Very new bonding split cage help

[jojess]

Hi I'm only 1 week into gerbils and need some advice please. Got 2 females 1 week ago they young but not sure how old. Pet shop said 8 to 12wks. After 1 day home 1 died looked like in her sleep.so sad for my daughter who been wanting gerbils for years. No fights or anything. Trying to now bond a 2nd young female with remaining gerbil. So had the 1st gerbil 4days and bought 2nd home to a split cage.they been in there now 2 days. Shall I start moving them over to the other side ? They have had 1 sniff through the bars and that's really it. The 1st one looks a little bigger so I'm taking shes prob 3 weeks or little more older has a quick look sometimes but then spends most of her time asleep. The other newest one seems hypo. She has a wheel and lives on it all the time. Non stop. She also nibbles us as soon as our hand goes in but I'm thinking this could just be shes is so new to all this only 2 days here. And she possibly hasnt been handled much. It's all very stressful as I didnt expect I'd be doing this at all . I have huge family health issues and they were bought to help my daughter through what's going to be a awful time, giving her purpose and something to care for and bond towards. I really dont want to add to her stress and mine. So trying to do this right the first time. I wasnt aware you were suppose to leave the split cage quite bare. So I have a wheel and a bridge cover and toilet rolls in the younger ones side. She cannot do without that wheel so I need to transfer the wheel when I move her. The other hasnt been interested in it from day 1. The other side I have a little house and a long plastic tube and toilet rolls. Can I swap them today and should it be 3 times ? Leaving them to sleep in the newer side ? Or do I leave a bit longer as the newer one so new. It's all very confusing when you havnt a clue. Thanks anyone for any advise. Really welcomed at this time

[betty]

You are doing fine so far - you have the two gerbils and they are in a suitable split tank - and calm. Tick.

Now you just need to get them going - so side-swapping is a must. You are right about the 3 times a day (or other odd amount) so they sleep in each other's side each night. And some people do have wheels and tunnels in with them to reduce stress at first (but I would suggest that as you reach the final crescendo - you gradually strip it out so they focus entirely on each other only).

Have a read of this post as I find it covers all the main points you need to know even though the actual enclosures can be varied - How To Split Tank - other posts on there go into more detail if you have a read around. Also, search on here for past threads too as recently we have been discussing not having totally empty split tanks and how that has affected the outcome.

If both your females are young - this could all go much faster than usual - but with females you never really know until you try your first meet up - so watch out for the good signs.

[jojess]

Hi Betty. Thank you I will read that thread now. Day 2 of transferring and neither seems bothered when they are in the other side. Both are curious and climb the wire but never seem to be there at the same time. The pet shop told me to put them both in the bath after 2 days to try bond them while they still young saying a week or 2 can make all the difference to their age but I think that could be too soon reading the threads on here.its catch 22. Dont let them get too big but dont rush. I've taken all out of each side except toilet rolls and a house each. This was left in so they would sleep where the other did instead of burrowing a new den. I just thought they would be trying to see each other alot more. Both at the same time . The other thought I had was when I finally introduce them. I cant remove the split and have read somewhere they have familiar smells is better so was just going to put them in old container box with bit if their bedding . Can you put them in and just literally let them sniff and take them out, keep doing that each day instead of leaving them longer. I am really anxious about the meet and if I dont get them out in time before 1 gets hurt . I know I will split them up at the slightest hint of a tussle probably very prematurely. Thanks so much for the advise. I used to have Guineas and being on their forum was a godsend. I got so much help and advise

[teambenji543]

Hello! I agree two days seems a bit too short. My two females took about a full week of split cage. I switched their sides many times each day. It’s also okay if they don’t seem so Into each other, its actually a good thing that they don’t feel that the other gerbil is a threat! Once you feel comfortable about putting them together You can let them meet everyday in a neutral environment, but just make sure to watch them really carefully. You might want to wear a glove or have a towel ready so that if you do have to split them up, you won’t get bitten. When I was bonding my two gerbils, I would put them in a playpen and sit with them for hours until I was sure that they were bonded. Since they’re young it should be fine, sleeping together and grooming each other are really good signs! Good luck! I hope your gerbils get along!

Also, I have guinea pigs as well!

[tanzanyte]

Welcome to the forum jojess
It sounds like it's been a difficult time and I'm sorry it's happened so early into your experience with gerbils, and at a time when it sounds like you could well do without the additional stress.
The biting may be that she doesn't fully understand what is food and what isn't. One of our youngest girls is very hyper and she would nibble initially, but she soon stopped after a week or two. It helps to make sure you wash your hands in very bland soap, all of the fruity stuff definitely doesn't help. Also rub your hands in their bedding so that you smell less alien to them. Hopefully this will help and when they are paired up they will be amazing for your daughter.
We bought gerbils for a similar reason for my daughter and it was the best thing. We had one that was more frightened, but the other was so chilled out that my daughter could have her out for an hour and she'd happily stay and be stroked or explore my daughters bed. It can take a while as they are so bright, incredibly curious and incapable of staying still when they are young, but they calm as they mature.

I hope the intro goes well and that your daughter can soon get to know her gerbils and have fun with them. Hopefully they will help her through any tough times ahead.

[jojess]

Thank you everyone for such kind words and advise. So it's been 5 days of split cage . They seem to be ships in the night one goes to the wire the other is busy. Then that one goes up and puts her nose through and the other has gone. We had the occasional sniff and they sleep in each others beds but that's all. The biting has calmed down lots so if we can just get them happy together I think the rest will follow. I think my original gerbil saffi will try be the dominant one as she was when we got her , it's just if the newer one will put up a fight. I think the pet shop was concerned that they were already getting older and days mattered in their age and early bonding but like you all say I feel it's better to do it slow even if they are a few weeks older by the time they hopefully bond. I feel I want to put them together for a few minutes soon , I think more due to the frustration of them not both being at the wire together more than anything. So just having them out maybe once a day for literally a min to sniff and then go back in the cage is a good thing? I don't want to do the wrong thing and delay everything more. Thank you again for your help. Really is appreciated

[jojess]

I wanted to start introducing them both very slowly for literally mins a day. Having read this should be done for best results in their split cage, it's not possible for mine as the split it taped down and doesnt slide. I was going to put some bedding from each side in a container and use that. I know I'm then going to possibly have issues if all goes well in their own split cage. Is there any way I can help this. Maybe get each one out for a run in the container so they both see it as familiar? I dont really know what's best thanks for any advise

[jojess]

Sorry quick update. Put them both in container with mix of their bedding. Spent first 3 or 4 mins running round trying to see where they were. I know this is prob the biggest reason you try introduce in somewhere they know. Then slightly older one seemed to pin other down who turned sort of on her back and part in a ball. Happened so fast and all I saw was ball and I split them up. It was possibly too soon but I didnt want accidents or blood. I new saffi would want to be the dominant one , it's just if the other is ok with that as shes very outgoing too. Do I try again in 3 to 4 days? Thanks

[yeti218]

I know theres different methods to introduce gerbils after a split, but I'm not very knowledgeable about what you're doing right now. The whole putting them together in a seperate container with some bedding for a few minutes? So I'm not suggesting you're doing anything wrong, just that I'm not familiar with this method.

I wouldn't be that worried or frustrated that they're not sniffing at each other through the mesh. Apathy is better than straight up obsession.


You were right to break up the fight and put them back in the split. Keep doing the side swaps and wait for a good time to try another introduction.


The most common way I hear of people doing it is when they think the time is right, they pick a day when they'll be able to observe the gerbils all day and theyll remove the split and see what happens.

I think they usually do one last swap 30 min before removing the divider.

You'll want to be able to supervise closely for the first hour or two, and then more passively for the rest of the day (so be in the same room or within earshot - but maybe put your daughter on gerbil supervision duty after the first few hours if things are going well).

You'll want to have gloves and a gerbil catching pot handy so you can break up a fight if you need.

[jojess]

I'm trying to leave the next meet up for as long as possible. But time is passing and we have had 1 3wks now and the other nearly 2 wks. Having nothing in the cage and not getting them out has been awful. They just sit in their nests most the time doing nothing. They look so fed up. So its probably wrong but I put a little carrot house in each side. They jumped and ran about and climbed the cage for a bit. Sniffed each other twice in total and that was it. The dominant one saffi really wanted to get through the bars which worries me but the other isnt over bothered which I know is good. I will take the houses back out in the morning and maybe some bedding and see if that helps. Its early days but I cant see this being a quick success at all now. I just want it to work or I will have ti get a big split glass cage made for them to stay apart.

[betty]

Did you read that article - as you may have seen that usually you do plan to have them meet together as though it is for ever. And having them in the split cage totally bored is how you need to hem to be - so that they will hopefully crave the attention of the other gerbil and be more amenable to be friends.

If they are still paying each other little attention, and you haven't seen any signs of aggresion, then perhaps schedule in a day for their introduction?

If you are prepared leading up to it and during it - they can't hurt each other - so if you are unsure that that day is the day - split them back up and revert to split swapping a few days more before triying again. On the day of the fail - by all means give them something to do or play with for a day or two before setting back at it.

I did however just see a recommendation on another thread for a different introduction method which sounded like they suggested letting them meet for short 15 minute sessions once or twice a day - fully supervised - to see how they far together first. I have never tried this way - but perhaps it will give you an idea of how they feel about each other first? Simlarly, if properly supervised - they shouldn't be able to harm each other and the split can continue.

[jojess]

Thanks for the advise. I did read the post and get the boredom thing, but although they bored they still not sniffing much. They just sleep all the time and never seem to move. But on the first meet the slightly elder saffi who will want to be dominant pinned the other one taffi down. And I'm not sure if taffi will take it. I'd like to intro them in the cage but taking the split outs hard as its taped all the way round from bottom to top and sides. I personally dont think they ready but I'm over cautious and prob never will think this is it, let's go for it Haha.

[betty]

Well, one of them has to be dominant and the other just has to accept it - so sometimes there will be a bit of pinning down in the first half hour of a split as the one who wants to be the boss is just checking that the other one 'understands' that.

Not always nice to watch - but if there is no direct fighting or retaliation - then you just let it ride out.

And a lot of them meeting is about how you feel. If you are too nervous, you might read the signs wrong: but the only downside is that it usually takes longer in that case - and taking longer itself is usually a positive thing.

[jojess]

Hi I've been keeping an eye on them over the last few days and notice more the slightly older one putting her nose thru the bars as far as she possibly can . Today the other instead of having a quick sniff and going seemed to be grooming her nose I think. But then I'm not sure if she nipped her as the elder saffi jumped as if she didnt like and ran off and hid. There was mo movement or noise of any sort to scare her. Is this normal ? I dont want the younger one thinking shes now going to be the boss or I will never end up putting them together in fear. It's all very stressful doing the right thing for them both with no blood hopefully

[teambenji543]

Hmm. Did you check her nose? Was there any blood? Maybe she tried to groom her nose, but then the older one got startled and ran off. Gerbils can be skittish.