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Post by sparkbubble on Mar 31, 2022 13:19:59 GMT -8
My gerbil is having pups soon. Here are some conditions that my gerbil will be in:
-20 gallon tank w/ 2 inches of substrate, paper, with a few hand-cut standard white paper shreds & Toilet paper for nesting
-1 box for housing, 3 chambers
-toys include paper rolls, egg carton, hay sticks, loofah, a small wood chew, and one willow ball (could a pup get trapped in it??)
-3 ceramic dishes so that I can monitor how much my gerbils are eating and drinking. Once the pups have arrived, I will be replacing the dishes with scatter-feeding and suspended water drips.
-Male will be allowed to serve as the father (even if this means that she will be pregnant again.) By the second litter, I have been told that the daughters may take his place and help the mother care for the pups.
Is there anything I'm missing? I know that my gerbil needs a simple environment with little interference. I feed my gerbils vita prima w/ vegetables 2x a week. Does a pregnant gerbil require any extra supplements? (ps, what foods are high in protein? they are supposed to be good for pregnant gerbs....)
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Post by betty on Apr 10, 2022 1:57:41 GMT -8
This a quite a few days old now - are you still needing advice on these things?
Quick answers just incase but can elaborate if you need:
*Everything looks great as listed - and pups don't normally start running around until after Day 15 really so you have time to readjust anything you are still unsure about.
I tend to keep my enclosure virtually the same as without pups - although I am more aware to NOT MOVE ANYTHING without having seen FOR SURE that the pus aren't there. I never put anything solid BACK IN the enclosure on top of any substrate while there are any pups in the whole enclosure as they can move fast and be underneath anything. If adding anything solid, I push all the substrate to one side - or temprarily remove it - and only place them on the base glass surface.
I avoid anything balancing on anything else for the same reason - this includes placing a food,treat or water dish on top of anything already in the enclosure that isn't a sealed unit (ie a cube with a side-opening hole) - you could well be trapping a pup moving underneath it. I also make sure that where I can I remove anything that can fall or be knocked over.
If they are in a non solid nest - perhaps offer a solid-topped one at the other end of the enclosure (after clearing a space) so mum can safely move the pups into it if she wants to. This might limit your peeking ability if that is what you want to do (although top opening houses are available) but it will keep the pups a lot safer overall.
Food-wise - offering oats, sunflower hearts, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, egg biscuits and calciworms/waxworms alongside her normal food)is an easy way for mum to keep up her energy - and great first foods for pups to try once they realise they are in control of their own hands. Dad's often take advantage and eat most of it though - so make sure there is enough to go around for mum...
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Post by sparkbubble on Apr 11, 2022 15:33:25 GMT -8
Thanks! I have been hand-feeding the mother about 10 pumpkin seeds a day and she's no fatter for it, which is strange, because I haven't been deliberately feeding the father and yet, he's getting a bit hefty. I am not going to put anything solid in the tank besides cardboard and a small wood block or two. I actually made a cardboard wheel with non-toxic glue. I hope it works. Also, When the mother will give birth next time, I plan on cutting out a 'lid' for the nest box so I don't need to rattle around the entire house.
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Post by sparkbubble on Apr 11, 2022 15:35:38 GMT -8
are straight eggs ok? if I boil an egg, could I feed it to my gerbil in little pieces? I assume cooking an egg in olive oil would not be good for a gerbil, though.
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Post by LilyandDaisy on Apr 12, 2022 0:59:13 GMT -8
are straight eggs ok? if I boil an egg, could I feed it to my gerbil in little pieces? I assume cooking an egg in olive oil would not be good for a gerbil, though. Yes, eggs are fine and there's no reason why a bit of olive oil would be bad for a gerbil. |
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Post by betty on Apr 18, 2022 9:26:42 GMT -8
Yes, mum won't gain weight while she is feeding the pups unless you really over fill her with high density nutrients - but than she will have been missing out on all the other essential nutrients - so as long as she isn't LOSING weight - you have the balance right.
And yes, nearly all males gain weight in a pairing - darling lumps that they are!
Did she like the eggs in oil?
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Post by sparkbubble on Apr 21, 2022 4:52:19 GMT -8
Well, she didn't like the eggs, boiled or cooked. The father just stepped on them. I guess my gerbs aren't the egg type. Back to pumpkin seeds.
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Post by betty on Apr 24, 2022 12:33:08 GMT -8
Oh dear - not the best.
Perhaps try the veggie or fruity egg bisuits from Mr Johnsons - or buy some egg mix used for canaries/finches etc. if you are keen on the egg-based options.
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