Serious fighting - help needed

[Georgie]

Hi, I'm really hoping someone can help me.


We have 3 male gerbils, they are just over 2 years old and they have been kept in a gerbilarium, with plenty of space.

In February Frankie (brown) started mounting Speedy (slight Siamese markings).  It went on and on and bordered on bullying behaviour.  It lessened so we put it down to spring in the air. He never bothered Jerry (white). 

We did our usual clean out (Saturday). We sat and watched them checking everything out, digging, sorting, general housekeeping. Always a joy.   Then, out of the blue, yesterday afternoon (Sunday) Frankie would not leave Jerry alone.  He went behind him, clamped down onto his bottom and wouldn't let go.  I watched this for some while while researching on the Internet.  Jerry was getting distressed, the fighting was getting worse and more violent.  Then I saw blood.  The article I read said to separate the bully. I did this then Speedy turned on Jerry.  I put Frankie back and pulled Jerry out. He's now in a make shift cage and I don't know what to do next.

Will they be able to be back together? Is Jerry resigned to life alone? How do I console their 9 year old owner?!

Hoping you can give me some advice.

Many thanks.

[betty]

You always need to take out the victim of a trio in my experience as the bully will always be the dominant one (and probably won't readily accept a new friend in later life) - whereas leaving the victim in with a not-yet-dominant-one, will usually start another fight for doninence between the 2 remaining gerbils - as with yours - but one of which is already weakened.

Sometimes the trio will go back together after a generous split session, careful observation, and no full cleanouts. But when there is a serious blood-drawing incident involved and 'stressed' behaviour, it's usually not going to last long before another fight even if you DO get them back together.

In these circumstances, I choose to keep the 'victim' alone for a month or 2 (to get over the whole experience) and then try a split with a much older gerbil - the path of least resistance! If your Jerry wasn't respected by your last lot - he probably won't be top with another similar gerbil, so give him a chance to start equal or more dominant than the new one. If you split to a younger pup - that pup might try to 'take over' when it gets older, but not always...

As for your cover story, how about, they disagreed about whether Chelsea were better than Arsenal, and Chelsea won! So you need to find a new 'gunner' friend for Jerry...

[Georgie]

I like the cover story! Might have to swap to rugby teams for the distressed 9 year old! Looks like I'm going to have to try and find another cage though as he can't live in a toy box with no view for 2 months! Poor little mite. Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.

[betty]

Good luck with the little chap....