Pim
Member
Posts: 346 
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Post by Pim on Aug 23, 2018 18:35:00 GMT -8
Hello I’m trying to determine the age of some gerbils that I found at a local pet store that buys from breeders but none of the employees seem to know how old they are. Two things would be helpful.
1) if I could see pictures of gerbils at 4,5,6 and 7 weeks
2) at what age are pet stores aloud to sell gerbils
It would also help if this could be before this weekend (Saturday) starts
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tuftsnfluff
Member
AGS Ethical Breeder in DFW, TX
Posts: 589
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Post by tuftsnfluff on Aug 24, 2018 6:04:10 GMT -8
Heyla..
These are pups about TWO WEEKS old.. 
These are pups at THREE WEEKS old - They start to open their eyes around 17-19 days, so till too young to leave mother.. 
I do not have pictures of 5, 6, and 7 weeks old, perhaps someone else can provide those.
As to when a store should be selling them.. Gerbils should NOT leave their mother till least 6 WEEKS of age (42 days) and that only depends if they are weaned and able to drink from the water bottle. Technically a gerbil is considered ADULT at about 12 to 13 weeks of age. Because that's about the time they can mate and females can produce litters. ALWAYS separate males from females in litters a week before this age, so there's no risk of unexpected litters from inbreeding.
Based on that information, I'd say that pet stores can legitimately sell gerbils at 7 to 8 weeks of age... but I don't know each states laws regarding that. They are self sufficient then... but not technically adults till around 12 weeks.
Hope this helped!
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Post by flora7suzy4ever on Aug 24, 2018 6:21:15 GMT -8
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