If at First You Don't Succeed...

Overnight activity in the cages seemed to be going OK. The four of them were checking each other out, and there was some noise at times. So, we decided to try and introduce them yesterday. It was clear that it was Foehn and Sprite that had the "issues" - CB and Rossby seemed to be pretty matter-of-fact about it all. The strategy was to intro the two girls first, and then work in the boys.

CB and Foehn (left) and Rossby and Sprite (right)
checking each other out a few nights ago.

Off I went into the bathroom with Sprite in one pouch and Foehn in another. They eyed each other from opposite ends of the bathtub and cautiously approached. Within seconds they were balled up making a racket. I separated them and they seemed to be OK. After a period of time they would sniff each other, but at the slightest sound or movement Sprite would jump away. This lasted for about an hour, during which they generally avoided each other. The good news is that no one was going after the other.
Foehn was looking for a place to sleep, and Sprite was having a good time climbing and jumping.

After about 90 minutes of this I went out and talked to M and we decided to bring Rossby into the mix. Our feeling was that if Foehn and Rossby got along, Sprite would realize that and want to be with Rossby enough to get past her jitters with Foehn. We had some diazepam that we got to help Cirrus reduce her anxiety at one time, and gave a dose to Sprite in hopes it would calm her down. I brought Rossby into the bathroom and let him and the girls out in the bathtub. He paused for a second, and then walked right past Foehn into the pouch she was in. You could see the wheels turning in Sprite's head. She wanted to follow him in, and did make a couple of attempts before backing out.  It was probably another 30 minutes or so before the diazepam kicked in. You could tell she had mellowed out, and spent a lot of time just sitting and watching. I moved the pouch with Foehn and Rossby near her. She so wanted to join Rossby, and again made several attempts to go in but got spooked. After two and a half hours there was no more progress. Perhaps a change in tactic would help. CB has always been our laid back glider, and last time he and Sprite had no problems. I brought him in and let them see each other in the bathtub. Sprite immediately went after CB and there was much noise. I kept them separated, and at that point we thought it best to call it quits for the day.

Last night CB, Foehn, and Rossby spent the night in the big cage and Sprite was by herself in the other. They will have the same arrangement tonight. Right now Sprite is in the office with me for play time, and she has been very active as usual. I'm sure she has been looking for signs of Rossby, as he was her earlier. We are going to make another attempt  to get them all together on Thursday.