How to introduce new rats to eachother in this situation..?

[Brynna Taylor]

My rats are male
they are 3 years old
the 3 rats knew eachother before, but patrick and spongebob (The two "dominant" male rats) beat him up.. or so I think. I woke up one day to gary (the "non-dominant" male) with bloody fur, so I took him to live by himself (for a year) Gary is very shy and timid and doesn't even like to be touched. He usually stays in his igloo all day and sleeps, and yes, this wasn't a good idea for me to move him by himself, but my dad wouldn't let me take him to the emergancy exotic animal vet, and it was my last resort. Now, since they are old and tired, I think it's time to reintroduce. Especially because I'm getting the three of them one huge cage in a week or two. How do I reintroduce Gary to Patrick and Spongebob so that they won't beat him up? Thanks.
My mom might not let me get a 4th one. It's also a big responsibility, these are my first three rats, and when they die, I'm keeping it at 2 or 3 at the most, still.

 

[Lauren]

I got one feeder rat when I was in college because she was all by herself and hated to think that she would be a snack. My ex-boyfriend then got a female rat and then decided he did not want her so I took her. My rat, Tavi, was use to being alone and did not welcome the new comer at first. The other rat, Honey, wanted to be friends so bad and Tavi would often try to bite her and one time bit her foot severely so do not just try to put them in the cage together right away!

I let mine out in the bathroom so they could run around safely, but could also get away from each other if they wanted to. The bathroom was a neutral area so neither of them could feel territorial since it did not have either of their smells. I gradually increased their time together and at first there would be mild fights, but eventually they started to interact peacefully.

When I went to put them in their large, combined cage, I made sure that it was a neutral area. I washed all of their toys and hammocks and houses so they smelled new and fresh so the rats wouldn't feel territorial. They occasionally had a tiny fight, but never any blood, and eventually became the best of friends and would cuddle up together in their house. It was so adorable! Just make sure that they have multiple houses or hammocks if they do want some alone time.

Also, I have heard that if you put the weaker rat in the cage (the large one you are going to get) and let him get his smell all over everything (maybe a week or so), the dominant rats are less likely to attack him when they are placed in the cage since it will be established that it is the weaker rats home.

In case of an emergency, keep one of your old cages. You might need it, but if you are patient and work with them I think you will be fine.

Good luck, friend! You sound like a very responsible rat caretaker so you should be just fine!

 

[Kate Helming]

let them meet in a place that none of them have really been in before. Wash out the cage with water and something that kills germs, but smells ( like vinegar, bleach, lisol, ect.). Let it soak for like 10 minutes and then rinse really well and put new bedding in. Make sure you also soak any toys that might be in there like a food dish or a wheel. Try putting all three of them together and see what happens! Now it's no ones territory, I had the exact same situation but it was with hamsters so I hope it helps!

 

[Lizzi L]

What i would do is I would let them run around on your bed to meet each other and if they try to hurt him again i would get a buddy for that timid one that is the same personality Hope it works