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Jul 24, 2020 22:43:13 GMT -8
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Post by mercedes101 on Jul 24, 2020 22:43:13 GMT -8
Hi. I'm afraid I'm one of those people who bought 2 "male"gerbils that turned out to be a boy and a girl and now I have babies. I got my male neutered as I wanted to keep the pair together. Will have to do split cage though as they have to be kept separate for a few weeks to make sure no more babies. But my question is, the babies I have am I able to keep any in any combination (in the same tank as mum and dad, I have a to gallon tank). Is it possible to have either 2 or 3 females with a neutered male or if 1 of the male pups was neutered, 2 neutered males and 1 female or 2 neutered males and 2 females? Would any of these combinations work or is it best to just regime my pups and stick with mum and dad pair?
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Post by betty on Jul 25, 2020 9:37:22 GMT -8
You won't need to keep them split as AS SOON as the female gives birth - she mates and gets pregnant again. So if you didn't take the male out before she had the pups - she is most likely already pregnant again and will appreciate his help to bring up the pups. Family groups of gerbils are common in the 'wild' but don't always work out so well in our smaller unnatural enclosures - however it isn't impossible in the right set up. I have read about people keeping family clans successfully, although these reports are very few and far between. With a neutered male this is possible of course with daughters as he can't breed with them, but it is all about the mum anyway - whether she is the type of gerbil mom who lets the daughters stay when she is in heat and wants the male all to herself. I however, don't have enough experience with multi-sex multi generational groups - so perhaps someone like Shooting Star can chip in here with some actual examples? I am very intersted to see any examples given of people having actually tried this one - as I'm afraid general guessing isn't going to help anyone - unless you like to be at the forefront of research? What a great topic - thanks. I really would like to learn more about the dynamics of clans with neutered males as it seems to becoming more common in the UK at least.
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Jul 28, 2020 10:31:15 GMT -8
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Post by mercedes101 on Jul 28, 2020 10:31:15 GMT -8
Yeah I caught them in the act so was expecting the pups and split them to have the male neutered, so deffo won't be ant more pups. I have been letting the pair meet occasionally under supervision and they always seem excited to see each other. I may just have to try with the pups as you mentioned. Would love someone to say yeah doing it this way will work though. I sexed them today at 10 days old and have 2 boys which are light coloured like dad and 4 females orange coloured like mum 😊
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Jul 29, 2020 3:17:12 GMT -8
Post by Markpd on Jul 29, 2020 3:17:12 GMT -8
You typo'd in your op, how big is your tank?
Btw, where did you get your pair from?
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Jul 30, 2020 16:49:34 GMT -8
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Markpd likes this
Post by mercedes101 on Jul 30, 2020 16:49:34 GMT -8
Ooooops I have a 40 gallon tank. I got them from pets at home. I won't be going there again!!!!
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