Introducing marmosets......

[mat_worrell]

Hi all

I'm sure by now you have all at some point seen my thread on fizz my female marmoset. I am in the process of sourcing her a male companion an just wondered if anyone had any tips about how to introduce them (once I have the male).

How would you suggest going about it and any previous experiences info or tips would be greatly appreciated.

There are two main strategies I am considering:

1. House the male separately but next to the female or at least within sight and take it al thier pace, allowing them time to get used to eachother and bond before allowing them to be together.

Or

2. Put the male straight in with the female in her territory and allow her to dominate and let them 'sort things out' for them selves obviously keeping a very close eye and stepping in if things turn nasty.

I want to make the introduction with minimal fuss, least possible amount of stress and in a way that neither of them are harmed in anyway (or me for that matter!! Lol)

As I said any hints, tips, secrets, info or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Merifield]

Quarantine would be good . Seeing each other but not touching or breathing
on each other. Stool samples etc to the vet.
Donna

[PETERAROBERTSON]

Youve already given the correct answers in your post mat...if any of the two have had any type of hand rearing ,,then it would be best to go with your second definately as sometimes hand reared are difficult to introduce...on the other hand if none are hand reared then they can be put in together...sometimes you get a scirmish but mostly its vocal,,then again in 9 out of ten they go together like they were meant to be..but i would also give the opinion that you should never buy or recieve a marmie from someone you dont know..anyone serious about the welfare of the animal would insist in getting to know you before they would let the animal move on..if they dont then they are in my opinion only interested in the finantial gain..this again would in my opinion eliminate the need for quarantine..unless they were imported then it would be law and defo needed..vet checks again get to know who you are recieving from...if they dont answer your questions correctly then just dont go any further..there are plenty people unknown who keep and breed these wonderfull animals and most who i know never under any sircumstances advertise on the net to sell..that has no relevance to anyone its my opinion and personal view...ive never had any probs pairing up and as i discussed earlier on the telephone its mainly down to hand rearing and being kept on their own for too long..they get that used to humans that they think that they are part of that troop instead of their own kind...they dont realise they are a monkey..it can be quite a shame as there is instances that with all efforts they never get with there own kind they think we are their kind..like the ads you see..it wont need company it will have me,,,,stupid...ive had cases to take stock when they reach maturity and start bitting...trying to be dominant..can be quite agressive in males especialy...get it all the time..can you house it ,i dont want it anymore its bitting my wife...good on them i say...stop looking for a wee cuddly companion,,as they will always be wild..at some point...seems silly giving an answer to your post especialy after speeking earlier...but enjoy some of the answers...take it easy and speek soon...peter

[PETERAROBERTSON]

This seems a bit ott...should mat be breathing on it????

[Zoo-Man]

I agree with Peter. When I introduce my male to my female, I put him into the aviary where she had been living for only a couple of days. They went straight together, sussed each other out with a few squeaks & trills, & that was that. As Peter says, hand-reared marmosets who are heavily imprinted on humans are much more hard work to integrate with their own kind.

[PETERAROBERTSON]

You got it colin,,,it is a definate problem and its one thats created by humans..there are extreme cases when they need to be solitory...(injuries etc) but for human gain and satisfaction it is totaly wrong and should be stamped out...this will all change in the near future as defra are considering putting all species on a10..this would be brill as it would stamp out the parrot cage people...they would be vetted by proper authorities before you could keep...better all round for the animals welfare and it would let all understand whats involved in keeping primates before there trial and error does any damage...good to have them steady but they should always be wild...

[Merifield]

so you wouldn't recommend that a few weeks quarantine (as in separate cages in the same house) would be a good idea while you get stool samples checked
and had a good chance to really observe your new arrival before potentially passing on any really nasty viruses or germs to your present animal?
Seems strange to me. I wouldn't put any new animal in with anything of mine
unless I had checks done and observed it for at least two weeks... but hey
maybe I'm really weird

[mat_worrell]

I think for certain animals and certain situations yes it's a good idea. But not necessary with primates (and my situation inparticular) as I would not be getting a primate from just any source. I would be getting a male from a very reputable source that has a wealth of knowledge and keeps their primates in fantastic enclosures and from someone that really cares about them rather than someone just wanting to make money. I have an intend to continue keeping in contact with them and through doing so get to know about them and their primates.

However yes I agree that it would be good if you did not know of where the primate came from and thier background.

[Merifield]

But not necessary with primates
However yes I agree that it would be good if you did not know of where the primate came from and thier background.[/QUOTE]

Erm... all sorts of nasties that can flare up in the stress of moving... especially in very young animals. And that's a well known fact but hey it's not me putting my Marm at risk... you do what you think is right or most convenient for you.

[PETERAROBERTSON]

What about exrays for calcium deficiancy, the most common occurance in marmasets that are not cared for in the correct manner...this list could be endless...i know and respect a substantial amount of primate keepers and zoos and have never heard of quarantine time for marmies being introduced...but hey maybe you could be correct and they are all wrong...