Reintroducing two sisters

[frauleo]

Hi everyone!

I have two gerbils, they are sisters and both about 2 3/4 years old. Until recently they got on perfectly fine but 3 weeks ago they started fighting and biting. I separated them and since I went on holidays just a few days later they had to stay separated for about 2 1/2 weeks. After my return I build a split for their tank (90cm long) and now I'm changing side a couple of times per day. By now (day 3) they calm down within 5-10min of changing sides and sleep in the other gerbils nest. Which I'm happy about. Contacts at the split (made with chicken wire) are calm as well, one (who was always the dominant one) licks the other one's nose through the wire and is clearly searching contact. Which made me very hopeful.
Earlier this evening, I put them together into one half but after less than 5min they were just a ball of fur rolling around in the cage. I separated them immediately. Luckily, no bites this time. I learned my lesson and will leave them more time.

Now my actual question: Would you rather put one into the half of the other gerbil? If so, which one, the one who actively searches contact or the more served one? Or would you just take out the split so they have the whole tank?

This is my first introduction of female adult gerbils. I used to keep gerbils in my teens however, they were all male and I only ever had to introduce two youngsters to an older male whenever one was left alone. These introductions always went without problems.

Any ideas would be appreciated
Thanks
Andrea

[crittercrazy]

I would suggest removing the divider. If you put gerbil 1 in gerbil 2's side, gerbil 2 will feel like gerbil 1 is invading her territory.
Introducing females is a little harder, I've had several of them. So good luck!

[frauleo]

Thanks for your input! I does sound much more logic to do it that way but I had read something about putting the dominant one in the side of of the other to give the less dominant one a better chance. Clearly didn't work for me so I'll remove the divider next time.

They were quite nervous yesterday evening so I left them in their half over night. Only changes them this morning and they went back to destroying the other's nests. Back to square one it seems. At least they calmed down quite quickly so I'm still optimistic. I suspect I'll have to wait another 2 weeks before trying again as I'm moving house in 10 days and don't want to put them under too much stress.