Aargh!

[squeaky]

I just went to move my 3 boys into their new aquarium and found some babies!!!!

These 'guys' came from the local animal shelter and I was assured several times that they were all male. They had around 100 gerbils needing rehomed so I agreed to take these three while I was in collecting a rat.
There were lots of babies there already cos they had had trouble sexing them but they promised me they were all male and not to worry.
A couple of days ago I did wonder, as one appeared to be eating more than the rest, but given I've only had them a few weeks they are still tricky to handle and I've never managed to have two out together to compare.
I should have trusted my instincts
I've no idea how many babies are in there or anything ...

[april]

Hahaha.... High five! Me too! Was shocked by an unexpected birth.

Got these 2 gals from a pet shop like a month ago. Been trying to introduce them since without succes. Then *tata* one gave birth! ?!!! She's been alone all the while!

Worst still, she gave birth while I was playing with her. So you can imagine how stunned I was!

Anyway, like you, I also had no idea how many there are. She's pretty jumpy whenever I change e food or water. Can only glimpse a bunch of moving pinkish stuff underneath her. Hmm... can only hope for the best now.

Hey you, good luck ok! ;D

[squeaky]

Well I have three babies and they look around 10 days old!!!
I've been keeping the gerbils in a large storage box hence why I hadn't seen them up until now.
I feel better about having moved them now, I was concerned about disturbing the nest, but they are moving around of their own volition., and look like they are about to open their eyes any day.
It would appear that my three boys are actually two girls and a boy and the babies look like two girls and a boy as well.
Dad is going to have to live alone until they are weaned, and I just pray that there are't second litters on the way, although I guess that is pretty likely

[squeaky]

Hi April, good luck with your brood! My mom/moms aren't too bad, I've been handling them all the while but only briefly as they were still settling in.
The babies are slippery little things though, very hard to keep hold off!
I feel so bad that the mothers haven't had the extra nutrition etc that they should have, but the babies all look pretty bright and healthy so fingers crossed there aren't more on the way.

[sweetie]

Hey Squeaky & April,

I also had the shelter give me wrong sexed gerbils. I like Squeaky asked several different people to sex them just to make sure. I had my suspicions as well. I ended up separating them before any thing happened and getting 2 more to pair them up. Then 2 more cause I found the most beautiful gerbils at the pet store.

I guess I had a better experience since I don't have any pups.
Squeaky, do you know how to sex gerbils? Did you tell the shelter what happened? If you do know how to sex, have you thought of helping the shelter out and sexing the gerbils and separating them? That is probably why they have 100 gerbils to place. Also they might have pregnant moms in there now. Maybe you could let them know about the forum so that they may get the "answers" they need to promote better environments which aids in thier goal of "REDUCING UNWANTED ANIMALS"
They are probably giving out wrong care instructiuons also like the one I got mine from. I emailed them and explained the situation and also volunteered my Knowledge and services.

BTW Squeaky, you haven't even had your gerbils for 28 days have you? She was probably pregnant before you got her in which case you might have all girls (slim but possible).
ALSO congrats on getting thier new house set up. I bet they love it.

[queenofthenile]

It's almost certain that you will have more babies on the way . Sorry for the bad news. I would remove the dad now, and when the babies are weaned, pair him up with the son.

I really hope the *other* gerbil isn't pregnant too . I've got my fingers crossed for you! In case you are having troubles sexing (it doesn't sound like you do, but just in case), here is a link to my site:
www.gerbilbreeding.com/sexing.htm

[squeaky]

They must have been pregnant before I brought them home.
I foolishly took the rescue worker's word on their sex figuring they must have learned to sex them by now given how much practice they had had
These three were born at the shelter and should be around two months old just (too young to be having babies!)
I'm positive I have two mums and one dad. Dad has been the easiest to handle and most inquisitive so I knew I had one boy.
I almost separated them yesterday, but it's fortunate I didn't because I may have missed the pups and they would have starved. I just spotted the bedding moving.
I've had lots of practice sexing baby rats and although gerbils aren't quite so 'obvious' once you have two to compare there is a distinct difference. Not sure I could sex gerbils at birth but I'm fairly confident it's one male and two females. At least dad will have a friend
I will be contacting the shelter first thing tomorrow to let them know and I'll offer to go along and check they are all separated correctly, I'm not sure they will accept; I offered my services before when they had a lot of rats needing handled before being homed and they were a bit odd about it. I suppose they don't get many people offering to help out.
The babies and mums look very happy in their new home, poor dad is all alone in the storage box wondering what's happened to his family though
I'll post some pics once my batteries have recharged.