Advice on tank sizes and gerbil grouping

[becka]

Hi all on another thread I've spoken about an accidental litter that my rescue pair had.

Currently the are 5 weeks old. Mum has 2 babies in her bin with her. Dad has the remaining 6 babies with him until next week when I take the remaining 3 girls out. 

So what I'm wondering is can dad live permenantly with the 3 boys if I can get a big enough cage?

What size tank would 3 girls need? 

I'm thinking of converting a kallax IKEA unit to house most of the on separate levels. With each space being either 36 x 13 x 12 inches or 48 x 13 x 12

If I can make securely 

What are peoples recommendations in group sizes.

I may need to look into rehoming some of the babies

[betty]

I thought you said you had 2 girls and 4 boys in with dad in the other thread?

As for the males - I have had a dad and 3 sons on 2 different occasions and both were incredibly stable. One has since expired after all 3 sons died - I just had dad left surprisingly (who 4 next month), and the other 4 are still all together with the dad currently just turned 3. I haven't had 4 sons with dad yet, so not sure if that is too many or whether they will be just as stable in the right sized tank? Someone else might be able to comment.

If you do have 3 girls, they are less stable in general, but if they are 3 litter-mate siblings then you have a better chance of things working out. If you have 2 sisters, they should be perfect together.

[becka]

One of the girls confused me. I thought she was a boy at first as her spacing was longer than the other girls but she hasn't developed like the boys have now so think he is now a she.

[becka]

I'll try get a photo and upload it

[betty]

Yeah, defo put up a picture quickly if you can - best to check before you split anyone else up. How old exactly are they in days do you know?

And also, are you going to be keeping the girls yourself or are you homing them? There is a chance you could play swapsies if she is female and you are quick.