Help with split cage - Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, UK

[ella32]

Hi there,

I had two male gerbils, Francis and Rocket, around a year old. Unfortunately Francis has unexpectedly passed away. After a short time (ensuring Rocket maintains good health) I would like to introduce a new male pup (or two) to Rocket, but I’m not certain of how well I can make a split cage. Has. Anyone got any tips, or possibly any in the area that I might be able to buy/borrow?

The cage I have currently is the Pets At Home gerbilarium. Due to the layers I don’t think I would be able to split this cage very well. I’ve posted a pic below:

media.petsathome.com/wcsstore/pah-cas01//300/14991PL.jpg?_ga=2.11746932.1901740342.1537385109-1723168117.1506584689

Any help will be greatly appreciated! Poor Rocket seems lonely and scared and I hate that he might be lonely for three years

[betty]

Sorry we missed this post ella32 - it wasn't in the usual place is all.

But, anyway, welcome to the forum - and sorry to hear about Francis - but we can certainly help with your enquiry.

Split tanks are easy to fashion out of a small aquarium and a piece of framed wire; but if you can find a breeder to get your new pup/pups from, if they are young enough and the breeder does the intro - you may well not need a split tank set up anyway. Very young pups + a very experienced breeder = safer and quicker intro. However splitting together slightly older gerbils from a pet store would need the full introduction process.

Personally I would stick with one pup as a friend as this pair may well last longer as a clan than a trio. Many people do the two pups when their single gerbil is really old already, but your little man is only a year old, so a single may well be the better option for you.

You are right that your gerbilarium wouldn't make a good split tank, but depending on how you acquire your new pups, you may not seend one anyway. Take a look at this link making a split tank for an idea of how to do it.