I just got one rat a few days ago. I knew ahead of time that I should get one of his brothers so he'd have someone to hang out with, but I didn't have the money that day. I read up on introducing new rats to the cage, and found that you have to do it slowly ... But I am planning on getting a rat from the same place, who were my current rat's littermates. Do you think they will still have the same adjustment issues since they've lived together all their lives, or will it run more smoothly? I don't have the extra space to keep the new rat if I have to acclimate him to my current one.
I have had over 20 male rats and as many as 12 at any given point and have only ever had one problem male. Introductions are rarely difficult in my experience. The younger they are the easier it is. I usually clean out the cage and throughly disinfect it. Using a scented cleaner or deodorizing spray help return the cage to neutral ground. I wipe both rats down with a baby wipe and smear a little yogurt/peanut butter behind their ears. I bring both rats to the refreshed cage and let them meet each other. Both are miffed that they have been 'cleaned' and that there is goop behind their ears. Too difficult to reach but good tasting they are usually fast friends as they work to clean each other off and discover what appears to be a brand new cage together. I suspect your boys will have no problem as they are both young and are litter mates (?).
if you can be sure that the rat is from the same litter, then the new rat will most likely adjust more easily than your first rat , who was on his own.
