should I keep them together?

[abbyrat]

How long does it take female ratties to figure out dominance issues?  I finally was able to put my new baby rat, Eve, into the cage with my one-year-old does Nellie and Alice.  Nellie was not very receiving of Eve prior to putting them together, and it took a while and a few trips to the bathtub before Nellie could be with Eve in a neutral area without trying to bite her.

Now they are in the same cage, and although there is no biting, Nellie and Eve only seem to get along together when they are asleep.  The thing is, Eve is now the instigator!  I think Eve wants to be the dominant rat.  She will follow Nellie around, sniffing at her and making aggressive moves, until Nellie gets sick of it and chases Eve around the cage.  Eve is squeaking loudly the whole time, even though Nellie isn't even touching her.  Eve inevitably ends up diving under poor Alice, and Alice ends up standing between Nellie and Eve, squeaking her annoyance at the situation.

I think it may be stressing Alice.  I don't want to take her out though, as she doesn't do well by herself.  None of them seem to like being alone.  So I do I wait it out?  Will Nellie and Eve eventually figure out who is dominant?  How long do I let them try to hash it out?

Sue A. (owned by Nellie, Alice, and the feisty Eve)

[MoRats]

Definitely keep them together.  The dominance of my rat cage changed when I got the new ones who became dominant.  It happens.  The older rats get over it and everyone gets along before you know it!

[elegy]

as long as there is no blood, i'd let them go. they have to work it out among themselves, but not to the point of injury.