How do I stop my gerbil from chewing his cage?

[Tebby]

I recently moved my gerbil, Obsidian, into my old hamster's cage. He was fine for a while but I noticed he started chewing on a wooden beam at the bottom of the cage. Does anyone know of a way to stop him from doing so? I've blocked off the section he's been chewing with wooden houses but I'm not sure if there is a better solution. Right now he's in there temporarily (he got his girl knocked up) while I wait for the pups to grow, then I'm going to reintroduce him to his baby mama. 

[yeti218]

Once gerbils decide they really want to chew something, they're hard to deter.

You could try giving him other things to chew to see if he prefers those, or cover it up somehow, either with something that he cant chew (like tile?), or something like cardboard, or a gerbil safe piece of sacrificial wood, and have him chew that instead of the wooden bar.

Some of these might be more trouble than they're worth if its a temporary problem and your wooden house barrier is working.

[tanzanyte]

We've done as Yeti has described. Cardboard is ok, although you have to replace it often. We have used wood on occasions which is much better.

What I was going to say is that the general consensus is it is better to leave dad with mum until a few weeks after mum has given birth. The dad helps out a lot so it is much better for all if they are kept as a family. It's worth checking with others, like betty as I know she is very experienced with regard to this and can tell you exactly when it's best to remove the dad.

[betty]

If the male was in with the female for more than a few hours BEFORE you saw the pups - or the pups are older than newborn - then the female is almost certainly pregnant again already. Gerbils pair back up directly after birth and usually before the new pups have even been fed the first time.

That is why you may as well leave the male in with her to help - as she can't get pregnant twice so to speak.

Gerbils are fine to have two litters in a row and no harm is noticed when this happens unlike with other animals - this arrangement with gerbils is even encouraged so that the mum isn't alone raising the first litter - or the second. Unlike hamsters and rats for example, the female are the boss of the male/female clan and the males make great dads.

Additionally - and I may have misinterpreted your wording - but you said you were going to reintroduce them again anyway - so not really sure why you took them apart in the first place? Usually gerbil breeders pair up a couple, have the two litters and then put some male pups with dad and a female pup with mum and they usually retire after that (unless the male is needed to use with other females).

Taking a male and female pair apart and then together again after each separate litter isn't usually a good option as mum is doing all the hard work alone - and you always have to split tank them back together each time just incase. But, perhaps is an option that some people are happy to take.

Also, if you are going to take him in and out - then perhaps you will need to invest in a suitable tank for him anyway each time - he sounds incredibly stressed where he is right now.

Could you tell us a bit more about them Tebby, your plans and how we can help offer more advice if needed. Hope the pups are ok so far too - was it a big litter?

[Markpd]

spotlessleopardd
Also, what size is his temporary cage and how deep is the bedding? Is he also incessantly digging in corners btw?

[betty]

This is where I wrote the other answer SpotlessLeopardd - so although all the above is true - it isn't applicable to your situation if you have had the male neutered.

See yoru other thread for my updates.