ran on his wheel to release some tension. On the opposite side, MAX and MILO were curious about who was on the other side of the wall. MAX did try and scale the wall once, but slid down it as he tried to climb up. I was a little concerned because there was a little bit of space at the top of the wall big enough for a mouse to get through. MAX gave up after one try, and went in his house and sat motionless in the window while MILO ran on his wheel. Both of the dominant mice from each cage were sitting looking depressed, while the two subservient mice were running on wheels. I left the room briefly to do something. When I came back in the room, I noticed MILO was now in the other side of the cage running on the other mices wheel! He then tried to get into the other mices nest, but was chased out by SHERMAN who was chattering at him all upset. I decided I had better remove the wall so MILO could get back on his side. I also decided I had better make it a little taller so none of the mice could get over it again. I made it taller, but, after watching the mice moving around and exploring, decided I would give them a chance to interact, and see how it goes. ZIPPY came out of his nest went into the other nest, popped out the other side, and jumped right up to the second level where MAX was sitting, and gave him what looked like a hug, as he checked him out briefly. Then, he walked around exploring the layout. MAX and SHERMAN seemed to particularly hit it off, which is interesting, since I was particularly worried about them the most. Later that night, they all seemed so happy to be together. ZIPPY was running all over the cage in excitement. I saw new life in both pairs that I hadnt seen in a while. They were running about the cages, jumping from wheel to wheel, wrestling a bit, switching from one wheel to another, sharing wheels with different partners. I was so happy they had each made some new friends, Glad they had someone else to play with, and cuddle up next to at night. If only I had combined their cages sooner!
Posted on: Mon, 26 May 2014 22:31:20 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015