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Post by eleda on Apr 16, 2015 9:42:49 GMT -8
10 gallons per gerbil (or more) is what is typically recommended, so that'd be 2 20 gallons for 2 pair. (forgive me if you use the metric system!) you can try to get gently-used ones from someone to save a little money. they don't have to be water-tight like the ones in the store, so as long as you give it a good cleaning and it should be fine. but thats up to you =) also, pet stores occasionally have 10-dollars-per-gallon sales which can be a pretty good deal.
oh about changing bedding - most people will do partial bedding changes (remove 1/3 and replace with new, then stir) every so often. i'd say about 2 weeks or so. supplement this with spot-cleaning any particularly soiled spots. i do a complete bedding change and deep-clean (vacuum and scrub out the whole thing) every 3 months.
it may depend on the type of bedding you use though. I've only ever used aspen, so I don't know how often carefresh (for example) might need to be changed or if its different.
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Post by betty on Apr 16, 2015 10:04:53 GMT -8
The pot/tub does work when they are in a ball as I have used it myself. I know it sounds weird but by lowering the pot onto them it sort of breaks up the ball a bit - enough to enclose one of them.
The only alternative would be to grab a tail and lift one up - but of course that isn't good for the gerbil - and you still need to put it down somewhere secure as soon as possible after this (poor thing) - and so into the tub is also a plan.
Yes, a nice tank filled with a good few inches or more of bedding, tubes and cardboard is always a winner for the gerbs. Can't wait to see your new set up...
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Post by mcweedman on Apr 16, 2015 10:55:27 GMT -8
ok I will try that if this ever happens again. I am praying that it doesn't. Poor things, it was probably so traumatizing for them as I know it has bothered me alot. Again thank you all for your advice and your help.
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Post by betty on Apr 17, 2015 3:13:52 GMT -8
Yeah, sometimes a ball fight can really stress out a gerbil. Mind you all the bullying beforehand can be just as exhausting for them.
I'm sure now they are split they will soon start to calm down and relax a bit.
And hopefully you can too...
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Post by mcweedman on Apr 17, 2015 5:45:04 GMT -8
I keep checking on them just to make sure that Toothless doesn't turn on Obi. I haven't relaxed so much other than the fact that they seem to be healing pretty well. and that is a good thing. I finally saw Chuck eating this morning he hasn't started chewing on his cardboard or eaten any of his treat but he was eating his food. So that is a good sign. Should I change out Toothless' and Obi's treats?(since they were from before all this mess.) I didn't know if it would bother them having Chuck's scent on them.
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Post by betty on Apr 17, 2015 6:59:48 GMT -8
Not sure, probably the other way around - Chuck would be stressed by the smell of the victor!
As long as he is eating, that's fine for now. Give him time to come around...
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Post by mcweedman on Apr 18, 2015 17:30:28 GMT -8
we just got a new male to pair with Chuck. My husband thinks that if we put them in two separate cages but putting them right next to each other is the same as split caging them. I have tried to tell him that he is going to cause more harm then good. what is your alls opinion on this? Am I wrong in thinking that it isn't going to work and they need to be in the same cage?
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Post by betty on Apr 18, 2015 23:32:10 GMT -8
The important part of the Split is that they are using the same bedding and have scent marked the same places, as well as being able to smell and touch each other through the bars. Ideally these will also be small spaces, so they bump in to each other all the time.
Using 2 separate cages isn't the best way to do that unless the cages are tiny and don't have a lip on them that keeps the bars apart. It might still get the result you want if the 2 gerbils are uber accepting of each other, but it might take longer?
I thought I read on here somewhere that someone tried that before but I don't remember the result.
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Post by mcweedman on Apr 19, 2015 5:06:37 GMT -8
ok thanks. I keep telling him that it isn't going to work, but he isn't hearing me. we have switched them this morning so that they can smell the bedding that the other was in. they can see each other through the wire. I just hope that when we try to put them together there isn't a big fight. Thank you for the advice.
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Post by theia on Apr 19, 2015 5:28:13 GMT -8
If they are actual cages (i.e. not part tanks) and also big enough (with two openings, one per 'side') then maybe you could buy some mesh to split one up instead? This is what we've done with our cage, the mesh cost us £2.50 I think and then we just needed some decent wire cutters to cut it to the right size (the bottom bent to a 90degree angle to sit a couple inches on the bottom of the cage on one side. We kind of wedged to mesh into the botom of the cage as there is no way to tie/thread the sides of that bit to the 3 inch plastic base, but the mesh is also strong enough that the gerbils cant move/bend it anyway) and some wire to thread it to the bars of the cage. Ours has one door on the front of the cage left side and one on the top of the cage right side (which makes it kind of awkward to get the gerbil on that side out, but it's worth it for a proper split). Just make sure the mesh is cut cleanly (nothing they culd catch and injure themselves on).
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Post by mcweedman on Apr 22, 2015 13:45:40 GMT -8
When will I know that Chuck is ready for a mate or a buddy?
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Post by betty on Apr 22, 2015 23:59:02 GMT -8
Whenever he is back to full health with no obvious injuries, as these could affect the Split with another adult gerbil, not so important with pups.
Once you have found a gerbil that matches your criteria, you will want to keep it yourself for a few days alone to make sure it is healthy. You don't have to of course, but many people do to avoid any issues later.
Then pop them in the Split for the first time and gauge Chuck's reaction. If he attacks the bars with gusto and for a lot of the time, you may need a second wire divide for a while so they can't touch each other to avoid injury.
If he just sniffs a bit or seems to ignore the new gerbil, then you are off to a good start.
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Post by mcweedman on May 25, 2015 10:07:55 GMT -8
So we got a new gerbil (monkey) about a month ago and just kept him by himself in a cage until this weekend. We have decided to split cage Monkey with Chuck to try and see if they can get along. How long do you think that it would be before they would be ok? they are doing ok and just sniffing around every time we switch them. we haven't switched them today but we will. Everytime we switch them Chuck seems to just be curious and just sniffs but Monkey is alot more spastic. He seems to kick and scratch more than Chuck. They aren't attacking the wire, they do sniff it but it doesn't seem like they are trying to get at each other. I guess what I am trying to ask is when do I know that it is ok to put them together and if we will ever be able to?
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Post by crittercrazy on May 25, 2015 10:15:17 GMT -8
The "average" split length is two weeks. However, all of my splits have taken one week. For some gerbils it takes four weeks. So there is no guaranteed time. Just watch for 'good signs'. That would be friendly interaction at the divider, sleeping next to the divider, sleeping in the nest the other made when swapped, etc. If they're sniffing each other but not acting aggressive, may not be long before they're ready. How often are you switching them? I would suggest doing it three times a day. Good luck!!
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Post by mcweedman on May 25, 2015 11:12:51 GMT -8
Oh three times a day really? We were only doing it once a day. We just split caged them on Friday. so we have swapped them 3 or 4 times. and thanks!
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