|
|
Post by horselover on Apr 20, 2014 14:29:48 GMT -8
Hey all, I have a few questions so I thought I would combine them into one post. If you're able to answer any or all it would me much appreciated  How much food should I be feeding them? I've read so many different things. What I've been doing is basically making sure that they always have access to food so I add a spoonful at least once a day. Is this ok to keep doing? How often and how much hay do you give your gerbils? I like giving them some Timothy hay as they seem to really enjoy it, and I think it is helpful for adding to their bedding/tunnels. I've been trying hand taming. My problem comes from the fact that they do not seem all that interested in treats. they will crawl up to and over my hand, but are not really interested in any of the treats I've tried. Any ideas on reasons why? What else can I do to encourage taming? They are getting calmer when held, but they are still difficult to catch when I want to bring them out of the tank. Thanks! |
|
|
|
Post by catnut on Apr 20, 2014 14:45:01 GMT -8
I usually fill a small bowl, but a Tablespoon per gerbil per day with abit extra should do, then see how much they eat. I don't give hay due to allergies and I worry about mites. I try to get my gerbils to climb into a tin or container when I get the, so then they don't get afraid of hands. As for treats, sunnies usually work or whatever you find they really love that is safe for them. Just putting your hand in their home should help or if you have a bathtub, climb in with them and let them run all over you.
Have fun!
Tammy
|
|
jan
member
Posts: 12 
|
Post by jan on Apr 20, 2014 14:45:20 GMT -8
It's good that you're making sure they always have access to food. I find, though, that if I give my gerbils food every day, they will always pick out their favourites. I give them a scoop and wait until it runs out, or almost out so that they're getting all the nutrients that they need from their food. Having a bowl helps to gauge how much they're eating and what they're eating.
One of our gerbils isn't too keen on treats either, we have no idea why! What I did was instead of putting her food in the bowl, I would use my hand. That way she would associate my hand with good things and wouldn't be afraid of it.
I'm just wondering how you try to catch them from their tank. Do you lower your hands into the tank and scoop them up, or use one hand and grab from above?
|
|
|
|
Post by horselover on Apr 20, 2014 14:55:16 GMT -8
I'm just wondering how you try to catch them from their tank. Do you lower your hands into the tank and scoop them up, or use one hand and grab from above? I scoop them up. I read that it was less scary for them that way. |
|
jan
member
Posts: 12
|
Post by jan on Apr 20, 2014 15:09:27 GMT -8
That's good, just making sure! Taming is sometimes a lengthy process. Just keep doing what you're doing and they should get better and better around you! |
|
|
|
Post by Jazzable on Apr 20, 2014 15:33:38 GMT -8
Food: it depends on the type of food they have. If it's pellets (i.e. every piece is the same), then what you're doing is fine. If they have a muesli type of mix (more common: a mixture of different seeds and flakes and things), then it's best to make sure they've finished eating it before giving them any more. Otherwise they will pick out their favourite bits and their overall diet will end up being unbalanced. Do you scatter feed or use a bowl? If you scatter, you might find it helpful to use a bowl for a short time as a way to keep track of how quickly they get through it, then you can work out how much and how often to give them.
Hay: what you're doing is fine! Hay is great for helping them make burrows when it's mixed in with another substrate like shavings. Mine also really like it when I give them a handful on top (rather than mixed in) - they dive and 'swim' under it, and nibble it into little pieces.
I can't think of any reasons why they'd be uninterested in treats. Some gerbils just don't find food all that interesting. What treats have you tried offering them? You could also try putting something they like to play with (e.g. a toilet roll tube if they like chewing those) on your hand so that they have to stand on you to play with it.
|
|
|
|
Post by crittercrazy on Apr 20, 2014 15:53:41 GMT -8
Food- what Jazzable said basically. I have Tropical Carnival, so it has all sorts of things in it, and if I don't leave the food in there till it's gone they'll only eat their favorites. So I just fill up their bowl and refill it when it's empty. Hay- Every time I clean their cage I give my gerbil's a handful or two of Timothy hay, then if they seem to be running low I throw some more in there. Not very specific. . . . sorry. Treats- What treats are you offering them? Sunflower seeds? Pumpkin seeds or nuts? Have you tried less common things like oats, veggies, fruit, etc.? Also, are your gerbils pretty young? Mine have gotten more interested in treats as they get older. Two year old Peanut lives to eat sunflower seeds where as Minty and Pixel (around seven months) are just not starting to be as obsessed with them as she is. Good luck!!! |
|
|
|
Post by gerbillover9612 on Apr 20, 2014 16:03:03 GMT -8
I feed my Gerbils in the morning and evening to prevent selective feeding. But i only give them about 1teaspoon in the morning (maybe a little bit more) and if there's still some food left in their bowl in the evening, i add only like half a teaspoon.
With taming, i was told (by a gerbil carer and breeder) to put your hand in the tank for 10 minutes, twice a day and if they bite then actually do that about 3 or 4 times a day. and they when they are coming to your hand a such, slowly move your hand around (they may jump off but thats part of taming them) and after a while try scooping them up. Offer them a treat afterwards but if they dont take it (like mine dont, straight after ive handled them) come back like 5 mins later and hand feed them the treat and they should take. Thats just my knowledge of what ive been doing and what ive been told.
Also dont hand feed treats ALL the time as the Gerbils may think your hand is food and only come to your hand for a treat and not to be help or what ever ;D
sorry its long but hope it helps!xx
|
|
|
|
Post by rexcalibur on Apr 21, 2014 8:40:07 GMT -8
I have two gerbils, so I give about two teaspoons of food a day and a handful of hay. One of my gerbils is tame and climbs into my hand willingly. The other one never does and will only take the treat and run away. I use a food bowl but I'm thinking of just starting to scatter feed and only use the food bowl if I think they're underweight or have a concern.
The one that doesn't walk onto my hand, I usually put out a cup and wait for him to go in. Sometimes I just grab him but I know they don't like that so I've been avoiding doing that.
|
|
