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Post by gracieboo on Nov 22, 2020 7:58:05 GMT -8
I posted last month about strange chasing and mounting behaviour between our 6 month old male gerbils. It didn’t happen again, so assumed it was the fact they were reasserting dominance. The result this morning is 6 pink babies! I’m now panicking because I took them out ( before I saw said babies) to play, noticed Tom was all of a sudden a slimmer version of his (now her) former self. Checked the nest and babies. I put mum back straight away but I hope she isn’t now too stressed to take care of the pups. Dads still in the bath, soon to be rehomed in a new tank. What happens now? Poor dads on his own, and I’m worried about mum. I’ve read the post about plenty of food, water and quiet. What else can I do??
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Post by betty on Nov 22, 2020 8:15:25 GMT -8
Eek! gracieboo, put dad straight back in the tank. |
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Post by betty on Nov 22, 2020 8:18:47 GMT -8
Dad helps raise the pups - so he needs to be back in there!
And if she has had pups - she is already pregnant again - so it makes no difference where the dad is now - except WITH her he can help and put her at ease. Suddenly losing her partner is some thing extra she needs to worry about - and raising pups alone isn't assumed to be an easy task for gerbils.
As you said - pop dad back in - drop in some more food and loose nesting material - and leave them somewhere quiet to get reaquainted and set to work looking after those little pups!
Congratulations?
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 22, 2020 8:56:08 GMT -8
Thanks Betty! Just put him straight back, I’m worried now I’ve endangered the pups. Will they be ok? Another litter! What on earth am I going to do with all those beautiful babies??
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 22, 2020 8:59:13 GMT -8
Also, when should dad be removed? I
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Post by betty on Nov 22, 2020 9:28:48 GMT -8
Ha ha - baby gerbils are awesome - don't worry. Gerbils make great parents.
Don't worry about any of that for now - let's see what happens over the next week.
The second litter is usually delayed anyway (due to the lactation process) so the dad can stay in that whole time with her. By that time the pups will be out and about with their eyes open.
Once their eyes open - then you can take dad out and put him in his own tank and start sexing the pups for sure. Once sexed and over 4 weeks old (and where you have seen them eating food and drinking water on their own (you might want to put in a shallow sided bowl for this as not all babies can push the double ball-bearings in the bottles up with their tongues)) you can put all the male pups in with the dad.
Also, put in with dad any pairs of female pups you already have a home for - BUT - leaving at least one female and any you want to keep in with mum to help raise the next litter.
Simples.
Edit:
Dpending on how many they have - you may not need to home too many if you didn't want to?
You need to keep at least one male pup from either litter with dad - although you can keep dad with as many male pups as you want depending on tank size - as they should form a nice stable clan. You can usually just add the male pups from the second litter in with dad and the first litter males after they are 4 weeks+ too. However, you will need to make sure any pairs of female pups are taken out from dad before they are 8 weeks old ideally into their new home (or at least into a new tank at your home).
Also, you need at least one female to stay permanently with mum from either litter - some people keep 2 daughters but this is usually only when the rest of the females can't be sold as pairs (pairs in females are much more stable - but the mum in a trio helps keep it stable). Leave all the daughters from the second litter you are homing elsewhere in with the mum until they are homed - or they reach 10 weeks - then you should split them off into pairs at yours so they can form their own heirachy and not annoy mum too much. If mum looks annoyed with pups before then - take these pairs out sooner.
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 22, 2020 9:51:39 GMT -8
Right, thank you so much. Thats put my mind at ease, still reeling but happy mums not on her own. Will start working on my sisters about the joys of gerbils, so I can get homes lined up!
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Post by betty on Nov 22, 2020 9:59:40 GMT -8
Yes Ha Ha - try all your relatives - they are a great first go to!
Send out LOTS of baby pictures!!!!
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 22, 2020 11:23:25 GMT -8
Fred’s chasing Tom again. Should I just leave them?
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 23, 2020 6:46:32 GMT -8
Sorry to be a pest. The chasing has stopped (phew!). Couple of things, I think they’ve moved the babies and buried them, I know I just leave them to it for a week but the substrate in one half of the tank is quite deep and that’s where they are, will they be ok in there? I’ll send a pick of tank set up and if you Betty or someone else can tell me if it’s safe.
Thank you!
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Post by betty on Nov 23, 2020 9:00:39 GMT -8
No worries - always ask anything as often as you want.
As for moving them - unfortunately - new-born gerbil babies are almost impossible to hand rear - so you really have to leave it to the mum and dad on this unless you spot anything really out of place that you could move around a bit.
If they are in a spot where there is a bit of head height for them and it isn't getting sweaty, then it may well be just fine. Some mums do keep them very well hidden - others aren't so bothered.
Do you know the temperature of the room where their enclosure is (not just somewhere in the room).
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Post by Markpd on Nov 23, 2020 9:06:05 GMT -8
Maybe advertise the babies on FB? (if you use it). Btw, what country are you in? Afraid I don't know the answer to your question, I'd GUESS that they've taken them to a new, deeper, 'safer' nest, but take that comment with a bucket of salt as I'm new to this!  . Betty or other more experienced people will be able to give you a more solid answer. [edit] Which she just has, lol  What are you going to call Tom now? Or leave it as Tom for tom boy? I'm interested to see how this all pans out  . Where did you buy them from btw? |
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 23, 2020 11:19:59 GMT -8
Thank you again. I wasn’t planning on moving them, but just a bit worried they were completely buried! I’m in Liverpool, UK. The plan is as Betty suggested to seperate Fred and the boys, when they are weaned. I looked into getting him sterilised, but there are risks and it’s quite pricey. I’ve been in contact with a lady in RSPCA and she’s had a lot of enquiries about adoption. Don’t feel comfortable selling them as I’m not a breeder and can’t offer any guarantees (even though I was assured they were boys!) My daughter has remained Tom, Mamma Tom Tom. Tomasina is his/her official title 😁
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Post by gracieboo on Nov 23, 2020 11:22:46 GMT -8
Bought them from a breeder/ pet shop near Manchester and can’t find their details!
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Post by Markpd on Nov 23, 2020 11:36:05 GMT -8
Lol ,Tomasina, good one I'm surprised a breeder made that error! Oops! |
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. Betty or other more experienced people will be able to give you a more solid answer. [edit] Which she just has, lol 
.