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Post by gerbilsbath on Sept 13, 2020 0:15:50 GMT -8
Hi,
Sadly the dominant male in our clan of 4 males attacked one of the other gerbils in the middle of night so we separated them by taking the victim out (there was blood on his tail and rump). I've done some reading this morning and I'm not clear whether I should have removed the victim or the perpetrator.
Feeling really sad for the victim as they are only 8 months and he'll have a long time living on his own now. The forum posts I've read seem really clear - if they draw blood, you can't really reintroduce them when you have more than two gerbils...
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Was wondering if a cage clean would help - I've not done it when I usually would and it is definitely overdue - could I try to reintroduce him after one? And watch very closely?
Thanks!
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Pim
Member
Posts: 346
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Post by Pim on Sept 13, 2020 12:35:56 GMT -8
If they all ganged up on him there is no hope for re-introduction. but if it was only the dominate one maybe re-intro one of the other gerbs. I don't have much experience with big groups so I am going to let some more experienced people jump in.
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Post by gerbilsbath on Sept 14, 2020 5:37:31 GMT -8
Thanks so much for responding. It was just the dominant male. Wondering if I should split the clan and try him with one other, through split cage, but worried that I'd end up with four unhappy gerbils, rather than one. So tricky! Thanks
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Post by yeti218 on Sept 14, 2020 7:41:07 GMT -8
Sorry to hear about your troubles. I don’t have any advice to offer (new to gerbils), but I’d be interested to hear what you decide and how it goes. Keep us posted. Good luck.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 14, 2020 14:01:02 GMT -8
No real experience here either, but why are you worried you'd end up with 4 unhappy Gerbils? Perhaps put the separated one with the friendliest of the other 2? (after at least a short split cage intro), and the dominant one should still be ok with the remaining one? No troubles between the others right?
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Pim
Member
Posts: 346
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Post by Pim on Sept 14, 2020 14:58:51 GMT -8
Yeah what I would recommend is taking one gerbil from the current trio to into to the one who was attacked. then you have two pairs.
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Post by betty on Sept 16, 2020 2:28:32 GMT -8
gerbilsbath - what did you decide? How are they all now?
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Post by Markpd on Sept 16, 2020 11:25:44 GMT -8
Was going to tag you betty, no need now . Perhaps LilyandDaisy and catnut would like to too though?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Sept 16, 2020 11:35:58 GMT -8
No real experience here either, but why are you worried you'd end up with 4 unhappy Gerbils? Perhaps put the separated one with the friendliest of the other 2? (after at least a short split cage intro), and the dominant one should still be ok with the remaining one? No troubles between the others right? I expect gerbilsbath was concerned that removing one gerbil from the group of 3 might lead the whole group to declan, resulting in four lone gerbils. It's the logical thing to do if getting another gerbil isn't an option but it is a risk.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 16, 2020 11:41:21 GMT -8
That's a possibility is it? (one's already removed btw, the victim). So if 1 of the the 3 were removed to pair up with the current loner, that could cause the remaining 2 to declan? Interesting, not come across that before, how likely is that btw?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Sept 16, 2020 11:46:37 GMT -8
Yes, gerbil clans have a hierarchy of the most dominant going down to the most submissive, and removing any part of the hierarchy can sometimes cause problems. I don't know how likely it is to happen as it's not something I've ever had to do.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 16, 2020 13:36:24 GMT -8
If one was removed from the trio, and the intro didn't go well with the loner (or the remaining 2 started to de-stabilise), would it be likely easy enough to re-intro that 3rd Gerbil back to the pair to make it a trio again or not?
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Post by betty on Sept 17, 2020 3:18:41 GMT -8
Yes - when it is a trio - I always take out the 'victim' leaving the victor and his unchallenging minion where they have fought for. Also, it will be far easier I think to split intro a loser once they have healed than a usurper (clearly the 'new' boss has got something to prove).
However, with a foursome - you never know where loyalties lie - so choosing a bystander gerbil for each of the fighters is more difficult. Sometimes you have watched them and have seen their behaviours - but other times (especially if they are the same colour) it will be a guess.
So as with this set up now (if it is still a 3 and a 1) you are great. The new boss has taken over the other two bystanders, and the one they wanted ousted is out. This could well be the best way for the gerbils.
Like you said though, if the trio kick off again, then you can take out the fighter from the trio that wasn't the original winner and split them with the original loser. It will be 50/50 but your only available first option.
Declans are never easy - or predictable.
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Post by Markpd on Sept 17, 2020 10:30:38 GMT -8
Although they're only 8mths old, so the loner will need pairing at some point, right?
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Post by betty on Sept 18, 2020 2:43:28 GMT -8
Yes, we always recommend an introduction at some point after a declan - but it doesn't need to be rushed if there is a chance of a further declan from the same group.
Gerbils can be just fine entertained on their own for a while if that is what suits the situation.
Under a year is often typical for a male group declan. It is around this age that they are all becoming mature adults and unless brought from a breeder who said otherwise are most likely from different litters and slightly different ages.
The single one - if split to another older gerbil at some point will probably be just fine.
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