Gerbils fought, one's injuried, Maybe over food?

[Sloan Kiechel]

So, I'm a first time Gerbil-owner, but I have owned other rodents (mainly hamsters.) Recently my gerbils have been fighting, but I always guessed it was play fighting. There has been no squeaking, "Balls of deaths" or anything horrible, it just seems like play. But the other day they fought. I didn't hear any squeaking but I did hear them run over their cage and hitting into the side of it. So I went to check and one of them (Mr.Nubs) had a cut on his back. It wasn't bleeding, but it was red as if it had been. I immediately separated them, and made sure the wound was closed, but I can't do much as Mr.nubs won't stay still. Right now They are seperated, but I realised that they may have been fighting over food. When I went to feed Mr.nubs (I put her in the other cage) She attacked the food as if she wasn't getting fed. I also noticied that Ed was commonly on the pile of where they put their food. Is there anyway I can put them back together (When I have them out together they act nice) and should I do anything else for Nubs?

They do have plenty of food, So it can't be them fighting over a food shortage, I was thinkign Ed was being greedy.

[fluffymunchkins]

I think you made the right desicion to seperate. It may be that Ed is the dominant one and isn't allowing Mr.nubs to eat as much food as she should. Is mr.nubs underweight?
If so then it might be benficial for her to be alone for a while to regain weight, then you can try reintroducing. Maybe when they are together, take her out occasionally for some time to eat alone

[Sloan]

Well she didn't look underweight which is why I was surprised. But she was definitely acting like she was starving when I put food in her cage. Do you think it's best if I try giving them 2 more days, then putting 2 food bowls on Separate sides of the cage and putting them together?

[amski]

You'll have to be careful about reintroducing, but if you do get them back together, then 2 bowls is probably a good idea. Alternatively, sprinkle the food over the substrate and it'll be more spread out so there's room for two; plus they'll enjoy foraging for it.

My boys definitely benefit from having their food spread out. When their food was in a small area, I saw the dominant ones booting the others away while they took their pick of the best bits (especially just after I've fed them). They all got their turn though, and there was always enough of everything to go around - some just had to be a bit patient.

[woolymammoth]

If you decide to re-introduce them don't put foodbowls in the split. They only act as territory that can be marked. As has been suggested, if its the foodbowl that seems to be the problem then just remove it! It's better for gerbils to be scatterfed anyway as it helps to enrich their environment and give them something to do by foraging for their meals