Introducing Dahlia to my other female rats?

[KassandraMorseMe]

So ive introduced rats before and its been almost two months since i got my baby Dahlia, she was three weeks when i got her. She was a feeder and the people had took her from her mom WAYY to early so i took her. And i have four other females, Chester, Chex,Fibber and flake and they are all full grown and the youngest of that group is at least over half a year. They live in a large cage together and i wanted to add Dahlia to that mix but im kind of scared too. Last time i tryed to introduce my rats my oldest rat Sweetpea attacked Chester and left an inch long gash on her shoulder. I was to scared to try it again.
If i keep waiting to introduce Dahlia to the others will she get aggressive? she is still a baby but i know baby's can get that way too.
There cages are right next to eachother and they all seemed fine but when chex notices her she got all angry. but got over it fast.
That swap cages thing would be a good idea, but Dahlias cage is small, and the girls's cage is huge and it would cause them to fight from the lack of room.

 

[Save the Wild]

put vanilla on all of them so they smell the same. than put them together. see what happens. good luck 8]

 

[Alex and Co.]

Put her close to the cage and she how they all react

 

[Lisa Morse]

It's good that they are seeing each other already. However, I would keep waiting until Dahlia is at least 3 months old. I know that's only another week, but I would still wait, perhaps even for another two weeks. Female rats are generally more accepting of other adults rather than babies.

The next step is to get them all in a neutral area, as you probably know from your last introduction. Covering them all in lavender, vanilla essence or tuna oil will help make them all smell the same, and they can bond by helping each other get clean. Eating tuna all together will also be a bonding experience.
Keep the smell on them when you move them to an area your older four are used to playing. Give them all cuddles at the same time to show that you have accepted Dahlia as one of the group, the theory being that the others will accept your lead as alpha.
Make sure that you clean and re-arrange the cage before trying to put them all in together, so that the older girls are less territorial about it.

Best of luck and don't be scared to back off a step and try again later. Stay patient - it could take a while. Hope it all goes well!

 

[Jessi Ree]

Put all of your other rats in her cage & put her in their cage so they can get used to eachothers scent.. (leave them for about two days & switch them back..)

Then after two more days, take the new one out &.do a 10 min. Introduction with each rat SEPARATELY..(so they dont gang up on her)
& make sure you introduce them some place new to all rats so there is no teritory issues..

If all goes well, rearange the big cage.. Clean it well, so that their scents are gone & it looks different, then place them all together & monitor them.