|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 7, 2021 8:59:45 GMT -8
Certainly not an uncommon thread here but Im really panicking right now. This morning I checked on my gerbils, who are put in another room over night. Both were acting odd and the now apparently mom was squeaking at the dad and me. I noticed she looked a lot skinner all the sudden and I gently dug in her nest because I was really scared there were going to be pups. Theres 4 of them. I separated the dad right away and im not sure I should put him back yet. Im also terrified shes going to eat her babies and I dont know what to do. We're currently getting another tank for dad just in case, I do know that hes already had a litter so im not sure if that helps.
edit - put dad back in as I read that was what I should do. I have no idea if he got her pregnant again, I think they are newborns, I cleaned the tank yesterday and there were no babies
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 7, 2021 14:57:05 GMT -8
Are you still there skylion44 - did you put the dad back in successfully!
|
|
|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 7, 2021 20:04:25 GMT -8
Are you still there skylion44 - did you put the dad back in successfully! I think so? I’m not quite sure, neither will stop mating now and I’m really not sure what to do.
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 8, 2021 4:22:17 GMT -8
When you say neither will stop mating - are they actually mating mating - or are they rubbing each other all over their scent glands to form a strong bond again.
Just that if they are are doing either for more than 12 hours I might get a bit concerned as to why - but they will take time to settle back down with the mum as boss and so she is happy he is the right dad for her pups.
As long as they aren't actively sparring with each other or doing any 'just chasing'
Anyway, do the pups seem ok that you can tell (you don't need to go peek back in just that you are almost certain they are all still warm in the nest?
Mums nipples will become more obvious (as bald-looking smudges on her under tummy) while she is feeding - so getting her to stretch up on her tippie-toes for a treat facing her tummy towards you will help you spot them and knw she is feeding someone.
|
|
|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 8, 2021 7:36:04 GMT -8
They might have just been rubbing against each other but it did look a bit like mounting to me. To be honest I didn't really watch... I think they've stopped now but I'm not 100% sure. The dad has been briefly kicked out from the nest, but I've read thats normal. He was spooked by the babies when he went down the wrong tunnel though I currently have the tank in the bathroom because it is a nice warm and quiet room, and I'm distance learning currently and I know both mom and dad get riled up when I talk. The nest is currently right up against the glass so I can see the babies when mom leaves the nest to grab food, and all four are wiggling around and chirping. I was halfway through switching foods for them but unfortunately the one I got (oxbow) says its specifically not for pregnant or nursing gerbils (oops) so I went back to the original food (Kaytee Forti-diet) though Im not a huge fan of the quality control. Im planning on keeping all of them as well, since there are only four but Im making plans for the second litter. Honestly the main thing thats stressing me out is that unfortunately the dad is also the moms dad. I adopted them believing I had a father son pair, and Im a little concerned about what this means for the babies health. Thank you so much for your help so far
|
|
|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 8, 2021 7:40:10 GMT -8
also I want to quick add that I have a light towel over the tank so they dont get overwhelmed
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 8, 2021 10:31:59 GMT -8
Well, the fact they are closely related can expose anything already in their lines - but won't directly cause anything to go wrong per se. It may expose fixed-wrists, kinked tails, or infertility - nothing that will affect their health directly hopefully.
And anyway - you are already on that road - so keeping them yourself will be a good option as then you will be able to keep a close eye on them.
Just hope her second litter isn't a 10! Otherwise you will need a lot of new tanks...
|
|
|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 8, 2021 19:58:08 GMT -8
So mom keeps moving all the babies, I think it’s when I try to check on them to make sure their all still ok. I’ll leave her alone tomorrow, I’m just really stressed about the babies, they just seem so tiny and fragile and I’ve never done anything like this before.
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 9, 2021 14:57:06 GMT -8
You don't need to keep checking them really - as not only are the parents really good at these things anyway - but there isn't really anything you can do? Even if you spot one is ill - they are almost imposible to hand-rear - so it would just create even more stress for you.
There is nothing you need to check them for that you can change - or need to seeing as this is just a one-off accidental litter.
Obviously, things like; are they near a ledge, near some bars; or is the water dish somewhere they can fall in - are all things you CAN check - but going in the nest isn't something you need to do at all.
It would be less stressful for both of you if you just set the alarm for the 14th March and waited until they were furred up a bit, then mum might be less stressed. They might start running around themselves from the 18th onwards.
|
|
|
Post by skylion44 on Mar 15, 2021 6:53:30 GMT -8
Heres a picture from when I held them yesterday! They all seem super strong and healthy. I held them this morning though and one took a little tumble off my lap, I was sitting on the ground so it wasn't far and they seemed fine right after, and even tried to climb up my arm. Im still worried for them, I know falls can be dangerous for pups and I knew they could move fast, I just wasn't expecting them to launch themself with that amount of force!
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 15, 2021 15:00:47 GMT -8
Ah bless - although I can't seem to see the picture?
And yes, baby gerbils can ping like popcorn - especially once their eyes open! Ideally don't hold them on your hands more than an inch or two off the ground surface. If you need to move them from enclosure to playpen or wherever - always do it in a jar or tub you can hold your hand over like a lid.
|
|