keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 17, 2014 15:38:45 GMT -8
okay so I have been reading a ton up about split caging my girl Leela (1-1/2 to 2 years old) with a new Gerbil. I have given up on an adoption or breeder. I simply can't afford to drive to the closest rescue gerbil 4+ hours. So I will be getting a probably 3-6 month old from a petstore. Anyway this is what I will be going to do: 1. Clean out the tank very well so no smells are left. 2. Make a divider for my 20 gallon tank diagonally down the tank with 1/4 inch hardware cloth. Completely separating both sides. 3. Put fresh bedding 2-3 inches worth on both sides with just 1 water bottle on each side and maybe one cardboard chew (perhaps put it so they have to chew near the divider) and scatter feed them. 4. Put Leela in one side and the new girl in the other side. Switch 3-4 times a day. Time it so that they spend the night on the opposite side each night. 5. Keep this up for 1-6 weeks. Until I see signs that they are getting along such as: sleeping next to each other(thru the divider), grooming each other (thru the divider), Lessening or stopping scent marking, and/or the gerils not worrying about marking their new space when being switched. So here are my questions: A. When I do the intro do I just remove the divider and be there to watch for a few hours? Remove if a ball fight or chasing/harassing is persistent without fail? B. Can I interact with Leela or the new gerbil girl at all during this process? I am thinking that I can't except for a quick health check. Thank you for any and all advice. I am worried cause this is my first intro and I've read that two adult girls are the hardest intros.
|
|
rhianna
Member
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Posts: 891
|
Post by rhianna on Mar 17, 2014 20:52:16 GMT -8
First of all I'd like for you to consider that the specific type if split you've pictured can be potentially harmful. Unless you completely seal it in with aquarium sealant, the gerbils will very likely be able to get underneath/over it or squeeze through beside it. I'd definitely recommend checking out the safer (however slightly more costly and permanent) method here: www.twinsqueaks.com/split-tank.html If you can't make one like that, then at least seal the edges and sides of the diagonal one with high quality aquarium sealant, and make sure there's no way a gerbil will be able to squeeze between the top of the split and the lid. The rest of your plan sounds great. Good job on doing your research. A. Yes, that's correct. If blood is drawn or they're harassing each other for more than a couple of hours, then put them back in the split. Don't leave them alone together until you've seen no violent/territorial behavior for at least a few hours. B. Yes you can. You may not be able to take them out for regular running around time, but you can do plenty of interacting. It may actually help with the process; keeping them both calm and helping transfer their scents to each other. Don't be too nervous about it, or you'll just make it harder on yourself and the gerbils. It's true that adult females are more difficult to introduce but there's no saying that will be the case. Every two gerbils are different, and it's best to keep your hopes up for an easy introduction. Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by GerbilUK on Mar 18, 2014 2:07:06 GMT -8
Hi, I think you have got it all covered to be honest but I have a couple of things to add. My split tank design is just like yours, and I did find it secure enough even with 6 week old babies who can squeeze through tiny holes. Having said that, none of my splits (have done three) had any aggression going on - they were all with babies. Having seen two of my males properly going for each other (in adjaecent cages) I realise now that if they had been doing that in the split they would have got through! Perhaps put them in and sit and watch for a while. If they look aggressive etc then make sure your split is strong enough before leaving them. They are unlikely to get past the edges with it being diagonal, if you are worried about them getting over the top stick a book on top or use wire ties to fasten it down tightly to the divider.
The second thing is a little trick I have done with mine, when you go to collect the new gerbil take along a cardboard box with your gerbils bedding in it. Put the new gerbil in there for the ride home. Then although you start with fresh new bedding in the split at least the new gerbil will smell vaguely familiar. I thought this helped with mine, someone may disagree I suppose but I can't see it will do much harm anyway.
Good luck. I get tons of pleasure seeing my gerbils together, it's worth the time and effort.
Wokette
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 18, 2014 9:30:40 GMT -8
I thought it would give them more room to see/smell/interact if I do a diagonal split rather than vertical. I will of course make sure it is very secure and plan on making a hinged lid of some sort so my gerbils can't jump over the top when I switch them or when it is closed. I know they are so clever and smart and so strong with their little snouts.. Oh rhianna-what do you mean specifically by saying it okay to interact with them? I was planning on Talking to them, putting my hand in for treats and to get the new one used to me, but just not taking them out of the cage (separately of course). I usually put my girl in a playpen once a week and let her out on the couch with me to run and tunnel under pillows/cardboard every day if she wants. I was planning on not doing this at all with either of them while the split is in progress since I want them to bond with each other and become comfortable with their bond. So what level of interaction is okay? I am the most unsure of this aspect of the split cage introduction. thanks for the input this is really helpful and I truly appreciate the great advice from the both of you!
|
|
|
Post by sparky on Mar 18, 2014 15:11:32 GMT -8
It's great that you will be getting Leela a new friend. There are two things I'd like to add. Whenever I bring a new pet into my house I keep it in quarantine in a different room in the house for 2 weeks just to make sure it is healthy. I do this even if it's with animals that I'm not going to introduce to each other - just to make sure I keep my existing pets safe.
Also will you be using 2 layers of mesh for the division? That's a good idea as gerbils can still hurt each other through one layer of mess if they want to. I've had a gerbil lose a couple of toes and another got a cut face when they were only separated by one layer. Two layers with a gap in between is good to start with but if they are getting on well you can remove one layer of mesh so they can make contact with each other.
|
|
|
Post by crittercrazy on Mar 18, 2014 20:05:25 GMT -8
Looks pretty good to me! Obviously I can't say for sure what Rhianna meant for interaction. . . but I'll just give my answer to that question. When my girls were in the split I gave them treats and let them climb on my hand etc. like I usually would, but no I didn't let them outside of the cage. However different people might, I don't know just to find out I researched it for awhile and couldn't find any advice as far as whether or not to let them out of the cage. My divider was made very similar to yours, I didn't use aquarium sealant or anything like that to secure it but it might be a good idea. And what sparky said is definitely a good idea if you can do it; personally I've never thought to do that, but it makes sense and I might in the future since I have had gerbil get sick and die a few days after I buy them. It easily could have been a contagious sickness and harmed my other gerbils. Well good luck and tell us if you have any more questions!
|
|
|
Post by streetwisegerbil on Mar 19, 2014 1:33:55 GMT -8
I do the quarantine part. You just never know. You can interact with them during this time although give them time to settle in in a nice quiet part of the house.
Also have a good pair of gloves on when you do the intro. And a wide cardboard tube is handy to separate any ball fight. You push it between the runners / fighters and either the chasee gets valuable escape time or you scoop one up in it.
Ball fights can be very frightening. And indescribably painful as the gerbil will just bite onto you and not let go ( hence the gloves) . He will think you are the other gerbil.
Otherwise, good luck. And yes, bonded gerbils are very cute and rewarding.
|
|
|
Post by sparky on Mar 19, 2014 3:05:29 GMT -8
When I had Sparky in a split with Sprocket I had to interact with her a lot. She hated the split and was constantly climbing her water bottle to get out. So I had to take her out for playtime as I was worried she was going to hurt herself. She just didn't settle in the split so I had to give up on the introduction after a few days and kept them in a permanent split tank which she was fine with since she had lots of deep bedding and toys. She was a very hyper gerbil though and had no patience at all
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 20, 2014 18:59:18 GMT -8
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 29, 2014 20:11:17 GMT -8
Okay I cleaned out my 20 gallon tank last night and installed my mesh split. After 4 hours a few scrapes and 10 sticks of glue it is complete. Leela was none too pleased with her temp 10 gallon. Today we drove 45 min to get to the animal shelter for a rescue only to have both of the single girls adopted. Saddened we went to a independent store and they had one little P.E.W girl all on her own. So happy we tried there they actually know their stuff. Fiona is approx 5 months old and super curious and very outgoing. I believe she got quite a bit of socializing. She is my beautiful little snow princess. So here are pics of my split, of their intro and of each of my girls. They are both checking each other out a lot and meet quite often in the middle. I will switch their sides before bed. Fiona Leela
|
|
|
Post by sparky on Mar 30, 2014 5:48:02 GMT -8
Looks like they are getting on well.
|
|
|
Post by GerbilUK on Mar 30, 2014 5:57:43 GMT -8
Yes that looks great. How long have they been in the split now ? Just a day ? If they are not showing any agression but happily sniffing each other from the start then I would hazard a bet that it will work. With my three intros I never saw any agression at all, even when I first put them in the split. Later when I put my males' cages a bit too close I realised what agression looked like - throwing themselves at the bars, biting, squeaking. Proper frightening !
You still need to leave it at least a week, pref two as they are adults, to be safe. Well done for taking this step and getting your girl a friend ! Its so worth it. cheers Wokette
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Mar 30, 2014 7:07:41 GMT -8
Woo hoo , thank you both for the encouragement and advice. I am hopeful, and so happy to hear that these are good signs. :-)
|
|
keldamouse
Member
rest in peace my dear lovely Leela youre in our hearts
Posts: 374
|
Post by keldamouse on Apr 1, 2014 15:17:42 GMT -8
So just a quick update. My girls are doing well in the split and are showing no signs of aggression and happily meet in the middle and sleep in each others nests. It has only been since the evening of March 26, 2014.
The issue is they are so bored! Anyway I never did really get an answer about outside playtime.
I mean Leela has even figured out how to climb the mesh vertically to try to get out (not to get to Fiona..at least I think). (Thank God I have the mesh firmly up to the screen and actually going horizontally also at the top. I also have the lid on with Velcro and books as weights just to be extra sure.) And she is scratching at the glass and looking right at me to want back out.
I took Leela out last night and she was crazy running around the couch. I have also kept each girl supplied with one cardboard chew-which they destroy in no time and I replenish once each night and morning, and a small wood chew. I don't know if I am doing this right. I don't want them to become so stir crazy but I do want them to focus on going to each other for comfort. Also I am keeping their bedding at 2-3 inches. I have added timothy hay twice and pile it in the middle and poke it thru the screen.
I have only had Fiona since Sat and I haven't done much socializing except trying to have her take treats from my hand. But this has been hindered since I have been switching the girls 3-4 times a day. Fiona runs into her tube and I pick this up to move her to the other side. Which means Fiona has leaned that my hand doesn't mean good things but does mean I will move her. Oh well I know it is only important for her to Bond with Leela right now. I can work on her/human relationship when the split is complete and the girls have a well established bond.
Anyway any advice? I guess I just worry a lot if I am doing this split right.
|
|
|
Post by GerbilUK on Apr 2, 2014 8:29:25 GMT -8
Hi
Sounds fine to me. Its good in a way that they are bored and that they dont have a lot of space. The idea is that they dont have anything else to do except make friends with the gerbil next door !
When are you planning to put them together ? Sounds like you could do it anytime from now really. Dont be afraid to delay it a few days if you are unsure or to wait until there is a convenient time for you to watch them for a few hours.
There is plenty of time to get to know the new one and tame her once you have them together. You might find that she is a lot bolder once she has a friend, my lone female would dash away if you even opened the cage, now she has a friend she is still pretty antisocial but doesn;t run off scared and will let my hand be in the cage no problems.
About playtime outside the cage, I have to say that I handled them a little while switching them but I didn;t let them play anywhere else. I suppose I was cautious that one didn;t come back smelling too 'strange' to the other one. Once they are together they can come out to play lots. I know it seems cruel that they are stuck in a little space with nothing to do but it will pay off in the long run for them.
Hope that helps
W
|
|