Is this a good way to introduce a new chinchilla?

[k9luvr3]

My chinchillas cages have been next to eachother for about a week, and I have been switching their cages, for 5 days. I was wondering if i can put my old one in a carrier in a large playpen. then let my new one run around the carrier, and then switching them, and once they seem fine, to open the carrier. and i know that it'll take a few days

 

[Stefani]

Yes you are doing is fine. There are several different ways to try it. They may never get used to each other though. It is best to pair them up when they are kits rather than adults. If they are kits they should get along just fine. But putting an adult stranger in with another adult can tend to start fights. And believe me they can do damage. But in some cases they automatically get along great! Two males tend to get along quicker than two females would.

Another way to try it is a little trick I learned where you put something scented (something safe) on their furs just a little hint of scented perfume or scented dust bath powder, anything like that, put it on both of the chinchillas and then put them together to see how they react. (don't spray perfumes directly onto the chinchillas rub it in your hands first then handle them and the smell will transfer. I prefer using organic body sprays or the chinchilla scented dust bath only for trail use) They react to smells as well and in most cases if the two "smell the same" they become fast friends. It's tricky and only works sometimes lol.
And I would only try it once or twice because scented stuff isn't all that good for chinchillas. People tend to use scented dust bath for their chinchillas and I don't approve of it because it does cause allergies for them. But using it once or twice to get the two acquainted will be fine.

Here's a website for more tips

http://www.huggablepets.com/huggablepets/addingchins.shtml

 

[Aimee]

That's good, but take your time. Putting two chinchillas together can take 3-4 weeks. If they get in a big fight then you will have to start all over, so take it slow the first time so it won't take even longer.

Helpful website: http://www.chinchillaplanet.com/introducing-two-chinchillas/