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Post by Fern on Jun 16, 2015 23:29:04 GMT -8
I've just popped by to say hello  ? I'm collecting two gerbils from the RSPCA in a few days - Gerald and Geraldine. They were both found at the same place outside but a day apart. Gerald has since been 'done' and they're both split caged at the moment. They'll be split when I bring them home, and I'll be continuing the bonding process that's already underway. I haven't kept gerbils before, just Syrian hamsters, dwarf hamsters, mice and Harvest Mice (sooooo tiny!). Thank goodness theres loads of information on this forum ... Any tips more than welcome! |
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Post by betty on Jun 17, 2015 9:22:02 GMT -8
There is plenty of info on here to keep you going - but one thing I might suggest would be to bring back some of their bedding - if not the whole cage/tank they have been split into.
Actually, do you mean they will still be in the split tank with the divide in the middle or they will be split together (with no divide). Either way, how long have they been in the split tank together so far - or how long have they already been happily together?
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Post by Fern on Jun 17, 2015 12:56:11 GMT -8
Thanks Betty, I hadn't thought about bringing some of their bedding home. I'll definately do that they'll be moving to my tank. The rescue centre has had them just over two weeks and has kept them seperated with a divider in the tank, swapping them over regularly so they get each others scent.
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Post by betty on Jun 17, 2015 23:38:08 GMT -8
Ah, so they haven't actually gone together yet.
Does this mean you are taking them still separated into a new tank you have with a divide in it, or are the shelter going to take out their divide for a few days before you take them home?
Taking them from their separate tanks at the shelter and putting them together for the first time in your new tank might not work out well. And you might need 2 separate travel carriers too.
I wonder if they are related anyway if they appeared at the same place so close together. This could help their bonding.
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Post by Fern on Jun 18, 2015 0:17:45 GMT -8
I have two carriers fortunately, and I'll be keeping them seperated and will continue the bonding process at my home. Unfortunately the rescue centre need the space for more rescues asap, so they haven't had time to complete the bonding process themselves. It would be great if they did get along. Time will tell ...  |
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Post by betty on Jun 18, 2015 0:50:40 GMT -8
Well keep us updated with their progress as it happens.
Good luck.
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 7:17:26 GMT -8
I've got them! They've not been home an hour yet but seem quite happy exploring their new home. They're still seperated, should I give them a day or two to settle or start swapping them straight away? I wish I could upload photos ... welcome home little ones |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 8:37:13 GMT -8
Slight change of plan ... I watched them for a while - admittedly not a huge stretch of time - but they so obviously wanted to be together, so I put Geraldine in with Gerald and they gave each other a good sniff like they were pleased to be together They stayed close to each other and explored, now they are both having a nap together in a log house .... I will keep a very close eye on them, but I thought also if they stayed apart they may form territories ...? This way they were introduced on neutral ground ... and the rescue centre had already done the hard work of keeping them seperate and swapping them regularly .... They may well have been tank mates before they were dumped! Fingers crossed it works!!! |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 10:38:03 GMT -8
No problems so far They look happy together |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 13:45:44 GMT -8
... its night-time and they've settled down together. It appears they were just ready to be together Still no idea how to post photos ...  |
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Post by t1gg3er on Jun 19, 2015 14:46:47 GMT -8
Congratulations on adopting them & such a smooth introduction! Maybe they have been together before... There's a sticky somewhere explaining how to post photos although that way doesn't work for me so I load them into photobucket & copy/paste the links onto the forum. Look forward too seeing your pics |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 21:55:10 GMT -8
Thanks T1gg3r They went through the night no probs, so I'll just be keeping them together then lol! |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 22:11:52 GMT -8
Gerald:  |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 22:29:36 GMT -8
Gerald:  |
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Post by Fern on Jun 19, 2015 22:34:26 GMT -8
Geraldine:  Geraldine has red eyes, Gerald I'm not entirely sure. At first I thought his eyes were black, but sometime they look very dark red .... |
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