How often to free roam?

[PipSqueak]

Since first free roaming Pip I have only done a few times. He has been jumping and trying to latch onto the lid and so I let him out for around 30 minutes yesterday evening. The problem seemed to be solved until
tonight. So I am going to have to let him out every day from now on. I have no clue why he decides to do this, Squeak has no problem (he also hasn’t had a taste of freedom yet) but they have plenty of space, bedding, and enrichment. Even when I give them things that they usually don’t get he goes back to that. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and how often others free roam their gerbils. Maybe I should be doing it every evening even if this wasn’t happening?

[yeti218]

My guys like to come put every 3-4 days. I have a tube I put in their cage that they can use to come out into the room. If I offer them free roam more than every 3rd or 4th day, they just wont come out.

My guys are around 2 years old.

[Markpd]

I technically don't allow my boys to free roam, my lounge isn't suitable in itself and I don't have a pen for them to roam around in. That said, I did used to let them roam on the sofa, Avon didn't like it and was almost immediately panicky and jumpy, Blake would like to explore it for about 5 minutes and then get jumpy. Also, when I do spot cleaning and feeding etc, I let them out of the cage if they want (they can jump onto ledges to get out), they then rummage around in the Rotastak cage sat next to the main cage, or go to the sandpen I setup for them in a storage box (the access the latter via a tube). For ages Blake has happily made his way there, (and often hangs over the edge in anticipation as I bring the tube over! He actually 1/2 fell of the edge the other day, hanging by his back legs! ), Avon was much more reluctant, and until very recently he'd only go there if I put him in the tube, but finally he's been wanting to go there under his own steam

Anyway, interested to hear what other peoples experiences are.

yeti218
Interesting they don't want to come out every day, have they always been like that?

[LilyandDaisy]

Lily would be out all evening, every evening if she had her way. When she doesn't get her way she protests by attacking the cage mesh and scrabbling furiously at the wooden shelf in front of the cage door. If I ignore her she stops after a few minutes and does something else. I know she's attention seeking because she only does it at times when she knows there's a reasonable chance she might be let out (so she never does it in the morning because I never let her out in the morning). I let them out 2-3 times a week for about an hour each time.

Gerbils don't need to come out every day if they have a big, enriched tank (which I know you do). Some gerbils will always want to be out because it's just more fun than being in their cage, and that doesn't necessarily mean they're unhappy. I would try if you can to block his access to the tank lid, to hopefully break the habit.

[PipSqueak]

I have lowered the platforms so now it isn’t tall enough for them to just stand and be able to reach it. I made them the lowest I could without being in the bedding but he either climbs his coconut hide or jumps until he can latch onto the mesh. I will free roam him tonight as it usually helps.

[yeti218]

Oct 4, 2021 11:43:30 GMT -8 Markpd said:

yeti218
Interesting they don't want to come out every day, have they always been like that?

Yes, for as long as I've had them which is 1 year. I just assume they are busy with their important work and dont always have time for me. I take it as a sign their cage is enriching enough (although I would not assume the issue was necessarily lack of enrichment if they did want to come out daily- I think some gerbils are just more adventurous or want more socialization with their owner)

I will add that I usually let them out in the afternoon. They may be more likely to come out daily if I offered them the opportunity to free roam later in the evening.

[PipSqueak]

I let him free roam last night and he wasn’t jumping up or chewing on anything. I guess I will just have to do this from now on every night.

[tanzanyte]

It's really interesting that your gerbils don't want to come out everyday Yeti. Although they are older than mine so I wonder if it's more than mine have always had extra outside space.
My four free roam every day, but technically it's still their home as they have a permanent outside space where they can get in and out of their cage. That said we also allow the boys to free roam around the whole room 2+ times a week which they love, although Pepsi will frequently run back to his enclosure and then back out again - he's a lot more skittish than Max.
The girls are another matter and are still not comfortable and calm being held. We do have them on the sofa and Little My is mostly ok but Mymble not so much. They are happy in their own area though.
We have definitely found that any play time is infinitely better if they have a way of getting in and out of their own cage, they definitely get braver and like to stay out for longer when they know they aren't trapped.

LilyandDaisy, I know exactly what you're talking about with the attention seeking. Vanilla used to chew the bars to get my attention, especially after her sister died. She knew I would take her out. They certainly aren't daft!