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Post by musical912 on Feb 17, 2021 12:28:28 GMT -8
Hi! I’m going shopping for gerbil supplies probably today so I wanted someone to look over my list of things to get! If I’m missing something please let me know Cage (40 gallon breeder) Food (I already ordered the Sunseed sunsations and I plan to mix in sunflower seeds for fat; I can’t get a mix with nuts but this seemed to be the best mix available without nuts) Wheat and Oat sprays Bedding (All Living Things paper based) Orchard grass hay (Oxbow) 3-4 Accessories (wood or hay; something natural that can be chewed) Chew toys Sand (natural reptile sand) A wheel If I missed anything let me know
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Feb 17, 2021 12:42:23 GMT -8
That's a pretty complete list!
Sunseed Sunsations has 12% protein which is a bit low for young gerbils, so I'd suggest supplementing that with mealworms and/or pumpkin seeds. As these are both high in fat, you might not need to add the sunflower seeds. The mix already has sunflower seeds though.
I always like to give mine an underground house or nest box. I put it on the bottom of the tank and they incorporate it into their burrows. That's just personal preference though. They're quite capable of digging their own burrow chambers so a house is optional.
For accessories, I recommend cork logs, grapevines, bendy bridges etc.
You could also consider getting a raised platform where you can put the wheel, sand and water bottle/bowl. Things tend to get buried otherwise.
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Post by yeti218 on Feb 17, 2021 13:46:00 GMT -8
Water bottle. And water bottle holder or something if you're using a tank.
Good suggestion on the platform as well, although not all pet stores sell that kind of thing.
I put the gerbils wheel and sandbath on a platform so it doesnt get buried, and I put the water bottle on the side of the tank above the platform. I also use a small drip tray in case it leaks. A small dish or terracotta pot saucer work well for this.
Also, you've mentioned getting accessories, I'd recommend some kind of hide.
Oh, and better start saving all your empty toilet paper rolls now.
And I noticed you're getting sand, I guess that means you'll need a container for it as well. I got mine at the dollar store. Something with high sides so they cant kick sand out is ideal.
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Post by musical912 on Feb 17, 2021 13:55:16 GMT -8
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Feb 17, 2021 14:29:20 GMT -8
The Vitakraft website said 12%, but check the bag when you get it as the packaging should be up to date even if the website isn't.
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Post by musical912 on Feb 20, 2021 11:22:45 GMT -8
The food came in the mail and it is 15% protein. I will be adding 50 grams of sunflower seeds which will equal to 5.4% fat. Is that a good amount?
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Feb 20, 2021 11:56:02 GMT -8
Personally I would mix in at least a couple of different fatty seeds because Sunseed already contains sunflower seeds, so an extra 50g is quite a lot. Sunflower seeds are nutritious but each seed contains a different variety of micronutrients so variety is good. I worked out that adding 30g sunflower seeds, 30g flax seeds and 30g pumpkin seeds gives you 5.6% fat which should be ok.
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Post by musical912 on Feb 20, 2021 14:15:56 GMT -8
Ok, thank you very much for your help! I really appreciate it
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