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Post by blackace on Sept 28, 2014 14:19:53 GMT -8
Hi about 15min ago I just started to split cage my 2 female gerbils. So I decided to create this thread just in case in the future I may want to ask any questions. Also if anyone who reads this has any advice for split-caging please feel free to post, it would be much appreciated. Thank you very much.
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Post by johanne on Sept 28, 2014 21:31:20 GMT -8
If you give us the details of your setup and what you're doing, we'll be able to be more helpful  |
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Post by blackace on Sept 29, 2014 12:05:53 GMT -8
Ok well I am using a 10 gallon tank and I split the tank vertically through the middle. The barrier between the too is made of a thick hardwood with the mesh in between. I have a water bottle on both sides in opposite corners and I gave the two a wood chew stick. I am also spread feeding them. Since I just got home I have now switched them for the first time. Minnie is the black one and she immediately destroyed Peaches'(The argente cream) nest. On the other hand Peaches calmly sniffed Minnie's previous side and sat quietly. Here is a picture of the two sniffing after the switch.  Here is the divider form another angle.  Also the two have been accidentally introduced before, here is the link to my thread about the situation. gerbilforum.proboards.com/thread/29670/accidental-introduction |
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Post by blackace on Sept 29, 2014 12:08:52 GMT -8
I forgot to add that last night before I went to bed I saw Peaches sleeping next to the divider on the right hand side, and Minnie slept under the blue water bottle. Don't if this may mean something. Another thing is that Peaches is usually the easily frightened one but she acted rather calmly after the switch and she slept next to divider.
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Post by crittercrazy on Sept 29, 2014 13:46:42 GMT -8
Looks good! My only suggestion is to move the water bottles next to the divider- since gerbils often sleep under their bottles it encourages them to spend time near the divider. (and therefore near each other.) Other than that, I might as well add that some say its better to only have an inch or two of bedding, but I personally don't have an opinion on that, just thought I'd mention it. As far as their behavior- sleeping next to the divider is a good sign, as is sleeping in each other's nests when you switch them. Interaction at the split is good as long as there's no signs of fear and/or aggression. Hope all goes well! |
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Post by blackace on Sept 29, 2014 15:45:48 GMT -8
I can't really move the water bottles closer because the velcro sticks are already set in those corners. Also when they meet each others saliva they just taste each others' saliva and sniff around and then move on. I also just switched them again.
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Post by crittercrazy on Sept 29, 2014 16:54:34 GMT -8
Ah, gotchya. That's okay- the last split I did the water bottles weren't next to the divider because my rascal Pepper kept climbing on top of it and chewing the lid. That's good that they are calm when they interact at the divider! How many times are you switching them a day? |
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Post by blackace on Sept 29, 2014 17:45:05 GMT -8
I switch them every 3 hours 3 times a day because I have school.
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Post by johanne on Sept 29, 2014 22:44:40 GMT -8
Looks like they're doing great and you have a very nice setup. Hope it continues to go well |
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Post by blackace on Sept 30, 2014 15:03:58 GMT -8
Thanks hopefully this won't take long, I really want to see them get along soon
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Post by blackace on Sept 30, 2014 15:50:16 GMT -8
Well from my perspective after an hour after I switched the two Minnie was sleeping in the same corner and nest the Peaches made.
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Post by gerbillover9612 on Oct 1, 2014 8:39:02 GMT -8
Arh looks like its going well so far. Good luck XD xx
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Post by blackace on Oct 5, 2014 8:35:23 GMT -8
So its been a week and everytime i have switched the two ive noticed they sleep in the same spot the other has slept in. But I have had to completely replace the betting on the side with the green bottle because the bottle is uneccisarily long to the point that when the gerbils place betting near it it starts leak water and while i am asleep the water is drained and the bedding is all soaked. I have now decided to go to the store and buy a shorter water bottle like the blue one on the other side. I have also took crittercrazy's advice and moved the bottles closer to the divider by placing them adjacently to it. Hopefully this works and hopefully them sleeping in each others bed is a good sign. Also I noticed when they meet at the divider they sniff each other for a second and them walk away. They also do that after I switch them, and when one is climbing the divider the other climbs to and sniffs. I will try to get pictures after I get the new bottle today to show you the kind of new set up. Thanks
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Post by blackace on Oct 6, 2014 8:11:05 GMT -8
Here is the new setup:  Also I don't know if this is a good sign or not but I have noticed everytime I switch the two they sleep in each others nest but beforehand they dig around in it. For example Minnie likes to ram her head repeatedly into Peaches nest each time and Peaches burrows around it but eventually sleeps in it. |
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Post by blackace on Oct 9, 2014 21:06:14 GMT -8
So its almost the 2 week mark and the two have not shown any improvement. They have only sniffed it each when they both are next to the divider, and they sleep in each others nest. However Minnie likes to ram her head repeatedly into peaches' previous nest. I would like to know if there is anything I can do to speed up the process or help encourage the two to stay closer to the divider as much as possible in hopes of them bonding. Thanks.
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