i'm a nervous momma tonight

by scaredymouse Tue 24 May 2016, 2:01 am

My tiny little Jellybean has been here for three weeks now and it was time to kick her out of her private suite and stick her in the big house with the rest of the ladies. I was, of course, hoping that it would go super smooth but it's not. It's not that bad, I've had worse... but every time I hear a squeak, I cringe. I'm so attached to that little baby, I just feel bad that she's having a rough day. She's doing great though. She's squeaking a lot and a few of the ladies are sniffing/chasing. But in between all that, she comes down from the hammock and runs and eats. Sometimes she even holds her ground, takes the sniffing, and doesn't make a peep. And everyone else is going about their normal mouse business. And no blood Confetti

I expect to wake up in the morning and see her in a cuddle pile. Gosh, she is just so little compared to everyone else. She's only 20g now. I'm pretty sure that my smallest mouse is nearly twice her size. Not ideal for introductions, but i'm hoping that since she's so young, she'll fall into line really quickly. I have a good colony. I'm glad Gilly and Furgie are still around, they give the best cuddles to new mice. Jellybean really likes Furgie and Delilah, so at least it's not all bad so far. I thought I was all worried out after Penny, my scaredymouse. But apparently, I'm still full of it. Worry, that is. Happy

by CinnamonPearl Tue 24 May 2016, 5:43 am

Oh, I know how it feels to be worried over introductions. I don't think I've ever had one go completely smoothly. Little Cow has seen to that. She was quite the bully to my Petsmart girls. (Though in the end, even though they still had the occasional argument, Little Cow and Lilith did learn to get along in the end.) I find the best way to get yourself through it is to just put on a video or read a book while it's going on, so you're not just sitting there watching and worrying. But look up often, of course.

by essentiallysue Tue 24 May 2016, 5:55 am

When I had to introduce my old mouse to a bunch of young ones, I was so worried they'd finish her off. So I put one young mouse with her for an overnight, then the next one overnight, and the next until she had spent the night with just one at a time. Then I cleaned out the big cage and put them all in. I had no problems. She fit right in and they all slept in a nice mouse pile.

by MouseLover Tue 24 May 2016, 6:03 am

I sleep with the cage next to my bed when I'm doing introductions. I'm that nervous Laughing

Good luck little Jelly Bean!

by scaredymouse Tue 24 May 2016, 7:58 am

Oh my gosh, this morning was so funny. My little Jellybelly was sleeping alone in the hammock where she retreated to most of the evening. And all the other ladies were sleeping in the coconut. Fair enough. No blood and things were quiet. It's always the decision of the new mouse to cuddle. Anywho, she heard me come in and wanted to come out. No injuries, she didn't seem to upset. I gave her all the treats she could eat while she was in my hand. I giggled to myself. It felt like I was helping a fighter coming back to the corner at the end of a round. She was getting ready to go back in. I gave her some water. Just poured some in my hand and she slurped it up. When she was done, she just looked at me like "ok, I'm ready". And I put my hand in the tank, and my little fighter willing stepped off. She's a funny little thing. My brave little Beansprout Clap

by scaredymouse Wed 25 May 2016, 12:14 pm

Ugh, I hate this introduction. I had to take a meanie out and put her in a tank alone last night. I'm so glad I saw what happened and who did what. My littlest girl in the colony (Bitsy) has been making the biggest fuss about Jellybean. Definitely not who I expected to be the troublemaker. Anyway, Bitsy ambushed Jellybelly in the hammock and bit her in the butt, and drew a bit a blood. Phooey. I'm glad I saw it so I was able to take her out right away, so she knew why she was in trouble. Jellybean is fine. I can't believe she's not even shook up about any of this. I've had her out several times and she's totally normal and willingly goes back in the tank afterward. She is almost ready to climb in the nest with all the other ladies. So as soon as the squeaking settles down and after I see everyone sleeping in the coconut, I'll try to plop my itsy Bitsy bully back in. And if she's still being a jerk, there is always plan B! I would just split the colony and I know exactly who should be together.

However, with Annie being sick, this changes things. I've got 6 ladies. Gilly and Furgie are over two years old and they are not long for this world. Then I would have 2 colonies, each 2 females. Bitsy and Annie, who came together. And Jellybean and Delilah, who about both super sweet and super friendly. But now that Annie is terminally ill, Bitsy will be alone and she's my troublemaker and the whole reason I would be splitting the colonies in the first place! Sometimes females can get complicated! I'll figure it out. I just might have to get some more mice Laugh

Fingers crossed, Bitsy's time-out solves this problem. Combined with everyone else bonding in her absence.

by CinnamonPearl Wed 25 May 2016, 12:56 pm

Wait, what's wrong with poor Annie? I don't remember you mentioning that she's ill.

EDIT: just found out. I'm so sorry, Scaredy.

by MouseLover Wed 25 May 2016, 1:16 pm

That sounds like a good plan scaredymouse Two Thumbs

Poor little Jelly. What a champ though Smile

by Peachy Wed 25 May 2016, 1:22 pm

I hope everyone settles down and Bitsy decides to behave... running around biting butts, how rude! (Also sorry to hear about poor Annie. Sad

)

by scaredymouse Thu 26 May 2016, 2:52 pm

It's not the best picture, but I didn't want to disturb them! You can't tell from the picture, but there are three more happy mice in that coconut. That my Jellybean being smooshed by my Gilly. I'm so glad she got to meet Gilly, she's the best. They kinda look alike, right?
i'm a nervous momma tonight SXA6WDM

What a nice thing to see when I got up this morning Applause

My plan is going according to schedule. Bwah ha ha ha ha. One more day of this and I will reintroduce my butt biter, Bitsy, and see if she will behave. I have faith in my colony. I'd be willing to try this a couple more times before giving up on them. It's funny, I thought Jellybean & Bitsy would be best friends. The still might be. I think they are fighting for the same spot in the hierarchy. Well, Bitsy is fighting for it. I don't think Jellybean wants any trouble.

by CinnamonPearl Thu 26 May 2016, 3:57 pm

How sweet! Glad things are starting to look up. ^.^

by Peachy Thu 26 May 2016, 4:50 pm

Super cute picture!! I love that your mice sleep where you can see them. Love

by MouseLover Thu 26 May 2016, 5:02 pm

OMG SO CUTE Jump Hearts

this seriously gave me the warm fuzzies.

How nice this must feel for Jelly after being alone for 3 weeks Smile

she looks very happy, and it looks like Gilly is her Momma mouse

I hope Bitesy (haha) settles back in nicely!

by scaredymouse Thu 26 May 2016, 8:01 pm

Haha Bitesy! She is always gonna be my little butt biter. She's a very nice mouse, though. So, I feel confident that she'll fall in line. I'd be more concerned if she was the new mouse.

by scaredymouse Sat 28 May 2016, 9:47 pm

Well, I didn't want to, but it was time to but butt biter Bitsy back in with the group. My little Jellybean is doing great and everyone was being good to her. And most importantly, she got snuggles and felt safe. So, of course it makes sense to shake that up, right? But Bitsy is a good mouse, too. And her best friend Annie needs her. Annie and Bitsy came to me from Petsmart together when they were 6 weeks old, as far as I'm concerned, they are sisters. So, I plopped her back in. And it's still going according to plan. Bwah hahahaha. Bitsy still wants to bite Jelly's butt so bad (lol) but now Jellybean just runs to one of her mommas to hid behind and Bitsy stops. So there is still plenty of chasing and squeaking but now it's only between these two. And my older ladies wont tolerate that for long. I checked back in later, and the sleeping arrangements are a little fragmented but my tank has a lot of stuff going on. But, in my opinion, the important things are taken care of. Annie is still hanging in there, and now that Bitsy is back, she is right at her side. It made me really sad to keep them apart. Anyway, Jellybean runs around the tank, runs of the wheel and eats when she pleases, even tough she gets chased sometimes. But right now, she's snugged up with Furgie in a hammock, and she looks so happy. I still have 2 of everything in there, 2 wheels, 2 coconuts, and 2 food dishes. I think we're gonna be okay. And even if we weren't okay, there were so many things I could have done to help.

Baby Jellybean handled being introducted to 5 adult strangers really well. Hooray

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