pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 9, 2004 10:08:05 GMT -8
Well some of you might remember that i have just introduced 2 female gerbils molly and misty. Misty is only 7 or weeks old and i am starting to wonder if she a male! The people in the pet shop told me she was female but im not so sure. She has like this bulge just underneath her tail and today she was trying to climb on mollys back. I know this is sometimes natural for gerbils to do but i am still worried. My dad would kill me if they started breeding although personnally i would be secretly pleased . Please help i really need advice on this and quick! Thanx pixytwinkle
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Post by paws on Nov 9, 2004 10:36:15 GMT -8
You should split then again. If you have alot of pocket money, find out how much it will cost for nueterring, and tell your dad. It will be better if he knows. Does he-she have a yellowish line down the middle? If so she might be a male. Nuetering here is less expensive. DON'T spay your female! THis will cost you alot of money.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Nov 9, 2004 10:58:14 GMT -8
oh dear have you checked out sites such as www.gerbils.co.uk which have photos you can compare with some boys are late developers
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Post by andrea on Nov 9, 2004 11:05:00 GMT -8
Are you able to post pictures of the gerbils genital area so we can all have look for you?.
Females will mount each other when trying to decide whos boss. But if you are worried it maybe best to put a divide in the cage so they can still see each other. But not mate.
Andrea
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Post by gracie on Nov 9, 2004 11:08:34 GMT -8
yeah, i definetly think u should split them up for a while, at least until u know wheather or not she (or maybe he) is a male or not.
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 9, 2004 12:30:08 GMT -8
well thanx guys for ur help misty has been chasing molly a little not really aggressivly but she is sniffing her bottom area does this mean anything? does it usually mean that they are males when there is a lumpy thing. You can see it quite clearly when she is turned to the side! I will look at some websites and try gt some photos. thanx for ur help
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 9, 2004 12:48:52 GMT -8
when i bought her there was two gerbils both i seperate cages that looked the same both te same colour do you think they gave me the wrong one? Oh yeah and molly is quite old now do u think that if she does have babies that it will hurt her shes about 22 months old.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Nov 9, 2004 13:04:04 GMT -8
she is old to be having pups, especially first pups
If shes already pregnant I don't think there's anything you can do but please keep them seperate till your sure sot hat if she isn't she won't become so.
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 10, 2004 6:24:43 GMT -8
oh sorry about that last post shes not 22 months shes 22 weeks sorry about that. is this still too old? I will probably seperate them today but they really miss each other even if i take one out for a few minutes. Do you think its best just to let nature take it course? If she ever did have pups i know a freind that would have 2 of them so my dad may not be so mad. If they seem really depressed without each other should i put them back together?
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Post by andrea on Nov 10, 2004 6:30:25 GMT -8
maybe have a divide in the tank so they can still see each other so they won't be lonely but cannot mate. Have you taken any pictures yet. Its hard to tell you for definate the sexes without pictures.
Andrea
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Post by doomgerbiluk on Nov 10, 2004 7:09:36 GMT -8
22 weeks lol well 22 weeks is only 3 motnhs so no a pregnancy would be unliekly to harm her BUT My biggest litter was 9 gerbils!!!! My average would be 6! Your friend would have two..that leaves 4!! then they carry on and have more, each litter up to 9 pups!!! The numbers speak for themselves. So what you do now is speak to your dad and discuss your suspicions. Meanwhile you seperate the gerbils until you know one way or another. If you do have m and f then keep them apart and when the pups reach 5 weeks leave a female or 2 with mum and put 1 or 2 boys with dad. Rehome any others You then have two nice single sex colonies. But you must talk to your dad and sort the situation out.
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Post by queenofthenile on Nov 10, 2004 11:23:20 GMT -8
Just put a divider down the middle of the cage/tank for now. You really don't want to be having babies when you aren't prepared. Here are some pics of males/females. www.gerbilbreeding.com/sexing.htmCan you tell which sex your gerbil is?
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 10, 2004 12:48:14 GMT -8
i looked at the website and i think its definatly a male. If she does have any babies my dad wouldnt let me keep any of them and that means i would have 2 lonely gerbils I am going to seperate them tomorrow i havent had time yet. Misty has been chasing molly alot and keeps trying to climb on her and sniffing her molly runs away though. How much does it cost to have your male gerbil done? in the uk.
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Post by sweetie on Nov 10, 2004 17:54:12 GMT -8
Hey Pixy, Well, you are not alone!! Many members have been told they have same sexed gerbils and one turns out to be male the other female. My suggestions: 1) Definitely tell your Dad. Give him a chance. I bet he will be more understanding than you think. If you tell him the truth and that it was not your fault and that you feel bad. I bet Dad will be really supportive!! 2) You can put a divider in the cage and they will still have each other for company. It is not cruel by any means. They will still be able to nuzzle and sleep next to each other. If you are still unsure, think of what will or may happen if you don't. 3) Wait 20 days to see if you gerbil is pregnant. She will be showing if she is at this point. In the mean time, look to see if there are vets in your area that will nueter the male. There may be a listing in this forum under the vet section. 4) If she is pregnant, and you have not gotten the male nuetered, then once the babies are weaned (after 5 weeks) put the boys in with Dad and the girls in with Mom. You can then give away either the boys or the girls. That way, you don't need to keep only the Mom and Dad (unless Dad has been nuetered). 5) Read Queenies website and brush up on what you can so that when and if the babies come, you are prepared!! 6) Take a deep breath and exhale slowly 5 times . This will help you relax. 7) If the gerbil does have babies, then take lots of pictures (as long as you are not intrusive) and post them for us to see ;D.
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pixytwinkle
Member
Molly and Misty, my lovely gerbils.
Posts: 737
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Post by pixytwinkle on Nov 11, 2004 6:18:06 GMT -8
Do you think i can keep the male with the female and then once they have one litter of pups then tell my dad and have the male neutered? Cause ive heard that if the female has babies the dad sould remain with them . Is this true? I have spoke to my mum and she said i should wait and tell my dad once the first litter are born as i am pretty sure i have definate homes for 4 gerbils. Then when the babies are born have dad neutered. will this work? How long have got after the babies are born before she is pregnant again?
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