From:
"Cheryl S."
Date: 2004-08-31 22:14:45 UTC
Subject: New Baby
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <200408311814.45841.galewolf@nycap.rr.com>
Hello,
We recently brought a new baby (ferret) home and have begun the process of
introduction. I have done this before with the same male and female and they
took to the new ferret without any problems. Last time we introduced a fairly
large (for his age) male, this time it is a VERY tiny petite little girl
(about half the size of the male we had introduced to them before).
So - we have a Marshall's Playpen and that is where we started the intro. Both
times they have all been together they have both grabbed her by the throat.
The last time this happened my male had her pinned against one wall of the
playpen and was just holding her down by her throat. My female has grabbed
her by the throat a few times and will drag her around the playpen by the
back of her neck (which to some degree is normal behavior for them). I have
witnessed her shaking the baby. Every time they get a bit to agressive for my
taste I stop it. It hasn't been all like this. In fact as I type they are all
curled up in the playpen sleeping together. They curled up with her as she
was sleeping by herself.
I guess I am just looking for advice. Is it normal to see agression like this
in a new introduction? For now she is staying in the playpen when we aren't
around to supervise and the other two stay in their cage. I have only let
them interact while I can watch them. I am worried too because she is soooooo
very, very tiny. Should I just continue on the way I have been? Letting them
play and stopping and overly agressive behavior? Or, should I give her a few
weeks to get bigger and let them interact again?
Thanks a bunch for any advice!
Cheryl S.