Hopefully this is in the right spot.

So... I got to thinking. One of the things most suggested when trying to combine duos and/or trios to form a colony is to start intro's as one on one, until 'everybody has met each other and gets along'. BUT..

#1. Isn't it scents that they most dislike from the 'stranger' glider?

#2. IF a glider from group 1 doesn't like a glider from group 2, wouldn't it cause problems with gliders within group one when you've intro'd (successfully) glider 2 from group one with the glider from group two that glider 1 from group one doesn't like?

Dear heavens that sounds confusing, but I hope you understand what I'm asking.

To elaborate.

I have:
Group 1: Daisy, Ohana, and Tempo
Group 2: Charlie, Elodie, and Jynx

Daisy and Tempo show extreme interest in the other trio. Group 2/trio 2 shows extreme interest in group 1.

HOWEVER, Ohana seems to have a heavy hatred for group 2, but it seems to be more towards Elodie.

SO... What happens if I successfully intro, say, Tempo and Elodie and then place Tempo back with her group? Would Ohana go insane that Tempo has Elodie's scent on herself now?

This is something that has had me kinda confused for a while, but the more I think about it, the more I am confused.

So, I throw it to all of you.

Thoughts?

Bump... ?

I wish I could help, but I've only done one intro and it was one-on-one intro....hopefully someone will come along soon!

Thanks Jess.

I've done one one on one intro and two one on two intros, but nothing to create a colony, which IS what I would love to get my two trios to become.

Ive always been confused on the whole intros for colonies as well. Since noone has seen your post maybe pm someone with a colony? I know Meg and von just did intros for her colony. She is very nice and would help you im sure. You could also ask some of the master glider members. Hope you get your answer!!

Smell is PART of the equation, but not all. Gliders are territorial, as well and this also factors into introductions. This is why we say that it oftentimes works trying to introduce the most easygoing or laid back glider in your colony to the newest member you're bringing in. Because that laid back glider is already an accepted member, they can sometimes "sway" the jury (your established colony) by accepting and becoming friends with the newbie, thus showing the other members that the newbie is okay. Case in point...when I intro'd Penny with the monkeys, I first introduced her to Bug, my youngest and most accepting of all. It took her only a short time to put Penny in her place and let her know the ropes. Then, I brought Teeka in. She wasn't quite as "nice" as Bug. Then, I brought Bug into the mix, she went to Penny because they were "friends" and then Teeka began to explore and move towards Penny to say hello. Ultimately, BOTH girls accepted Penny, then it was Bandit's turn. He was a tough sell and it took a few days. Each time I would put the girls back in with him, he DID smell Penny's scent and would really work the girls over, trying to get it off them so you're right, it IS a real part of intros. Just not all of it.

Thanks Aimee. Now you can just do the intros for me.

I've gone through 3 successful intro's, but before I got Charlie I tried (twice) to intro Ohana and Elodie, and Ohana just was NOT having it.

Even with cages semi-side by side she was still Ms. Evil.

*sigh*

I just wish she'd be the lover that the other 5 are.

Wish you were closer, I'd definitely help out! Try it...see what happens. It may not happen overnight, it could take a bit of time...but be patient. TREATS! Use a lot of them. When they look at one another, give them a treat. When they move towards one another, give them a treat. If they touch or sniff or lick...treat. And so on and so forth. But putting all of them in at one time is a recipe for disaster...do it slowly and methodically, one by one and see if that helps!

I'm having the same debate! Just got two more gliders, a brother and sister. I have just been switching pouches and letting their cages be next to each other.

The boy is getting neutered soon so i havent been pushing for intros... thought it would be kinda mean to be like "heres your new family! oh but you just had surgery... so next week! lol

I'm waiting till after the surgery... i didnt think in the mean time about one on one intros with my new girls to the rest of the clan!

Thats a great idea! Thanks Meg and Aimee! This post was helpful for me as well. I was just going to do it like i did when i brought my third glider home! But i had two girls and added a young boy... they loved him instantly!

I understand your concerns Megs, I am facing my first colony to colony introduction, and there is a big difference in introducing only one glider to a colony verses introducing a colony to another colony.

The scents play a huge part yes, but, what happens when you switch blankets or pouches? Do they attack the blanket? I think we can agree that the whole idea is to get them used to each others scents first. Like Aimee said, they will excessively mark each other rather than hurt their own colony pals.

I have switched toys, blankets, pouches etc. I have one glider that is really upset about the whole process, so I am backing down now. What I did do was to switch cages for an hour and watch their behavior. Muchu, the one not wanting to be friends with the other colony, was super agitated when alone in the other cage, but as soon as his buddies were there with him, he started to mark, play and explore. He was more comfortable knowing his buddies are ok with the whole situation and there with him.

They also use the same playroom, so they are getting more and more of each other's scent. As soon as I see they are comfortable with all the scents, I'll start the one on one's.

We use the bathroom for play time. It's just easier that way right now. That being said, obviously their scents don't stick around.
Come income tax I'll be getting a Sansbug tent.

Liezl, to answer your question, Ohana does some major territorial crabbing when the cages are even 2 feet away from each other. But when the cages are across the room, they all bark to each other and stare across to one another like they want to play with each other. When I switch pouches and/or cages, they all mark it up like crazy. I end up with a smelly house, which I always welcome in hopes that they'll eventually love each other.

Aimee, thanks for the advice.
Being that I just recently intro'd Charlie to Jynx and Elodie, I'll be waiting for some time before trying to get everybody together.

Maybe by adding this neutered male into the picture it will welcome the door for all around friendship.

Take it slow, I would do one on ones with the gliders who have the best demeanor from each cage, and move one from nice-nice, nice-moderate, nice-rude but overtime and slowly.

Let nice-nice play together for half the night and then see how the colonies feel about their member smelling like "that other cage"

I feel like all intros are different so from your own findings play around with what you feel needs to be done.

Take it slow and don't get your hopes up!

How are things going with the intro's Megs? It's going slooooowwwww this side.

I tried Boesman and Kaida for the past two nights, and Boesman is a little weirdo, he would cuddle up with Kaida, chatter, and then suddenly attack her.

Chatter and attack at the same time?!? I had to separate them on both occasions...we'll get there.

Thanks Vicious.

Liezl,
I haven't bothered yet. I'm waiting until all of Charlie's fur grows back in. He hasn't been with 'his ladies' all that long, and I want them to be an established trio that know each other well before bothering with trying to get them with the 'other' trio.

As a matter of fact, I still have their cages on opposite sides of the room.

What a weirdo!

Time, time and more time, huh?

I'm not procrastinating or anything. >_<