HELP! Introducing female gerbil to female pup?

[highflyer]

Hello,

I had two gerbils; Heather and Hazel. Unfortunately, Hazel passed, and Heather was alone. I knew it was unhealthy for them to live alone, so I bought Holly. After split caging for a long time I introduced them but had to separate them. I didn't give up, and after this process continued for awhile they eventually got along. After a long time of figuring out whether I should trust them or not, I saw them sleeping/grooming eachother and decided to leave them together. They did fine for a week, but I just so happened (luckily) to be in the room when Holly attacked Heather. The funny thing is that they were sleeping together, and Holly attacked Heather while she was asleep. Heather is friendly and I sensed that she did want the companionship of another gerbil. Heather, though, was a bit bigger than Holly and most likely could've beaten her in a serious fight, but Holly had the element of surprise and Heather was completely dumbfounded to wake up to a vicious attacker. I managed to separate them, although Heather had a few bleeding wounds on her face, shoulder, and neck area. I treated they wounds and they have healed nicely, but I have given up on them living happily together. Ever since, Holly has been aggressive towards her and Heather is very cautious if her. Holly has established that she is very territorial and will not get along with another gerbil, so I am not even considering getting her a new companion, as I don't want to end up with three lonely gerbils.


Is there anything that might have caused this fight?

All my gerbils are bought from a pet store. I am never buying rodents from a pet store again. Breeders, thanks!

As for Heather, I really think she has a chance with another gerbil. I got her in two Decembers ago when she was little and it is February now. I do not know her date of birth, but I am roughly guessing she is about 1 year and 1-3 months old. She is fully grown.


I have been wanting to introduce her to a female pup. I have heard rumors that this isn't safe. I have heard other rumors that it is. Is it? If it is, how old do you recommend the pup should be? If not, what kind of gerbil should I introduce to her?

Thank you for your time, I look forward to a reply.

[fuzzbutt]

Well it is true I believe that you can't introduce babies to adult females, that only works for males. I recently was looking into that as well due to a declan and that's what most people have found, it rarely does work.
The other problem with it will be that Holly will grow up and want to fight for dominance whereas Heather may not be getting involved in that which is probably what caused your fight.
To introduce female gerbils they have to be roughly the same age and the same size for it to have any chance of working but it is really difficult with not the best success rate, males seem to be easier.
Unfortunately now that blood has been drawn between the pair of them I wouldn't recommend risking either life and trying to introduce again also because of the age difference and even if they had a permanent split Holly may attack through the bars leading to a stressful time for Heather and Holly.
The best advice I can give you on a introduction for either is getting some of closer ages but it would probably have to be rescue and you'd have to know of the gerbils personality. If Heather seems quite submissive she could have a dominant or submissive female of the same age and they should get a long fine. I say should but it's not 100% likely.
Same goes for Holly, if she's the one causing fights she could be the dominant and a submissive friend for her could work out.

However if you do get them friends and it doesn't work out and they don't get along you can always permanently split a cage so they have each other there but they aren't quite together and this will stop them getting lonely.

I would probably do a lot more research on the situation, this is what I've found so far in the last couple days but I have no practical experience of this so far so I can't be positive.
I wish you the best of luck with then and I'll hope that someone a little more experience stops in by for you 

[crittercrazy]

That is actually not the case. Female introductions can be and often are just as easy as male intros, I've been introducing females for years, and have done adult to pup intros with them as well.

As Heather and Holly have declanned, re-introducing them is not a good idea, but introducing Heather to a pup should be just fine. If you can, 8-12 weeks old is best.
Also, if Holly does fine by herself, then it should be okay to just leave on her own. However, if she starts showing signs of loneliness, I wouldn't rule introducing her to a different gerbil out completely. Just because she doesn't get along with one gerbil doesn't mean she won't get along with another. But, I also understand if you don't have room for that many gerbils/etc. I have eleven as it is and they are quite the handful.

As far as what might have caused the fight- no way to tell really. Declans just happen sometimes, unfortunately.

Good luck!!