A new ferret "appeared" in my buisness about 2 weeks ago. Ok, so I adopted her from someone, but that's another story...Anyways, after she checked out OK with the vet, she got to meet the rest of the bunch. I have *never* had a problem introducing new ones...until now. I don't know if she smells funny, looks funny, or is just one of those snobby ferrets, but I have never had a fert get beaten up on so harshly. I've been able to get her used to Joe and Phil and rotate those 2 when it comes time to keep one in the cage with her. Maddie is about 8 months old, and has always been an only ferret, which is part of the problem. She has no clue how to interact with other ferts, so she screams (she's a very vocal weasel) when one even tries to scruff her and play with her. She hisses when they (all but Joe and Phil) come near her. I blame that part on her being an only child, and they leave her alone when she starts in on them. Now here is my main problem: Calvin. Calvin is not a bright bulb, and he's deaf on top of it, so he doesn't hear her scream "UNCLE!". But when it comes to these two, it's not a matter of him trying to play with her, and her getting confused and scared. Oh no, Calvin had to make it difficult this time. He's out for blood with Maddie. He hunts her down, jumps on her back (picture the Crocodile Hunter going after a croc), grabs her scruff, bites down, shakes her harder then I've ever seen him shake anything, and his tail then procedes to puff up. Meanwhile, Maddie is pooping and screaming like he's killing her, which I'm not doubting he is trying to do. I've done everything I've been able to think of. Give him time out, put Ferretone on her scruff, tried to introduce them by letting them smell each other, given a plate of Ferretone so they can all lick at it together, given Calvin extra attention, given everyone baths all at one, put some of her bedding in with him...I was going to do the Bitter Apple on her scruff thing, but she's got a few cuts from his teeth, and I don't think it would be wise to put that stuff on the cuts...ouch! Maddie actually either hides in/under something while everyone is out, or jumps up on me, and sits on my shoulders or in my arms watching everyone (and then Calvin jumps on me from behind, grabs her, and she poops on me out of shear terror...yuck...). I know it's only been about 2 weeks, and sometimes this introduction/acceptance thing can take a long time, but I'm hoping someone can give me a suggestion to try something I haven't (I'm tired of the neighbors thinking strange thoughts about the screaming, and I'm tired of getting pooped on, to be quite honest). The whole shift thing (letting them out in groups at different times) really isn't an option at this point (meaning: I'll do it at last resort...heh...) because they only have the run of one room, which is the room their cages are in. I tried yesterday to do the shift thing, and the ones that had second shift raised holy hell in their cages while watching the first shift run around and have fun. They dug out litter,scattered food, beat the heck out of their water bottles, etc...help! I'm sorry this is so long, but anyone suggestions at this point would be quite appreciated. Take care! Jaymi and Spencer Plus...Leroy, Petra, Samson, Calvin, Heidegger, Joe, Phil, and Madigan Missing Bubba, Bear, Kirby, and Oppie [Posted in FML issue 2774]