Split cage questions

[rachy8907]

Hi, I'm currently introducing two gerbils via the split tank method and I have a few questions

1) How long after they're living together without the divider can I introduce new toys/accessories?
2) When I'm moving them into their new home together, can I use fresh bedding or do I have to use 100% only the bedding that's with them right now?
3) I'm worried that they'll fight while I'm not home one day out of the blue, what are the chances of them doing that? One is 6 months and the other is 6 weeks.

Thanks!

[leafwhisper-age-12]

are they male or female? they are more likely to fight if female. You can change some of the bedding if you need to. gerbil cages can start to smell a lot if not changed at all. The other questions? I don't know.

[kim]

I would leave it a day or two before introducing toys.
Try to keep as much of the old bedding as possible but you can use a small amount of new bedding mixed it.
Its best to take out the split cage early on a day when you can keep an eye on them for the rest of the day, after this time they are most likely to be fine if they have been good together and slept curled up together. There will still be a small chance of a fight but not a high one.

[betty]

I'm no expert and I am rather cautious but:

1) I don't tend to add new toys or houses for several weeks after they go together - and I only ever put in things that are brand new and have never been used by other gerbils before. I don't want to risk a new smell. And I only ever one thing at a time.

2) I always use 100% the same bedding when I move mine into a new tank to reduce any chance of confusion by the gerbils as to who lives there (especially if it is a tank that has previously been used by the opposite sex). After a few days, I swap some bedding, then gradually swap more and more until they are back on a normal routine. If the tank is much bigger - I start to add bedding to their existing split tank beforehand so everything is all scented-up before the move.

3) Once they have been sleeping together for several weeks, they have no more chance of fighting than any other pair of gerbils. Every time you add new stuff or change their bedding just make sure you are about for about half an hour or so afterwards to see how they react to it. Watch out for siding up and chasing as you would with any pair or clan of gerbils. Family members can end up fighting as well as split couples.

I just go by taking things slowly. At the moment I have quite a messy tank with a recent split pair, and I am only changing a few handfuls of bedding every week - but I won't rush cleaning it all out. I would rather have a bit of a messy tank for another week or so than have to start all over again with a split. In my mind - small tank and mess for 1 month = the rest of their lives in happiness and less worry for me.

Good Luck.

[crittercrazy]

1) I've always only waited a couple of days, and even used toys that previously belonged to other gerbils. (I washed them though) But there's no harm in being extra cautious.

2) When I've done splits I did use fresh bedding, but mixed in some of their old bedding so it would still smell like them.

3) If they have lived together for, say, 2-3 days without any problems in their new home, I'd say its safe to assume that they're fast friends and you don't need to worry about fighting.

Good luck!