Should we separate our gerbils and how do we do this?

[Gillian Baggaley]

Hello, we've had our 4 female gerbils for about 3 months. We've had few issues with their behaviour until now. Sometimes after the cage is cleaned out we've experienced a bit of mounting each other but over the last 2 days one of the gerbils has been aggressively chasing and knocking aside one of the others, to the point where we are worried they are going to get hurt. Honey (who is the one being chased) is constantly hiding from Boulder. The other 2 gerbils are supportive to both parties by nose rubbing etc. and we've witnessed them actively trying to keep Boulder away from Honey and trying to keep both happy. Usually they all sleep together too but we've noticed that Honey sometimes isn't allowed or doesn't want to be in the bed.





We're worried that this might mean that they are de-clanning, on the basis of what was said on one of the other posts, and that one of the gerbils might have to be removed; however, we would find that very distressing and are hoping that this won't be necessary as surely the lone gerbil would become very depressed. Is temporary removal an option? And which one would we have to remove? If we have to separate them permanently, is it better to separate them into pairs, putting the gerbil who wants to be dominant with the one who we think is bottom in the hierarchy? 




Any advice gratefully received!

[betty]

Hello Gillian.

If you have 4 gerbils - I would split into two pairs rather than remove just one? Pairs are much more stable as there are only me and you scenarios. when you have three more more gerbils - especially females - you can get dynamic changes where gerbils act differently based on group dynamics not their own character.

This sounds like the females are reaching their balance and this isn't possibly going to be a happy one in the existing foursome. Especially with females as they arrive at adult ages, clans can become very unstable (especially if they are unrelated). Especially at cleaning time on a full clean - best do part cleans only until you have sorted this out.

So yes, if you are splitting them into pairs you need to have the one doing the chasing in one pair and the worst beaten up one in the other pair. Often the two in the middle are confused as to who to side with, but if you notice a tendancy from one to the other then try to divde that way up too.

hope that helps for starters, but do keep us updated and ask all the questions you need...

[Gillian's husband]

Thank you Betty.

We split the girls into two pairs as you suggested. The pair which includes the formally agressive one seem to have settled in well. The second pair, which includes the one that was being picked upon, seem to taking a bit more time to sort themsleves out with quite  alot of mounting, but no signs of serious aggression.

We have only ever done part cleans, and now we only have half the number of animals in each cage we are hoping that we can reduce the amount to beding  we need to change to help minimise the disruption. 

[betty]

Yes, it is much easier with pairs - and if you can use a decent sand bath or create some kind of flat wood smooth (and easily removeable/reachable) shelf or ledge - you will find that they poop and pee in that one place more often - and so by spot cleaning that one place you can extend the life of the rest of the whole tank.

I have a small tea leaf seive that I use to help reuse the sand bath over until it goes too dark (after it gets weed on too much). Anyway, this can really help.

I also often only clean out half the tank at a time with sensitive pairs, so either literally half the tank while they are still in it - or I keep half the substrate in a container - clean the whole tank (there is always the chance of a sticky corner in there!!!) - then replace that half used on top of a decent layer of fresh.