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Post by FullThrottle on Aug 22, 2015 16:01:50 GMT -8
Has anyone introduced two pups/teens to an adult before? Would a normal split tank be okay, just with two on one side and one on the other? What are the signs that all three are comfortable with each other?
I have one 6/7 month old male gerbil. I'm wanting to get him a buddy, but am hesitant to only get one, just in case they don't get along- both would be lonely. So I was thinking about get two very young siblings and introduce them to Jerry. That way if they don't get along, at least the ones will have company. Does this make sense? And if they do get along, awesome! But is this really risky? Has anyone done this before? Any tips, tricks, or advice?
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Post by asher on Aug 22, 2015 16:53:01 GMT -8
With the split cage method, two pups and an adult usually go very well, especially with males. I dont think you will have any trouble!
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Post by blanknote on Aug 23, 2015 1:36:37 GMT -8
If you have the space for 3, then I think 2 pups is fine. I haven't tried split caging myself, but have read that 2 pups and one adult usually works (and is recommended especially if the older gerbils is already 2+), as the 2 pups are too young to really care about dominance, etc. You just need to make sure that the pups are not too old!
However, since Jerry is only 6/7 months old, you could also get just one pup, if you don't have the space for 3, as there wouldn't be that much of an age difference between them. Quite often young pups to an older gerbil introductions work fine, especially when they are male, so I'm sure Jerry would be accepting even of just one new comer.
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Post by betty on Aug 24, 2015 2:39:49 GMT -8
For the easiest splits - the pup or pups should be no more than 6 weeks, once they are older than 12 weeks it can take a bit longer if it even works.
I would only do one if it were my single gerbil, and he is still young and so more chance of him staying dominant for their full lives. It is possible that if 2 brothers mature in 6 months and get to confident - they might oust your original gerbil from their clan.
Males don't normally declan - but 3 will increase the risk just with numbers. Many have 3 or more males together, so it is just something to consider in your decision.
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Post by FullThrottle on Aug 25, 2015 19:25:12 GMT -8
Thank you for all of the information!  I found a lady that was wanting to get rid of her gerbil, so I got him. He's under a year, looks to be around the same age as mine, possibly a little older. He was in a tiny wire cage with a running wheel wayyy too small and the bedding smelled like it hadn't been changed for months ): so he's in "quarantine" right now haha but will hopefully e introducing them in a week or so! Another question: would it be okay to do the split in a 40 gallon tank? Or should I do it in my ten gallon? Also, if split in the ten, how long should I wait after taking the split out to put them in the bigger tank? Thank you so so much everyone! |
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PurpleSheep
Member
Bossed around by rodents & a toddler
Posts: 331
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Post by PurpleSheep on Aug 25, 2015 23:49:44 GMT -8
Well done on rescuing that gerbil!
The 10 gallon would be better for the split, that way they can't avoid each other and the introduction should hopefully be a lot quicker. I would leave them in the 10 gallon for about two weeks and start adding bedding after the first week to fill the tank up, that way you will have enough bedding with their smell to cover the floor of the 40 gallon when you move them.
Good luck with the introduction!
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Post by mosin9130 on Sept 20, 2015 4:40:57 GMT -8
I recently picked-up two more yesterday Harry and Sally there both about a month old. I tried to introduce them to Howy and Dazy in a split cage but Howy went berserk when he smelled Harry chewing on the wire mesh digging and kicking back the aspen then I tried putting them in a neutral zone 20 gallon tank and Howy ran after Harry, Harry started sqeeking and hopping so I removed him, and ever since I've separated them both Harry and Sally are in the bin and Howy and Dazy are in the 20 gallon.
I didn't think Howy could be so violent, I picked up Harry and Sally from a lady who has dozen's of hamsters gerbils rabbits ect. these two are really friendly Harry was the first to jump in my hand and Sally just walked right in so I brought them both home. I really wish they could all live together. Harry and Sally did have a particular smell to them something like chicken DODO I sniffed them both today and it seemed to be gone.
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Post by t1gg3er on Sept 20, 2015 6:19:05 GMT -8
You can't put any more gerbils with Howy & Dazy if you're breeding with them. And a month old sounds very young for the new pups to be taken from their mother.
If you now have 2 male/female pairs have you really thought about the implications? Once they all mature, if you allow each pair to have 2 litters you could be looking at up to 32 pups. If you keep one pup of the same gender with each mum/dad (to prevent them becoming breeding machines) you'd have up to 28 pups to find homes for. If they go in pairs that's 14 homes you need to have lined up. Can you really manage that?
Plus you need to think about potential health problems caused by in-breeding - presumably your pairs are siblings?
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Post by mosin9130 on Sept 20, 2015 8:27:41 GMT -8
Wow! t1gg3er you've got a strong point there I ignored to consider I got these other two on impulse there so cute. These other new two are about a month or older they drink from the water bottle and eat on there own, I wish I could post a photo so you could see.
I think I will deal each situation as it comes. I think I'll construct or buy a tank or bin as for room in my house well I live alone so, I have plenty of room for cages but you are right I think I need to hold on these four.
But I think you might be able to understand that there so cute Sally is all golden color with red eye's and Harry is a mix of spotted golden and white with red eye's and there so friendly.
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Post by blanknote on Sept 27, 2015 6:24:56 GMT -8
Wow! t1gg3er you've got a strong point there I ignored to consider I got these other two on impulse there so cute. These other new two are about a month or older they drink from the water bottle and eat on there own, I wish I could post a photo so you could see. I think I will deal each situation as it comes. I think I'll construct or buy a tank or bin as for room in my house well I live alone so, I have plenty of room for cages but you are right I think I need to hold on these four. But I think you might be able to understand that there so cute Sally is all golden color with red eye's and Harry is a mix of spotted golden and white with red eye's and there so friendly. Would you consider separating the new pair and getting a same sex friend for each? 2 female/male pairs does sound like you're going to have a lot of pups to deal with, so would be easier to separate them before they mate. |
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I found a lady that was wanting to get rid of her gerbil, so I got him. He's under a year, looks to be around the same age as mine, possibly a little older. He was in a tiny wire cage with a running wheel wayyy too small and the bedding smelled like it hadn't been changed for months ): so he's in "quarantine" right now haha but will hopefully e introducing them in a week or so! 
